Talking Point: Is Hollow Knight: Silksong Too Difficult?

The first Hollow Knight wasn’t exactly a cakewalk, yet it’s fair to say its follow-up is cranking the challenge up several notches.

A quick scroll through socials confirms droves of travellers are hitting walls across Pharloom. Some go as far as claiming Silksong is “brutal to the point of ceasing to be fun” or “tough purely for the sake of toughness”. Team Cherry is tuned in; an impending update will dial down the pain in select spots.

We at Nintendo Life concur the adventure is markedly harsher than the debut, yet we’re split on how—or whether—that colours our enjoyment.

So, let’s hear how Team NL feels about Silksong’s relentless curve so far…

“an organic step up” (PJ O’Reilly, staff writer)

I’m nowhere near as deep as the rest of the squad, yet if the stakes were any lower at the outset, Silksong would forfeit a chunk of the magic that makes it so captivating.

I’d hate to see encounters made any more forgiving, especially for veterans hungry for a sterner test than last time. It’s simply the logical next rung on the ladder. Sure, it can be maddening—boss treks that force me to re-clear rooms grate on my nerves—but that’s par for the course in razor-sharp platformers. When every death is clearly my own blunder, I’m happy to lace up and try again.

“grind and grit” (Alex Olney, video producer)

Everybody already knows the thing is punishing; that was telegraphed by its predecessor. The real shock is leaping from a maxed-out Knight back to day-one Hornet. The soul of the experience is struggle and perseverance—watering that down would betray the fan-base.

That said, half the rogues deleting two masks per swing can feel sadistic. Still, wield your traps and fresh abilities wisely and any Hollow Knight graduate can survive Pharloom.

“double-mask hits” (Alana Hagues, deputy editor)

Act 2 has its hooks in me, and yes, I’ve hurled the occasional tantrum. Overall, though, I’m relishing the steep ascent.

The escalation outpaces Hollow Knight, yet almost every boss is so tightly crafted and exhilarating that my rage is aimed inward whenever I flub a dodge. Much like Alex mentioned, plenty of foes chip two masks, and the world is laced with mean little gotchas—Pharloom is hazardous, hilarious, and horrifying in equal measure.

The trick is to step back and roam. It’s a Metroidvania stuffed with quests, tools, and health buffs waiting to be unearthed. Whenever I’ve slammed into a wall, I’ve pivoted elsewhere and returned later with better kit—momentum restored.

“colourful language” (Ollie Reynolds, staff writer)

Gaming windows are narrow these days; if something forces me to replay the same stretch ad nauseam, I’ll usually shelve it. Silksong, though, keeps luring me back.

It’s unquestionably rougher than the original, yet the loop is learn-pattern, pick-opening, strike. Master that and victory is basically guaranteed—though I’ve still sworn at my console more than once.

I wanted a stiff challenge after the long wait; a weekend cakewalk would’ve felt wasteful. Team Cherry built an experience meant to be chewed slowly, and I’m happy to keep trekking from the nearest bench.

“proper load-outs” (Felix Sanchez, video producer)

Eighteen hours in, the balance feels spot-on to me. Maybe prior Hollow Knight muscle memory helps, but I never blame a roadblock on unfair design. Deaths pile up, sure—yet patterns sink in, and equipping the right charms makes a world of difference.

The multi-phase bosses are among the best I’ve ever faced. I’m itching to see what else lurks deeper, but so far the difficulty is absolutely hitting the sweet spot.

That’s our take—now it’s your turn. Cast a vote in the poll up top and drop a comment sharing how Silksong’s toughness is treating you.