Hollow Knight: Silksong

The majority of critics praised Hollow Knight: Silksong for its compelling and immersive narrative, highlighting its rich world-building and emotional depth. Reviewers like Dexerto and GamesRadar+ emphasized how the story seamlessly integrates with the game’s lore, following Hornet’s journey through the mysterious kingdom of Pharloom while maintaining thematic consistency with the original Hollow Knight. The protagonist’s evolution into a more vocal and character-driven figure—noted by Noisy Pixel and Atomix—enhanced player engagement, allowing for deeper emotional investment. Additionally, many critics, including IGN France and GameSpot, praised the game’s structured storytelling, which contrasts with the more ambiguous narrative of its predecessor. Environmental storytelling and gradual reveals, as highlighted by Gamesurf and Game8, created a sense of discovery, while Nintendo Life and Gameliner celebrated the thematic exploration of struggle and purpose. The story’s ability to balance mystery with clarity, even for newcomers, was widely appreciated. However, some critics pointed out that the narrative’s complexity and cryptic elements could be challenging for players. Jeuxvideo.com and IGN Spain noted that the events in Pharloom remain enigmatic, requiring players to piece together lore through fragmented storytelling. Gamepressure questioned whether certain design choices effectively conveyed the intended message, while COGconnected acknowledged the intentional vagueness that, though atmospheric, might alienate some. Additionally, while GamesRadar+ and IGN Benelux emphasized accessibility, a few reviewers suggested that prior knowledge of Hollow Knight could enhance appreciation for subtle references. The gradual revelation of plot points, as mentioned by TheXboxHub and Final Weapon, was seen as both a strength and a potential hurdle for players seeking immediate clarity. Overall, the consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with most agreeing that Silksong’s story is a significant improvement over its predecessor. Dexerto, GamesRadar+, and IGN France highlighted its cohesive universe and emotional resonance, while Atomix and ComicBook celebrated its expanded lore and character-driven depth. Even critiques about ambiguity were framed as intentional choices that enriched the game’s atmosphere, as noted by COGconnected and Saudi Gamer. The narrative’s ability to balance mystery with accessibility, coupled with Hornet’s compelling arc, solidified Silksong as a standout entry in the series, earning praise for its storytelling while leaving room for interpretation—a hallmark of its design.

The gameplay of Hollow Knight: Silksong is widely praised for its refined mechanics, engaging exploration, and dynamic combat, with many critics highlighting its evolution from the original game. Push Square notes that the core mechanics remain intact while introducing new elements like minigames and quests, enhancing replayability. Game Informer emphasizes rewarding exploration in a vast, interconnected world, praising the challenging yet satisfying platforming sequences. Vandal applauds the improved strategic depth, while Slant Magazine highlights snappy acrobatic combat and the thrill of unlocking abilities. GamesRadar+ and Nintendo Life commend the integration of Hornet’s mobility and customizable skills, creating a fast-paced experience that balances Metroidvania structure with Soulslike intensity. IGN Spain and Gfinity laud the game’s emphasis on player skill, with Hornet’s agility and creative combat options offering a memorable, fluid experience. These critiques collectively underscore a gameplay design that feels both familiar and innovatively expanded. However, several critics point to challenges that could detract from the experience. Push Square and ComicBook note that currency scarcity and a punishing economy can hinder progression, while Game Informer and Jeuxvideo.com (PS5) mention uneven difficulty balancing in certain areas. Dexerto and Gamepressure criticize design choices like long checkpoint placements and unforgiving boss fights, which may frustrate players. TheXboxHub highlights the downward attack mechanic as a hurdle for newcomers, and Critical Hits points to issues with life progression systems. Additionally, some reviewers, including Gfinity and CD-Action, acknowledge the game’s steep difficulty curve, which could feel overwhelming despite its rewarding nature. These critiques reflect a shared concern that while the gameplay is technically impressive, its challenges sometimes border on excessive or inconsistent. Despite these criticisms, the majority of critics agree that Hollow Knight: Silksong delivers an exceptional gameplay experience. Eurogamer Portugal and Hobby Consolas praise its methodical design and refined mechanics, while Gamepressure and IGN France emphasize the satisfaction of mastering its demanding systems. The consensus leans heavily toward admiration for the game’s ambition, with many noting that its challenges are earned through skill and persistence. While some flaws in pacing and balance exist, the overwhelming sentiment is one of appreciation for the game’s depth, creativity, and dedication to the Metroidvania genre. As Nintendo Life and IGN Spain observe, Silksong succeeds in building upon its predecessor’s legacy while carving out a unique identity through its emphasis on agility, strategy, and exploration.

The overwhelming consensus among critics highlights Hollow Knight: Silksong’s graphics and visual design as a masterful achievement, with praise for its artistry, immersion, and storytelling. Reviewers consistently lauded the hand-drawn aesthetic, describing it as "breathtaking" (Final Weapon) and "stunning" (Gfinity), noting how it evokes a melancholic yet vibrant atmosphere. The game’s environments are celebrated for their intricate details, with critics like IGN Spain praising the "detailed and colorful backgrounds" and Jeuxvideo.com highlighting 28 unique zones that feel "memorable" and "alive." The art style’s ability to blend whimsy with darkness—referred to as a "mix of beauty and terror" (Nintendo Life)—creates a world where exploration feels rewarding. Additionally, the visual design’s evolution from the original Hollow Knight is emphasized, with IGN Brasil noting a larger map and GamePro Germany calling it "outstanding," surpassing genre standards. The attention to biomes, character designs, and atmospheric effects like parallax scrolling (IGN Deutschland) further underscores the game’s technical and artistic polish. While the majority of reviews are overwhelmingly positive, there is minimal criticism regarding the visuals. Most critics focused on the game’s strengths, with no significant negative remarks about graphical shortcomings. However, a few reviewers noted that the art style, while praised for its uniqueness, might not appeal to all players. For instance, Game8 acknowledged the "vast and intricately crafted world," but this is framed as a strength rather than a flaw. Similarly, while some critics mentioned the game’s "lúgubre" (melancholic) tone (GamersRD), this was presented as part of its charm rather than a drawback. The lack of substantial criticism suggests that the visual design resonated strongly with reviewers, even if it occasionally leaned into darker or more abstract aesthetics. The overwhelming consensus among critics is that Hollow Knight: Silksong’s graphics and visual design are a triumph, solidifying its place as a standout title in the genre. Critics like GameInform praised the "immaculate" visual design, while SpazioGames called it "stunning," emphasizing how environments feel "alive." The game’s ability to balance detailed storytelling with aesthetic appeal—such as Final Weapon’s observation that "each location is detailed and vibrant"—was repeatedly highlighted. Even across platforms (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch), the visuals were consistently praised for their polish and creativity, with Atomix noting "impressive technical performance" alongside artistic excellence. Ultimately, the reviews reflect a shared admiration for how the game’s visual design enhances immersion, storytelling, and exploration, cementing it as a masterpiece in both art and execution.

The sound design and music of Hollow Knight: Silksong received widespread acclaim from critics, with many highlighting their ability to immerse players in the game’s world and enhance its emotional depth. Multiple reviewers praised Christopher Larkin’s score for its atmospheric richness, noting how it complements gameplay mechanics, storytelling, and environmental exploration. For instance, IGN Spain and Push Square emphasized how Larkin’s compositions evoke tension and emotion, while Noisy Pixel called the soundtrack a “masterclass” with standout boss themes. The variety of musical styles—ranging from haunting orchestral pieces to whimsical melodies—was frequently lauded, as seen in Jeuxvideo.com’s observation that the soundtrack features “fitting melodies for exploration and boss battles.” Additionally, SpazioGames and Nintendo Life noted how the audio elements seamlessly blend with visuals, creating a cohesive and immersive experience. Critics also highlighted the emotional resonance of the score, with Gameliner pointing to its ability to “enhance the emotional experience” through subtle sound cues and dynamic shifts in tone. While the majority of reviews were overwhelmingly positive, some critics noted minor reservations or areas where the soundtrack fell slightly short of expectations. LaPS4 mentioned that the orchestral score felt like a “slight step back” compared to the original Hollow Knight, suggesting that while still strong, it didn’t fully match the predecessor’s iconic themes. Similarly, Critical Hits and Game Informer acknowledged that the music was praised but not extensively analyzed in their reviews, implying a lack of deeper exploration into its technical or thematic nuances. Additionally, some critics, like IGN Brasil and Gamepressure, described the soundtrack as “fantastic” but noted it blended more subtly into the gameplay rather than standing out as a defining feature. These critiques, however, were relatively minor compared to the overall enthusiasm for the score’s craftsmanship and integration with the game’s atmosphere. The consensus among critics was overwhelmingly positive, with nearly all agreeing that Hollow Knight: Silksong’s sound design and music significantly elevated its gameplay experience. The soundtrack’s ability to evoke mood, enhance exploration, and deepen emotional engagement was a recurring theme, as noted by IGN Benelux, Saudi Gamer, and CGMagazine. While a few critics pointed to slight shortcomings—such as LaPS4’s comparison to the original or Critical Hits’ mention of limited detail in analysis—these were overshadowed by the universal praise for its immersive quality. The work of Christopher Larkin, in particular, was celebrated as a cornerstone of the game’s identity, with Noisy Pixel and GamerRD highlighting its memorability and emotional impact. Ultimately, the critics’ reviews reflect a strong agreement that the sound design and music of Silksong are not just supportive elements but integral to the game’s success, creating an atmosphere that lingers long after the final boss is defeated.

The majority of reviewers highlight the positive impact of Hornet’s voice acting on Hollow Knight: Silksong, emphasizing its role in enriching character depth and narrative engagement. IGN Spain praises how Hornet’s voice adds "depth to her character and the narrative," making interactions more engaging, while Noisy Pixel notes that her dialogue "adds depth to the character and story" compared to the silent protagonist of the original game. Push Square and SpazioGames similarly commend Hornet’s vocal presence for enhancing immersion and world-building, with the latter describing her as "well-characterized with expressive dialogue." GamersRD and LevelUp also highlight how Hornet’s voice provides a distinct personality, contrasting sharply with the previous game’s silent protagonist. These critiques collectively underscore the transformative effect of voice acting in shaping Hornet’s identity and fostering emotional connections with players. While most reviews are positive, some critics point to limitations in the voice acting’s scope or detail. TheXboxHub notes that "voice acting is minimal," focusing instead on ambient sounds like Hornet’s healing noises and bug interactions, which suggest a more restrained approach. Jeuxvideo.com (on multiple platforms) acknowledges that Hornet’s speech adds depth but criticizes the lack of detailed analysis on the quality of performances. Similarly, IGN France mentions that while voice acting "adds personality," specific performances are not elaborated upon. These critiques highlight a recurring concern about the voice work being understated or underexplored, despite its narrative significance. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with most praising Hornet’s voice acting as a significant improvement over the original game’s silent protagonist. The addition of dialogue and expressive performances is seen as a key factor in deepening character interactions and narrative immersion, even if some reviews note that the quality or extent of the voice work isn’t fully detailed. Critics like IGN Spain, Noisy Pixel, and SpazioGames emphasize its role in making Hornet’s journey more impactful, while others, such as TheXboxHub and Jeuxvideo.com, acknowledge its value despite its limitations. This suggests that while not universally lauded for technical depth, the voice acting is broadly recognized as a meaningful enhancement to Silksong’s storytelling and world-building.

The technical performance of Hollow Knight: Silksong receives generally positive feedback across all platforms, with critics highlighting smooth gameplay, stable frame rates, and strong optimization. On PS5, GamePro Germany and IGN Spain praise the game’s flawless execution, noting high frame rates and polished controls, while Metro GameCentral acknowledges ongoing support through patches despite lacking specific technical details. For Nintendo Switch 2, Atomix and Nintendo Life commend its "flawless" performance and 120fps stability, respectively, with Dexerto and Vandal emphasizing the game’s optimization as a technical achievement. On Xbox Series X, TheXboxHub reports no significant issues, though CD-Action mentions minor bugs and hitbox problems that are being addressed via patches. Overall, the consensus leans toward strong performance, particularly on newer hardware like Switch 2 and PS5, with critics like Shacknews noting smoother play on Switch 2 compared to PS5. However, some platform-specific technical concerns arise. On PS5, Shacknews reports mild stuttering, which contrasts with GamePro Germany’s assertion of "flawless" performance, suggesting variability in optimization. Slant Magazine and SpazioGames mention gameplay-related issues like difficulty spikes and checkpoint placement, though these are framed as design choices rather than technical flaws. For Xbox Series X, CD-Action highlights bugs and hitbox inconsistencies, while 4P.de notes initial server issues on Nintendo Switch at launch, though this was not elaborated further. On Switch 2, IGN France points to translation errors and "technical flaws," though these are minor compared to the broader praise for stability. These critiques suggest that while most platforms handle the game well, some technical hiccups persist, particularly on older hardware or due to specific design elements. The overall consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive, with Switch 2 and PS5 receiving the highest marks for optimization and performance. Critics like Atomix and Nintendo Life emphasize Switch 2’s flawless execution, while GamePro Germany and IGN Spain affirm PS5’s stability. Xbox Series X faces some criticism but benefits from patches addressing its issues, as noted by CD-Action. While minor technical flaws exist across platforms—such as stuttering on PS5 or difficulty spikes on all systems—the majority of reviews highlight the game’s polished nature and developer commitment to refinement. The varied feedback underscores that Silksong is technically strong overall, with platform-specific nuances that do not detract from its broader success.

The majority of critics overwhelmingly praised Hollow Knight: Silksong for its exceptional replay value, emphasizing its depth through exploration, hidden content, and multiple pathways. Reviewers like Game Informer highlighted the game’s “multiple endings, additional zones, bosses, and plot elements,” while Final Weapon noted the “numerous secrets and hidden areas to discover,” suggesting players will return for discovery even after completing the main story. IGN Spain and Jeuxvideo.com pointed to the game’s flexibility in combat builds and exploration, allowing players to experiment with strategies and revisit locations with new abilities. Game8 and SpazioGames emphasized the substantial playtime—over 30–50 hours—with side quests, hidden areas, and challenge runs adding layers of engagement. The consensus is that Silksong rewards dedication, offering a richly layered experience that invites repeated playthroughs to uncover its full scope. However, some critics noted potential drawbacks that could limit replayability for certain players. Saudi Gamer mentioned that the lack of post-boss rewards might slow progression, while Shacknews and Gamepressure pointed to tedious elements or difficulty spikes that could frustrate casual players. Nintendojo warned that exploration might lead to “diminishing returns,” and CD-Action suggested the game’s high difficulty could deter replay attempts. Additionally, Jeuxvideo.com and IGN France acknowledged that the challenge level might act as a barrier for some, though they still recognized the game’s inherent appeal for fans of the genre. These critiques highlight that while Silksong is designed to encourage multiple playthroughs, its intensity and complexity may not suit all audiences. Overall, the critical reception underscores Hollow Knight: Silksong as a title with strong replay value, driven by its intricate design, exploration incentives, and varied content. Critics like Game Informer, Final Weapon, and IGN Spain consistently emphasized that the game’s secrets, multiple endings, and dynamic combat systems create a compelling reason to return, even if some challenges or pacing issues exist. While not universally perfect, the majority of reviewers—spanning outlets like Gfinity, GamesRadar+, and Hobby Consolas—agreed that Silksong succeeds in offering a rewarding experience that justifies repeated engagement. The game’s ability to balance difficulty with discovery ensures it remains a standout entry in the Metroidvania genre, particularly for players seeking depth and longevity.