Choose Silksong for a gorgeous, demanding Metroidvania with superb movement, bosses, music, and secrets. Skip it when long runbacks, sparse checkpoints, resource grinding, or limited accessibility options would turn challenge into frustration.
Best for
Best for players who enjoy demanding Metroidvanias built around mastery, exploration, precision movement, and repeated boss attempts. Completionists also benefit from the dense map, optional endings, and many hidden routes.
Not for
Not for players who want generous checkpoints, broad accessibility options, low-stress exploration, or frequent material rewards after every challenge. Reviewers repeatedly warn that runbacks, currency loss, and early friction can sour the experience.
Verdict
Across the supplied reviews, Silksong emerges as an exceptionally crafted sequel whose strongest traits are movement, combat, exploration, art direction, music, and world-building. Reviewers repeatedly praise Hornet’s speed, the dense map, choreographed bosses, and the sense that Pharloom rewards curiosity. The tradeoff is that the same conviction also creates friction: sparse benches, runbacks, punishing two-mask damage, resource pressure, and some opaque progression can make the game feel cruel or exhausting. It is widely treated as a top-tier Metroidvania, but not a frictionless one; its best moments depend on a willingness to learn, retreat, experiment, and endure.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Similar: problem-solving through explorationThe reviewer says Silksong asks players to leave walls and explore, similar to Elden Ring.
Compared: punishment and difficultyThe reviewer frames Silksong as less willing to relent than even Elden Ring.
Dark Souls 2
Compared: respawn-point placementThe reviewer likens Silksong's sparse, inconvenient benches to Dark Souls 2-style respawn placement.
Compared: runbacksThe reviewer compares Silksong's runback discourse to Dark Souls 2's notorious runbacks.
Animal Well
Compared: genre evolution and identityThe reviewer says Silksong still feels distinctive despite wondering whether Animal Well had moved the genre forward.
Boss design is broadly praised as memorable, choreographed, varied, and exciting, though some reviews dislike spongey health pools, rewards, or runbacks.
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.
Crests, tools, and upgrades are widely seen as flexible and creative, though a few reviews found early limitations or resource-linked tool use frustrating.
Difficulty is the most divisive attribute: many reviewers call it rewarding and intentional, while others find it cruel, too punishing, or unfairly frictional.
Loot and rewards are a weaker point, with reviewers complaining about bosses or difficult paths that provide little or disappointing material payoff.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Video Games, this product is above average in writing quality, endgame content, movement feel, below average in accessibility options, loot system, crafting system.
Summary
8 compared features
Above average0.4+ pts higher38%
3 features
Same as averagewithin 0.3 pts0%
0 features
Below average0.4+ pts lower63%
5 features
Attribute
This product
Category average
Difference
accessibility options
2.0
4.1
-2.1
loot system
2.0
3.8
-1.8
crafting system
2.2
4.0
-1.8
checkpoint system
2.2
3.6
-1.4
writing quality
5.0
3.5
+1.5
endgame content
5.0
3.5
+1.5
movement feel
4.9
3.8
+1.0
onboarding experience
2.8
4.0
-1.2
FAQ
Is Hollow Knight: Silksong harder than Hollow Knight?
Most reviewers say it is harder or more punishing, especially early on. Several still argue the challenge is intentional and rewarding once players explore, learn patterns, and experiment with tools.
What do reviewers praise most?
The strongest praise goes to Hornet’s movement, combat, exploration, boss design, art direction, soundtrack, and world-building. Reviewers repeatedly describe Pharloom as beautiful, dense, and rewarding to uncover.
What are the most common complaints?
The recurring complaints are long runbacks, sparse or paid benches, heavy two-mask damage, stingy currency and shard balance, occasional grind, and limited accessibility options.
Does the sequel stand on its own?
Yes. Reviews say prior Hollow Knight knowledge enhances callbacks and context, but Hornet’s story and Pharloom’s world can be understood as their own adventure.
How is Hornet as a protagonist?
Reviewers are very positive on Hornet. They praise her speed, charisma, dialogue, and stronger narrative presence compared with the silent Knight.
Is there enough content after the first ending?
Yes. Reviewers mention optional endings, additional zones, bosses, secrets, and completion goals, though some criticize how opaque certain requirements can be.
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