Compare Hollow Knight: Silksong vs Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Checkpointing is a common concern, with long runbacks, sparse benches, paid benches, and poor placement repeatedly criticized.

The checkpoint system is praised as a quality-of-life improvement because it reduces frustration around difficult optional challenges.

Camera and hitbox-adjacent behavior draws criticism where bosses or damage windows appear from off-screen or feel overly generous.

Camera behavior is praised in one review for intelligently changing framing to support mood, traversal, and visual depth.

World-building is one of the strongest areas, with reviewers praising Pharloom as immaculate, complex, sad, and worth exploring.

World-building is weak in the evidence that explicitly says not to expect captivating world building from the campy action story.

Accessibility is criticized as limited, with reviews noting the game is not trying to be accessible to everyone and lacks broader options.

Accessibility options are praised for adjustable difficulty, assist settings, and sliders that make the challenge more approachable without fully flattening it.

Emotional impact is strong, ranging from adrenaline and triumph to reviewers saying they shed tears or were moved by events.

Emotional impact is limited in the review evidence, with one reviewer wishing for a stronger moment of emotional weight.

Side character depth receives positive evidence from a review praising Pharloom’s supporting characters as charming and motivated.

Side character depth is weak in the evidence focused on Ankou, whom one reviewer calls dull despite liking the broader visual design.

Writing quality receives strong praise where reviewers call it top-notch and tied to Hornet’s conversations and character insight.

Writing quality is mixed-to-weak, with reviewers describing the script as fine, tropey, or not especially nuanced.

Frame rate stability has limited but positive evidence from a Switch 2 review calling 120fps performance perfect.

Frame rate stability is mixed, especially on Switch, where reviewers note dips or painful frame-rate issues despite otherwise strong presentation.

Dialogue is mixed-to-positive: one review calls it shockingly good, while another says it can feel dry at times.

Dialogue quality is uneven: one review criticizes a dull character, and another finds paused dialogue barks jarring despite fun narrative moments.

Onboarding is a weak spot for some, especially in the opening hours where resources, checkpoints, and tutorial clarity are less generous.

Onboarding is praised for easing the player into each move rather than overwhelming them with the full combat kit at once.

Tutorial quality is criticized through comparison with Hollow Knight’s clearer early tutorial structure and more generous opening support.

Tutorial quality is positive where one reviewer says the early tutorials made combat options easy to understand and apply.

Sound design earns strong support from praise for surface-specific details and top-notch audio touches.

Sound design is mixed: impact feedback and combat audio are praised, but one reviewer strongly disliked the harsh radio or speaker filter.

Character development is praised for Hornet softening through Pharloom and for character arcs that counterbalance the harsh world.

Character development is limited overall, with one reviewer liking a supporting character but another calling broader character depth minimal.

Narrative quality is praised as more focused and engaging than the original, helped by Hornet’s voice and guided exploration.

Narrative quality is the most mixed creative element: some call it one of the franchise’s better stories, while many describe it as simple, thin, or tonally inconsistent.

The learning curve is steep, with reviewers noting hours of mastery and occasional git-gud walls, but also rewarding skill growth.

The learning curve is favorable because reviewers describe the combat as simple to engage with while still rewarding mastery.

Performance is praised on lower-end hardware, Switch platforms, and 120fps contexts, with only minor visual caveats.

Performance optimization varies by platform and context, with PS5 impressions strong but Switch-oriented reviews noting optimization and frame-pacing caveats.

Immersion is strongly supported by one review’s comment about Pharloom lingering after play.

Immersion is supported by strong presentation and visual depth, though one reviewer says the game remained enjoyable without strongly resonating.

Lore depth is praised for hidden mysteries, optional heritage threads, and deeper history that rewards curiosity.

Lore depth gets mild praise where the reviewer appreciates Shinobi’s blend of cultural mythological elements.

Endgame content receives strong support from optional endings, zones, bosses, and post-credits discoveries.

Endgame content is generally seen as useful for replay through Arcade Mode, Boss Rush, superbosses, and ranking challenges, though one reviewer sees arcade mode as padding.

Level design is strongly praised for seamless area flow, purposeful rooms, thoughtful platform placement, and dense Metroidvania structure.

Level design is usually praised for scale, variety, secrets, and challenge structure, but some reviewers criticize flow, pacing, or underused combat spaces.

The soundtrack is one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly described as magnificent, excellent, world-class, and emotionally fitting.

The soundtrack is mostly praised as energetic, fitting, and memorable, though one review finds it weaker than the visuals and Genesis-era expectations.

Enemy variety is strong in scope, but evidence is mixed because flying enemies, monster rooms, and certain mobs can feel annoying.

Enemy variety is a strength, with reviewers praising the range of ninjas, soldiers, monsters, bosses, and specialized foes that shape encounters.

Fast travel is praised in one review for reducing backtracking tedium through well-marked routes.

Fast travel is repeatedly praised for making revisits, secret hunting, and post-completion cleanup smoother rather than tedious.

Platforming precision is mixed: reviewers admire Hornet’s acrobatics, but several criticize the diagonal pogo or inconsistent bounce feel.

Platforming is often praised as tight, precise, and rewarding, though several reviewers flag optional challenge rooms or late-game traversal as frustrating or inconsistent.

Atmosphere is a major strength, described as surreal, haunting, dreadful, beautiful, and full of wonder and horror.

Atmosphere is supported by presentation touches such as camera framing and mood-setting scenes that help the 2D spaces feel more dramatic.

Puzzle design receives limited but positive evidence, with one review saying Silksong makes puzzle-solving and hidden-path discovery feel effortless.

Puzzle design receives a mild positive note for being logical and not slowing the action down.

User interface design has limited positive evidence around attractive mission HUD illustrations and attention to detail.

User interface design receives praise for being clean and easy to navigate.

Innovation is positive but measured: reviewers praise new directions and system changes, while one calls it evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

Innovation is praised where reviewers say the game evolves Shinobi meaningfully instead of merely repeating the past.

Hornet is consistently praised as an excellent, charismatic, well-rounded protagonist with stronger presence than the silent Knight.

Protagonist appeal is positive where Joe Musashi is described as a compelling, badass ninja fantasy rather than a talkative character.

Pacing has a notable concern around long checkpoint placement that interrupts practice and repetition in challenging sequences.

Pacing is mixed: several reviewers like the length and steady tool rollout, while others say long stages, revisit loops, or samey rhythm weaken momentum.

Replay value trends high for completionists and build experimenters, though one reviewer said they were glad to play it only once.

Replay value is strong for completionists thanks to collectibles, secrets, stage revisits, Arcade Mode, Boss Rush, ranks, and unlockables, though not every reviewer loves revisiting.

Exploration is a standout, with most reviewers praising dense secrets, rewarding routes, and curiosity-driven discovery, though a few disliked sparse rewards or risk pressure.

Exploration is divisive: many enjoy secrets, replayable routes, and rewards, while others find backtracking or Metroidvania-lite detours less compelling.

Progression is generally praised for fresh upgrades and satisfying forward motion, but one review criticizes opaque true-ending requirements.

Progression is praised for steadily adding moves, abilities, upgrades, and customization that keep combat and traversal evolving.

Value for money is exceptional across reviews, especially because of the low price, large content volume, and long completion potential.

Value for money is positive overall, especially for combat-focused or completionist players, though one review frames value as more moderate for players skipping side content.

Map and navigation design is mixed: several reviews praise map structure and direction, but others dislike incomplete map support and 100% cleanup.

Map and navigation design is mixed: reviewers like map clarity and fast travel, but some cite confusing secret tracking or unclear pits.

The core loop is praised as pure Metroidvania satisfaction: tough encounters, discovery, and rewarding progression through new areas.

The core loop is widely liked as fast, stylish 2D action with strong combat and traversal, with a few reviewers calling it great despite structural complaints.

Difficulty is the most divisive attribute: many reviewers call it rewarding and intentional, while others find it cruel, too punishing, or unfairly frictional.

Difficulty is generally viewed as fair and satisfying, but opinions split on spikes, projectile-heavy sections, undertuned enemies, and some hard optional challenges.

Crests, tools, and upgrades are widely seen as flexible and creative, though a few reviews found early limitations or resource-linked tool use frustrating.

The upgrade system is praised for meaningful amulets, combat additions, and flexible build choices that alter playstyle.

Combat is a major strength, described as fast, precise, tense, dance-like, and rewarding, though some reviews tie its highs to demanding difficulty.

Combat is the most consistently praised attribute, with reviewers calling it fluid, deep, expressive, satisfying, and central to the game’s appeal.

Originality is praised where Silksong is seen as firmly on its own path rather than a simple copy.

Originality is praised where reviewers call the revival fresh for the series rather than a simple nostalgic retread.

Control feel is strongly praised, with one review emphasizing complete control of Hornet and another calling the Switch 2 Pro Controller perfect.

Controls are usually described as smooth, tight, intuitive, and responsive, with a few caveats around moments where scripted control loss or platforming inputs feel awkward.

Boss design is broadly praised as memorable, choreographed, varied, and exciting, though some reviews dislike spongey health pools, rewards, or runbacks.

Boss design earns many positive notes for memorable, exciting encounters, though a few reviewers find some bosses too easy, clunky, or mechanically weaker than regular fights.

Fun factor is high overall, with reviewers repeatedly saying they had great fun, wanted to return, or found the game compelling despite pain.

Fun factor is high, with many reviewers calling the combat, challenge rooms, and overall ninja fantasy enjoyable or easy to recommend.

Content variety is praised through multiple game-like challenge types, many systems, and plentiful options, while remaining tied to high difficulty.

Content variety is strong across stage themes, optional challenges, enemy encounters, bonus levels, and replay modes, though some side segments are less loved.

Hornet’s movement is one of the clearest consensus wins, with reviewers praising her speed, agility, sprinting, and dance-like traversal.

Movement feel is heavily praised as fast, fluid, snappy, and fun, though one Switch review notes combat can feel slower than traversal.

Review evidence frames the broader mechanics as more complex than the original, especially through Hornet’s expanded combat and movement options.

Gameplay mechanics are praised for depth and power fantasy, though one reviewer argues an execution mechanic lacks meaningful challenge pressure.

Faithfulness to franchise is strongly supported by reviews saying it captures, continues, and improves on Hollow Knight while standing apart.

Reviewers broadly describe the revival as faithful to Shinobi’s legacy while modernizing it with new structure, combat depth, and visual presentation.

Animation quality has limited but strong evidence, with reviewers noting gorgeous animation within the hand-drawn presentation.

Animation quality is a standout, especially Joe’s motion, hand-drawn character work, and the way combat and traversal read in motion.

Polish is praised through meticulous design and presentation, though only one scored review directly supports the attribute.

Polish is praised where reviewers highlight the game as well put together and visually refined.

Art direction receives near-universal praise for hand-drawn beauty, color variety, style, and a distinctive visual identity.

The hand-drawn art direction receives near-universal praise for its style, cohesion, painterly look, and strong franchise fit.

Environmental detail is repeatedly praised, from dense small touches to rooms and backgrounds that make Pharloom feel lived-in.

Environmental detail stands out in reviews that praise painterly backgrounds, large-scale set pieces, and richly detailed level backdrops.

Graphics quality is praised for a stunning hand-drawn world and a visual style that feels playful, dark, and richly realized.

Graphics quality is a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling the game gorgeous, beautiful, and visually impressive.

Mission design earns positive evidence where missions give players reasons to revisit areas and make NPC discoveries feel more purposeful.

Mission design is praised through comments about well-crafted stages that mix platforming, combat, puzzles, and optional routes.

Bug frequency is a concern in one review that reports a severe save-wipe issue, even though other technical impressions were cleaner.

Crafting has negative evidence where shard requirements pull the player away from action into repetitive resource hunting.

Crash stability is strong in the PS5 review that reports no crashes, soft-locks, or freezes over a long playthrough.

The rosary and shard economy is the most repeated systems complaint, often described as stingy, grindy, or slightly misbalanced.

Flying mechanics are mildly criticized in the glider’s case, with the reviewer saying it slows down otherwise snappy traversal.

Grind level is criticized where resource depletion and boss attempts can push players toward needless grinding.

Handheld suitability has positive evidence from Steam Deck performance and battery life comments.

Horror tension receives limited positive support from the dream/nightmare tone described in one review.

HUD clarity receives a mixed score because flashy combat effects can make the player lose track of the action.

Load times receive a positive note from one Switch reviewer who says they did not take too long.

Loot and rewards are a weaker point, with reviewers complaining about bosses or difficult paths that provide little or disappointing material payoff.

Menu usability is praised through the clean, easy-to-navigate interface that removes friction around fast travel and play.

Mission variety is supported by praise for fresh objectives and distinct environments across the stages.

Platform-specific support has positive evidence from ultrawide support that improves immersion.

Quest design is split: some reviewers like wishes and missions as structure, while others criticize boring or grindy fetch quests.

Save reliability is split: one review praises frequent saves, while another reports the serious problem of a save being wiped twice.

Visual effects are praised for stylish Ninjutsu, cinematic flourishes, audiovisual impact, and bold combat feedback.

Voice acting receives mixed-to-positive reactions: some reviews praise the performances, while others call the English voices merely fine or jarring.

World interactivity has limited but strong support from one review that praises evolving locations, reactive hubs, and organic backtracking.