As of now, it has been 2,395 days since the announcement of Silksong on February 14, 2019. Over the years, the anticipation surrounding this sequel to Hollow Knight has transformed it into a cultural phenomenon, characterized by long stretches of developer silence and fluctuating release timelines. What began as an upcoming game has morphed into an object of collective fascination, drawing in interest while revealing little in return. And now, the moment has arrived: Silksong is available for play, complete with its share of bugs to combat.
Silksong’s first notes ring a little hollow
Evan Lahti, Strategic Director: As someone who approaches Silksong from a place of skepticism, I find myself grappling with the question: is it permissible to express my lack of enjoyment for what is deemed Steam’s most-wanted game? The initial hours of gameplay have not captivated me, particularly when compared to other platformers like Spelunky 2, Dead Cells, and the classic Metroid series. While I anticipate that movement techniques will become more intricate as I progress, the fundamental joy of jumping and moving—something that should be endlessly repeatable—has yet to emerge. I find myself yearning for a mechanic reminiscent of the Symphony of the Night backpedal move. Moreover, as I engage with basic enemies, I wonder if they will evolve into something more compelling.
Silksong isn’t surprising so far, but I didn’t expect it to be
Wes Fenlon, Senior Editor: Evan raises an interesting point regarding the weight of expectations surrounding Silksong. The original Hollow Knight achieved acclaim not through radical innovation but through its masterful execution of the metroidvania genre. The game world, with its unexpected discoveries and intricate connections, kept players engaged, while its combat, though simple in input, demanded skill and patience. From my early hours with Silksong, it appears to follow a similar path. The initial encounters with pilgrims hint at a vast world ahead, one that promises meaningful exploration. However, the immediate thrill of gameplay lacks the punch found in other titles like Dead Cells, where every action feels rewarding. Instead, Silksong offers a slow burn, gradually revealing its depth over time. While it hasn’t blown my mind yet, it does seem to possess a solid foundation.
Silksong’s perfected the metroidvania—which is why its popularity is so odd
Sean Martin, Senior Guides Writer: To me, Silksong feels like an extension of Hollow Knight. It’s enhanced, visually stunning, and certainly more challenging, yet it retains the essence of its predecessor. The expansive map continues to captivate players, leading them to ponder whether to explore Pharloom or rest. My six-hour gaming session yesterday attests to its ability to draw players into its world. Team Cherry has refined the formula, but its immense popularity is intriguing. While I appreciate the game’s quality, it’s remarkable to see a metroidvania achieve such success, potentially attracting new players unfamiliar with the genre. Reflecting on my experience with Hollow Knight at launch, I never imagined its sequel would reach half a million concurrent players on Steam. Silksong’s hype is a curious phenomenon, and while I don’t see it as revolutionary, I believe it will resonate with fans of the original.
I have never in my life been this thrilled with bugs
Lincoln Carpenter, News Writer: As a newcomer to the Hollow Knight universe, I approached Silksong with trepidation, fearing my ineptitude with side-scrolling games would hinder my enjoyment. However, the day has arrived, and while the 2D combat challenges me, I find myself captivated by the world of bugs. The gameplay may be demanding, but the characters and their unique quirks are compelling enough to keep me engaged. Despite my initial reservations about bugs, I’m discovering a wealth of personality within these characters, each with their own stories and histories. I often find myself throwing Hornet into perilous situations just to encounter new bugfolk and uncover their narratives. Perhaps I’ve been missing out on the joys of this vibrant world for far too long.
How are you feeling about your first hours in Pharloom? Let us know how Silksong’s landing for you in the comments.
Is Silksong everything we hoped? 5 PC Gamer writers react to the first hours of Team Cherry’s extraordinarily hyped sequel
As of now, it has been 2,395 days since the announcement of Silksong on February 14, 2019. Over the years, the anticipation surrounding this sequel to Hollow Knight has transformed it into a cultural phenomenon, characterized by long stretches of developer silence and fluctuating release timelines. What began as an upcoming game has morphed into an object of collective fascination, drawing in interest while revealing little in return. And now, the moment has arrived: Silksong is available for play, complete with its share of bugs to combat.
Silksong’s first notes ring a little hollow
Evan Lahti, Strategic Director: As someone who approaches Silksong from a place of skepticism, I find myself grappling with the question: is it permissible to express my lack of enjoyment for what is deemed Steam’s most-wanted game? The initial hours of gameplay have not captivated me, particularly when compared to other platformers like Spelunky 2, Dead Cells, and the classic Metroid series. While I anticipate that movement techniques will become more intricate as I progress, the fundamental joy of jumping and moving—something that should be endlessly repeatable—has yet to emerge. I find myself yearning for a mechanic reminiscent of the Symphony of the Night backpedal move. Moreover, as I engage with basic enemies, I wonder if they will evolve into something more compelling.
Silksong isn’t surprising so far, but I didn’t expect it to be
Wes Fenlon, Senior Editor: Evan raises an interesting point regarding the weight of expectations surrounding Silksong. The original Hollow Knight achieved acclaim not through radical innovation but through its masterful execution of the metroidvania genre. The game world, with its unexpected discoveries and intricate connections, kept players engaged, while its combat, though simple in input, demanded skill and patience. From my early hours with Silksong, it appears to follow a similar path. The initial encounters with pilgrims hint at a vast world ahead, one that promises meaningful exploration. However, the immediate thrill of gameplay lacks the punch found in other titles like Dead Cells, where every action feels rewarding. Instead, Silksong offers a slow burn, gradually revealing its depth over time. While it hasn’t blown my mind yet, it does seem to possess a solid foundation.
Silksong’s perfected the metroidvania—which is why its popularity is so odd
Sean Martin, Senior Guides Writer: To me, Silksong feels like an extension of Hollow Knight. It’s enhanced, visually stunning, and certainly more challenging, yet it retains the essence of its predecessor. The expansive map continues to captivate players, leading them to ponder whether to explore Pharloom or rest. My six-hour gaming session yesterday attests to its ability to draw players into its world. Team Cherry has refined the formula, but its immense popularity is intriguing. While I appreciate the game’s quality, it’s remarkable to see a metroidvania achieve such success, potentially attracting new players unfamiliar with the genre. Reflecting on my experience with Hollow Knight at launch, I never imagined its sequel would reach half a million concurrent players on Steam. Silksong’s hype is a curious phenomenon, and while I don’t see it as revolutionary, I believe it will resonate with fans of the original.
I have never in my life been this thrilled with bugs
Lincoln Carpenter, News Writer: As a newcomer to the Hollow Knight universe, I approached Silksong with trepidation, fearing my ineptitude with side-scrolling games would hinder my enjoyment. However, the day has arrived, and while the 2D combat challenges me, I find myself captivated by the world of bugs. The gameplay may be demanding, but the characters and their unique quirks are compelling enough to keep me engaged. Despite my initial reservations about bugs, I’m discovering a wealth of personality within these characters, each with their own stories and histories. I often find myself throwing Hornet into perilous situations just to encounter new bugfolk and uncover their narratives. Perhaps I’ve been missing out on the joys of this vibrant world for far too long.
How are you feeling about your first hours in Pharloom? Let us know how Silksong’s landing for you in the comments.