Compare Assassin’s Creed Shadows vs Hollow Knight: Silksong

reviewers list broad accessibility settings, but Polygon specifically reports serious remapping and virtual-keyboard problems.

Reviewers found only a basic accessibility set: camera shake, HUD size, audio sliders, and remapping appear, but difficulty, color-blind, and repeated-input options are called limited or absent.

review evidence emphasizes unusually surreal and bloody violence, making it less appropriate for younger players.

enemy behavior is generally more aggressive and stealth-aware, though one review says the AI can still be cheesed.

animation quality is mixed, with stylish kill moves and cloth/hair physics countered by inconsistent enemy animations.

Animation is repeatedly praised as part of the hand-drawn presentation, especially Hornet's character movement and the many detailed environmental touches.

one review highlights the historically grounded visual framing over stylized fantasy presentation.

The art direction is a major strength, with reviewers emphasizing hand-drawn beauty, richer color, distinctive biomes, and a style that feels carefully authored.

atmosphere is a major strength, with reviewers praising the setting’s sensory and historical presence.

Pharloom's atmosphere blends beauty, melancholy, dread, charm, and danger, creating a world reviewers often describe as memorable even when it frustrates them.

boss design is mixed, with satisfying Yasuke fights contrasted against cramped rooms and camera trouble.

Boss design is one of the strongest areas overall, with many reviewers praising choreography, variety, spectacle, and pattern learning while noting occasional slog or runback friction.

bug reports are mostly light, but evidence includes both remarkably few bugs and some progression-impacting or animation issues.

camera behavior is a notable complaint during crowded or interior combat.

Only one direct camera-related complaint appears, but it is meaningful: a reviewer says some high-speed boss movement leaves threats outside the camera bounds.

Naoe’s arc and the duo’s balance receive praise, but Yasuke’s growth is questioned by some reviewers.

Hornet receives more explicit characterization than the Knight, and reviewers describe her softening through relationships, duty, and reactions to Pharloom's residents.

the playable roster centers on two distinct protagonists, which reviewers often praise but also find uneven.

The supporting cast is repeatedly described as charming and varied, with bug NPCs, pilgrims, fleas, mapmakers, and side characters giving the world personality.

Checkpoint design is the most repeated concern: sparse, paid, trapped, or distant benches and long boss runbacks often turn difficulty into tedium.

most reviewers praised the heavier, parry-focused combat, while a few found it basic, messy, or uneven.

Combat is widely praised as fast, precise, rhythmic, and expressive, with Hornet's agility and tool options creating dynamic fights despite the harsh damage model.

reviews cite castles, villages, shrines, temples, contracts, collectibles, and hideout activities, with some repetition caveats.

Reviewers consistently point to a huge amount of areas, enemies, bosses, tools, secrets, and optional content, though some additions create minor clutter or friction.

evidence is mixed, with fluid combat and smooth controls offset by parry hit-detection and remapping complaints.

Controls are generally praised for giving strong control over Hornet, maintaining flow, and supporting precise combat and traversal once the player adapts.

reviewers often enjoyed the loop of exploration, combat, objectives, and unlocks, though some noted familiar repetition.

The Metroidvania loop of exploring, unlocking abilities, opening shortcuts, and returning stronger is described as satisfying and central to the appeal.

hideout building and gear crafting add customization and utility, though not every reviewer engaged deeply with them.

The tool and shard systems add flexibility, but some reviewers criticize their resource costs and the way consumable repair needs can lead to grinding.

most crash evidence is positive, though one reviewer reports early PlayStation crashes.

cross-save is directly praised across PC/PlayStation and another review’s seamless progression note.

dialogue evidence is mixed, with one review praising darker story material and another criticizing flat, dry exchanges.

Dialogue is often praised for making Hornet and Pharloom's cast more engaging, though one reviewer found some dialogue dry at times.

reviews describe combat and stealth as more demanding but adjustable through modes and difficulty options.

Difficulty is strongly debated: most reviewers call it intentional, rewarding, and often fair, but many also highlight two-mask damage, early friction, and harsh runbacks.

resource systems are viewed as functional and reasonably contained, with scouts and base building shaping resource flow.

Resource balance is mixed to negative, with repeated complaints about rosaries, paid benches, tool shards, and farming interrupting the otherwise strong flow.

one review directly highlights the relationship growth as emotionally impactful.

The game creates notable emotional peaks through hard-won victories, character moments, music, and late-game story beats, though some players feel relief as much as joy.

completionist/endgame evidence exists but also suggests the sheer amount can be tiring.

Reviewers describe substantial post-credits or alternate-ending content, optional bosses, zones, and secrets, making the endgame unusually large for the genre.

enemy groups, armor, defenses, and aggressiveness add challenge, though evidence is limited to one review.

Enemy variety is broadly praised for giving biomes and combat encounters distinct threats, though flying enemies and monster-room waves annoy some reviewers.

reviewers repeatedly praise foliage, roads, weather, architecture, and fine environmental detail.

Environmental detail is consistently praised through lived-in spaces, small animation touches, surface-specific sounds, and dense background storytelling.

exploration is frequently praised for discovery and atmosphere, though foliage, repetition, and long-term fatigue appear in some reviews.

Exploration is a core strength: reviewers describe Pharloom as vast, secret-filled, interconnected, and rewarding, though a few completion and corpse-run frustrations remain.

facial and character animation evidence is mixed, ranging from smooth presentation to rougher faces or uneven protagonist animation.

reviews are split between return-to-form stealth/combat and disappointment over reduced modern-day or Assassin-Templar focus.

Reviewers generally agree Silksong honors Hollow Knight while feeling faster, bigger, and more colorful, with some preferring the original's simplicity.

family-friendliness is low because reviewers specifically note blood, brutal kills, and violence.

one accessibility-focused review describes reliance on fast travel as a workaround for input limitations.

Fast travel through Bellways and marked stations helps reduce backtracking, though some stations must be unlocked or paid for.

frame rate evidence is generally positive, though base PS5 and hideout/area transitions show occasional turbulence.

Frame-rate impressions are positive across Switch 2, PC, and video coverage, with reviewers citing 120 fps, 60 fps, and stable low-end performance.

reviewers often call the moment-to-moment experience fun, even when structure or story disappoints.

Even frustrated reviewers repeatedly describe Silksong as fun, compelling, or worth pushing through because its victories and discoveries feel so rewarding.

reviews describe enough gameplay changes to refresh the formula, especially through stealth, traversal, and dual playstyles.

The broader mechanics are praised for adding aerial combos, diagonal dives, tools, crests, and more agile traversal, though they raise the learning demand.

graphics are one of the strongest consensus positives, with many reviewers praising Japan, seasons, lighting, and vistas.

Graphics are a consensus highlight, with reviewers praising gorgeous hand-drawn visuals, richer color, strong biome identity, and platform-specific crispness.

grind is mixed, with resource grinding and ability gating called out alongside strong long-form rewards.

Grinding is a common caveat, especially around rosaries, shards, fetch quests, and repeated boss attempts that exhaust consumable tool resources.

Steam Deck play is viable around 30 FPS with visual and battery caveats.

Handheld suitability is positive: Switch 2 handheld and Steam Deck impressions suggest the game works especially well as a portable Metroidvania.

one review mentions bow and teppo support with haptic feedback.

The game is not reviewed as pure horror, but reviewers repeatedly note frightening, cruel, eerie, or terror-filled spaces that give Pharloom tension.

HUD customization is directly praised through Steam Deck settings evidence.

HUD clarity is supported mainly through TechRadar's note that HUD size can be customized; no broader HUD praise appears.

immersion is frequently tied to the world’s beauty, weather, and historical detail, but some narrative choices interrupt it.

Immersion comes through the dense world, ultrawide support, atmosphere, music, and the feeling of being pulled into Pharloom's secrets.

one review praises the reduced handholding and investigation-led structure as a meaningful change.

Reviewers see innovation in how Silksong builds on Hollow Knight through Hornet's movement, crests, tools, protagonist voice, and uncompromising design.

one review explicitly found the early open-ended structure confusing for several hours.

The learning curve is steep because of diagonal pogoing, higher enemy damage, resource management, and a higher skill floor, but many reviewers find mastery rewarding.

castles, temples, and infiltrations are praised as attractive playgrounds, though some spaces expose combat-camera issues.

Level design is strongly praised for purposeful rooms, seamless area transitions, shortcuts, hidden branches, and spaces that teach or challenge the player.

one review notes free built-in season passes and ongoing support signals.

one review criticizes character switching for requiring a noticeable loading screen.

loot draws mixed reactions, from meaningful gear and engravings to complaints about too much randomized equipment.

Loot and reward structure is one of the weaker areas, with several reviewers noting bosses may give little or no material reward after difficult fights.

codex/history material is valued, but modern-day and Assassin-Templar lore is often described as thin.

Lore depth is strong, with reviewers pointing to mysteries, world history, item details, subtle reveals, and connections between Pharloom and Hallownest.

map and navigation changes are mixed: reviewers like reduced clutter, but vague clues frustrate some.

Map and navigation design is mostly strong thanks to pins, clearer direction, shortcuts, and story-rich maps, but completion tracking and map clarity draw criticism.

one review highlights clean, intuitive menus and clear upgrade-resource information.

microtransactions are present for cosmetics, maps, and convenience items but not described as dominant.

mission structure is mixed: the objective board and investigation flow help, but target chains and dull quests recur.

Arena or mission-like encounter design is mixed, with some reviewers disliking repeated combat rooms and endurance-style waves that feel less creative.

mission variety is a repeated concern, with several reviewers saying strongholds, objectives, and side tasks blur together.

Mission variety exists through wishes, hunting, collecting, fetch tasks, puzzles, and optional routes, though fetch quests are a repeated weak spot.

monetization is considered mostly non-intrusive, with free reward tiers not directly accelerated by money.

Naoe’s speed and parkour draw praise, while some reviewers call traversal sticky or criticize Yasuke’s movement.

Movement feel is one of Silksong's clearest strengths: Hornet is fast, agile, expressive, and satisfying to control after the adjustment period.

story reactions are split between compelling revenge arcs and complaints about predictability, fragmentation, or weak main-story focus.

Narrative quality is stronger than the original for many reviewers because Hornet speaks and the story is more explicit, though some still experience it as sparse.

onboarding is split between an praised first act and one reviewer feeling lost after the game opens up.

Onboarding is mixed: reviewers say the game works as a standalone entry and teaches some basics, but its opening hours create notable friction for new players.

reviewers admire the setting and less-cluttered discovery style, but several still see open-world bloat and checklist pressure.

originality is mixed: some call it unusually un-Ubisoft, while others see familiar design under a new setting.

Originality comes from Silksong's confident, sometimes cruel identity, which reviewers see as distinctive even when comparing it to other Metroidvanias.

pacing is a common weakness, with reviewers citing narrative drag, padding, and difficulty controlling story flow.

Pacing is mixed: exploration and progression can be absorbing, but punishing progression, long checkpoints, and structural ending requirements interrupt momentum.

performance is mostly positive across PC, console, and Steam Deck evidence, with some freezes or platform caveats.

Performance optimization is a strength, with reviewers citing smooth play on lower-end hardware, flawless-feeling performance, and strong PC/Switch handling.

reviews cite PS5/PS5 Pro, PC sync, Steam Deck 16:10, cloud saves, controller support, HDR, and Portal play.

Platform-specific support is meaningfully discussed through ultrawide PC support, Steam Deck suitability, and Switch 2 120Hz support.

reviewers found climbing stylish at times but also inaccurate enough to cause wrong jumps or awkward movement.

Platforming precision is divisive: many praise demanding obstacle design, while several criticize diagonal pogoing and certain sections as inconsistent or punishing.

polish is a major positive, with reviewers calling it unusually smooth for Ubisoft despite scattered bugs.

Polish is consistently praised through meticulous detail, precision, high production values, and the feeling of a handcrafted game refined over years.

progression is generally useful and motivating, though some reviewers find it tied too heavily to combat or open-world tasks.

Progression is strong overall, with frequent tools, abilities, upgrades, optional routes, and build-altering discoveries, though some requirements are opaque.

Naoe and Yasuke are widely seen as appealing, though multiple reviews favor Naoe as the more natural lead.

Hornet is widely liked as a protagonist because she is agile, voiced, heroic, confident, and emotionally connected to Pharloom's people.

Puzzle evidence is limited but present in special puzzle areas, Needolin interactions, mechanical puzzles, and path-solving through exploration.

quest organization and target hunting can be useful, but several reviewers describe repetitive go-find-kill patterns.

Quest design is mixed: wishes and optional tasks give structure and reasons to revisit areas, but fetch quests and opaque ending requirements are criticized.

replay and long-tail value are strong for completionists, although one 100-hour reflection found revisiting locations unrewarding.

Replay value is high due to 100% completion, alternate endings, optional bosses, build variety, second runs, and reviewers wanting to return.

reviewers note useful freedom in character choice, discovery, scouts, and objective approach.

Nonlinear freedom is strong: reviewers describe multiple routes, optional bosses, different paths to objectives, and broad freedom to leave hard walls for later.

cross-save synchronization is directly praised as reliable.

side characters and quest-givers receive both praise for purpose and criticism for thin villains.

Side characters are a strength, giving relief, charm, pathos, and recurring interactions across Pharloom's towns and hubs.

skill trees offer impactful weapon and ability upgrades, but some reviewers dislike incremental boosts and gating.

audio effects, environmental sound, and general soundscape receive positive notes.

Sound design receives strong praise for surface-specific footsteps, detailed audio, and atmospheric effects that make areas feel alive.

music is mixed-to-positive, praised by several reviewers but called hit-and-miss by one.

The soundtrack is a consensus highlight, with reviewers praising Christopher Larkin's orchestral, haunted, dynamic, and boss-specific music.

stealth is one of the strongest areas, with darkness, prone movement, assassinations, and infiltration widely praised despite some inconsistencies.

weapon tutorials and training flashbacks help teach systems, though one reviewer found the flashback approach odd.

weapon and gear upgrading through the Forge and menus is seen as useful and clearly supported.

Upgrade systems around crests, tools, abilities, and silk skills add major build flexibility and playstyle changes.

UI and the Animus/objective hub are generally praised for clarity and immersion.

Interface design is mixed-positive: journals, tracked quests, pins, sliders, and tool categories help, though map and compass limitations remain.

value is strong for players who want a large open-world game, with long playtime and extensive content.

Value for money is excellent across the reviews, with multiple reviewers citing the $20 price and huge amount of content.

weather, lighting, blood-stylized kill screens, and seasonal effects are often praised, with some doubts about long-term variety.

voice acting is sharply mixed: Japanese and some English performances are praised, while several reviewers call others wooden or grating.

weapon variety is praised, but evidence also suggests character and rarity imbalances.

reviewers praise historical atmosphere, court life, cultural detail, and immersion in the constructed Japan.

World-building is one of the strongest consensus areas, with Pharloom's history, class structure, religion, silk, architecture, and inhabitants reinforcing the setting.

the world reacts well through nature and crowd details, but some reviewers say cities and travel lack meaningful interaction.

World interactivity appears in subtle touches such as water preventing map use, Needolin interactions, NPC events, and changing locations.

writing draws mixed-to-negative notes, from cliches and dry dialogue to reviewers who found broader plot ideas workable.

Writing is praised for stronger dialogue, clearer story beats, and emotional character interactions, although a few reviewers find parts dry or sparse.