Few games currently manage to grab the attention of the general public and dominate social media like Hollow Knight: Silksong. Whether it's the visuals, the soundtrack, the difficulty, or even controversies regarding the game's release.

Silksong is exactly what a sequel should be, expanding the universe, providing new challenges, adding new elements without losing the essence and feeling of familiarity with the original work.
 

Attention-grabbing release

The price of the game was also a reason for controversy, released for $20 in American markets. Some companies found the price too low for the quality of the product while players around the world celebrate and support the affordable prices. Even piracy communities reached a consensus asking people not to pirate the game and to support the developers.

Game as art form

The hand-drawn 2D graphic style, with unique strokes and its own visual style. Along with an exciting soundtrack that perfectly matches the emotion the game demands, whether in the adrenaline of a boss fight or in the moments of lightness and story development, make the player even more immersed in that universe.

The boss fights themselves become true choreographies, a dance between the player and the game where any wrong move is severely punished.
 

Difficulty with reward

Both the first Hollow Knight and the sequel Silksong are categorically difficult games despite the relatively simple visuals and controls. Precision and movement control are essential to progress in the game, both in big fights and in navigating obstacles throughout the map.

The challenge, however, is rewarded with the feeling of achievement already very familiar to players of games like Dark Souls or Elden Ring. The catharsis of finally defeating that enemy that killed you 37 times is one of the best feelings a game can provide.
 

Even with this difficulty, none of the bosses or particularly challenging areas made me spend more than an hour in the same section. With each death, you see your mistake and start to notice movement patterns. Each time getting a little further and getting into the dance that the game invites you to.

Many players had the impression that Silksong is even more challenging than the original game. This is because there are many enemies that deal considerable damage to the character's already limited life.

One of the main differences between the protagonists of the first game and Hornet (protagonist of Silksong) is precisely the agility and versatility of movements. Silksong seems like a much more fluid and agile game, also allowing a wide variety of movements with different builds that enable many ways to play, whether more aggressive, attacking from a distance, using items, etc. In my view, this makes the game much more balanced, meaning that although the difficulty has increased, so has the agility, healing, and versatility of the player's movements.
 

Hollow Knight: Silksong uses the game's own difficulty to make you a better player, even with upgrades, items, and various equipment. It's common to go back to an area to explore some other paths that were previously blocked or where you lacked a specific ability to overcome them and see how a part that was difficult for you now passes easily. The game's progression doesn't make you an invincible force with super powerful attacks, the progression is the player getting better at the game.

For those who have played the first game, Silksong is an excellent continuation and expansion of the universe with a new and very welcome challenge. For those entering this universe now, it can be quite challenging, but still a very welcome experience and surprise.