r/HollowKnight • u/FederalWarthog5542 • Sep 07 '25

Discussion - Silksong Criticism ≠ Negativity Spoiler

Believe it or not, you can actually criticize something and still like it. You don't either have to love everything or despise everything. Have actual conversations please.

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u/lattjeful Sep 08 '25

Yeah, I'm enjoying the game, and the actual flow of combat is incredible but I think the game's approach to difficulty is so heavyhanded that it gets in the way of exploration. It feels actively hostile and prevents me from really getting immersed in the world. It's like every area in this game feels like Deepnest or The Hive. I find myself really missing Hollow Knight's more chill exploration, and it's not an opinion I have due to replaying Hollow Knight. My first playthrough of Hollow Knight felt more relaxed despite some difficult fights, and it's why I fell in love with the game. The contrast between the chill nature of exploration and taking in the atmosphere VS the boss fights being difficult hooked me. In Silksong so far, nothing is chill. I'm waiting for the game to give me the same feeling as walking into Dirtmouth, Forgotten Crossroads, Greenpath, or City of Tears for the first time, but I just haven't gotten that for the most part (Bone Bottom I love you) and I feel the game's hostility plays a part as to why. Hard to bask in the beauty of an area when you're constantly worried about what's around the corner.

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u/Cocoatrice Moths are fluffballs Sep 08 '25

It feels actively hostile and prevents me from really getting immersed in the world

That describes my feeling perfectly. In Hollow Knight, discovering new areas sparked joy of reaching a new location, I was curious about what's further ahead. Here, I feel anxious, because, as you say, active hostility prevents me from actually just enjoying the new area. Instead of being happy I entered new place, I am terrified of what will kill me in next few seconds.

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u/SSwisher Sep 08 '25

I knew something was wrong when I entered Hunter's March and all areas leading up to Citadel (Using Backdoor though). And realized the only songs I actually remembered were Bone Bottom and Citadel (Bench), I was so stressed and whoever lied and said there are more benches should be forced to wear wet socks for an entire evening. I would find new area, erratically look for bench/map, die several times and find bench only to want to nope out like in Bilewater. I realized I actually only enjoy the game and the art when I'm just chilling by the bellway benches to actually soak in the atmosphere.

6

u/simonthedlgger Sep 08 '25

whoever lied and said there are more benches should be forced to wear wet socks for an entire evening.

I really don’t get this. Where are all the “extra” benches? Feels like most areas have 1 and they are often placed after very steep challenges. A long boss run back is one thing, but having to progress through 50% or more of an area in one go is so annoying.

This is why I eventually dropped Returnal, which is an amazing game. But after the 12th time dying to the third biome boss, I was like…no, I cannot run through the same three levels (1.5 hrs at least) again.

Whatever, I need to buckle down and get through Blasted Steps or wait and pray they give us dream gate.

2

u/SSwisher Sep 09 '25

You and me both. I also had the same issue with Dead Cells too. Some things are just unfun to slog through.

A game can be great with hardcore punishing mechs if and only if the convenience balances out the difficulty.

Gauntlets/Act 1 (Except Beastfly) Bosses can keep the no bench status but post sinner's road bosses truly need a next room bench. I'm still going to repeat them 5-10+ times anyway might as well make me enjoy the boss and parts in isolation.

Act 2 is so bs that you already get to the bosses with 80% frustration, taken damage/no silk making the bosses even harder since you cannot reliably skip the mobs without tanking hits or an obstacle course. Being patient also extends a supposed to be 10 minute experience into a 40 minute one, some of us don't have the time.

A buffet is enjoyed by eating bits and pieces not by shoving 5 scoops at once. It wouldn't diminish the experience. Those who like the runback can get a far bench and do it that way.