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- Screenshot of Hollow Knight Silksong, Courtesy of Team Cherry

Hollow Knight Silksong And Why It’s Toughest Boss Might Be Its Own Hype

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming
By Desmond Harris | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 10:36 AM ET

It’s a tale as old as time. A beloved indie darling gets a sequel, the hype train leaves the station at ludicrous speed, and then… reality hits. Hollow Knight: Silksong, the sequel we’ve all been collectively holding our breath for since what feels like the dawn of civilization, has finally graced our screens. And while it’s selling like hotcakes and satisfying that deep-seated need for more bug-centric Metroidvania action, it hasn’t been a completely smooth ride into the kingdom of Pharloom.

In a twist that’s both surprising and, let’s be honest, a little bit predictable, Silksong has managed to rack up more than double the total number of negative Steam reviews that its predecessor, Hollow Knight, has accumulated in its entire seven-year lifespan. You read that right. A game that’s been out for just over a week is already more divisive than the modern classic that spawned it.

So, what’s the deal? Did Team Cherry forget how to make a good game? Has the world gone mad? Let’s dive into the salt mines and figure out why so many players are throwing a fit.

Image of Hollow Knight Silksong courtesy of Steam and Team Cherry

Why Are Players Review Bombing Silksong?

If you take a stroll through the Steam reviews for Silksong, you’ll notice a couple of recurring themes. It seems the two main culprits behind the wave of negativity are the game’s “brutal” difficulty and some seriously flawed Chinese localization.

While the original Hollow Knight was no walk in the park, many players are finding Silksong to be a whole other level of punishing. Early bosses, in particular, are being called out for being brick walls that halt progress for hours on end.

For a series known for its challenging but fair combat, it seems some feel Team Cherry might have tipped the scales a bit too far into the “unfair” category this time around.

It’s one thing to say “git gud,” but it’s another to feel like the game is actively mocking your feeble attempts to survive. The frustration is palpable, with many negative reviews essentially being digital screams into the void after being pancaked by the same boss for the 87th time.

The other major issue comes from the game’s Chinese localization, which has been described as deeply flawed and, in some cases, nonsensical. Given the massive gaming market in China, a botched translation is a surefire way to alienate a huge chunk of your player base. When the lore and dialogue are as rich and important as they are in the Hollow Knight universe, getting it wrong can completely ruin the experience. These aren’t just minor typos; we’re talking about changes that affect the tone and meaning of the story, leading to an understandable backlash from Chinese-speaking players.

Image of Hollow Knight Silksong courtesy of Steam and Team Cherry

Let’s Put Things in Perspective

Before we declare Silksong a complete disaster, let’s take a deep breath and look at the actual numbers. As of now, the game is sitting at a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam with about 77% positive reviews. That’s still a very respectable score. For comparison, the original Hollow Knight boasts an astronomical 97% “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating.

So, while “double the negative reviews” sounds incredibly dramatic (and makes for a great headline, you’re welcome), it’s a jump from 3% negative to about 23% negative. It’s a significant leap, for sure, but it’s far from a catastrophe. The game is still, by and large, being praised. The core gameplay is as sharp as Hornet’s needle, the world is breathtaking, and the sense of discovery is still second to none.

The good news is that Team Cherry is already on the case. They’ve acknowledged the feedback and are reportedly working on patches to nerf some of the most criticized bosses and polish other aspects of the game. This is the same small, dedicated team that supported Hollow Knight with mountains of free content post-launch, so there’s little reason to doubt their commitment to getting Silksong just right.

Ultimately, the Silksong review situation is a fascinating case study in hype, expectation, and the razor-thin line between challenging and frustrating. After years of waiting and meme-ing, the expectations were so high they were practically in orbit. For some, the final product didn’t just have to be good; it had to be a life-altering experience. When it turned out to be “just” a fantastic (but incredibly difficult) video game with some localization hiccups, the disappointment was bound to be loud. It seems that even for a masterpiece, the shadow of its own legend can be the toughest boss of all.

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This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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