Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025): The Review
Overview
Score: 10 out of 10
The Positives ✅
Silksong is a masterclass in taking what worked in Hollow Knight and turning it up to eleven. Hornet’s movement is fast, fluid, and utterly thrilling, making every fight feel like a high-speed duel. Her arsenal grows organically, from the standard needle strikes to grappling hooks and mid-air heals, giving combat a sense of constant evolution. Enemies are quick and aggressive, but the feeling of mastering them, of dodging a punishing attack and countering with precision, is immensely satisfying. Even the standard mobs feel dangerous, and learning their patterns becomes its own mini-challenge, keeping reflexes sharp at all times.
Pharloom itself is breathtaking. Every area has a distinct identity, from the damp, mossy beginnings in Moss Grotto to the storm-lashed heights of the Blasted Steps and the eerie fog of the Mist. The game’s art direction is phenomenal, blending beauty and menace so each corner feels like it has its own story to tell. Statues crumble, houses decay, and the ever-present silk binds the land together visually and narratively. You never feel like you’re in a series of disconnected zones, Pharloom is cohesive, alive, and rich with detail, and even repeat visits reward you with discoveries you missed the first time.
Sound and music elevate every moment. Christopher Larkin’s score is subtle but striking, the kind of soundtrack that breathes life into the world without screaming for attention. Ambient details, from silk rustling to distant quakes, make Pharloom feel reactive, like the world itself is aware of Hornet’s presence. Combine that with generous tools, resources, and optional quests, and you have a game that’s deep, polished, and bursting with content, delivering dozens of hours of exploration, challenge, and discovery.
Beyond combat and exploration, Silksong shines in its quest design and world interactivity. The Wishes system adds layers of optional objectives that encourage players to engage with Pharloom’s inhabitants and environments in meaningful ways. Even simple gather or hunt quests feel purposeful, offering small narrative beats or access to unique tools. It’s a subtle way the game fills the world with life, giving players the sense that Hornet’s journey is part of something larger, even if the story isn’t spelled out in dialogue.
Silksong also excels in rewarding curiosity and experimentation. Hidden routes, secret passages, and environmental puzzles make revisiting areas feel fresh, while the careful placement of collectibles and upgrades pushes players to think creatively. The game trusts you to explore and figure things out on your own, and that sense of discovery, finding something unexpected or mastering a tricky sequence, is incredibly satisfying. Pharloom doesn’t just challenge your skills; it celebrates your curiosity, making each new find feel like a personal victory.
Silksong also impresses with its meticulous pacing and sense of progression. The game gradually ramps up both challenge and complexity, introducing new mechanics, enemy types, and platforming tricks at a pace that feels natural. You’re never overwhelmed all at once, and the satisfaction of mastering a new tool or discovering a hidden shortcut adds a constant sense of momentum. Even the way the world subtly guides you forward without holding your hand makes every step feel earned, keeping the adventure engaging from start to finish.
Silksong also nails its emotional resonance without ever spelling it out. Through its environments, enemy designs, and scattered lore fragments, the game conveys a world that’s lived-in, tragic, and beautiful all at once. Moments of quiet, wandering through abandoned homes, listening to the faint hum of silk, or watching light filter through ruins, hit harder than any cutscene could. It’s a subtle touch, but it gives Pharloom a weight and personality that stays with you long after the controller is down.
Silksong also shines in its replay value and flexibility. With multiple endings, optional quests, and secrets tucked into nearly every nook and cranny, the game encourages players to return again and again. You can experiment with different approaches to combat, explore hidden paths, or chase down elusive collectibles, and each playthrough feels slightly different and rewarding. That sense of endless discovery makes Pharloom feel larger than life, ensuring that even after dozens of hours, there’s always something new to uncover.
Silksong’s boss design is phenomenal, striking the perfect balance between challenge, spectacle, and personality. Each encounter feels distinct and memorable, from early-game test fights against the Moss Mother to the punishing climaxes atop the Citadel against Grand Mother Silk. Bosses aren’t just damage sponges, they have clear patterns, clever tricks, and moments that keep you on your toes, forcing you to adapt Hornet’s abilities on the fly. The thrill of learning a boss’s rhythm, narrowly avoiding a deadly strike, and finally landing the finishing blow is pure, unfiltered exhilaration, making each victory feel like a hard-earned story beat in its own right.
The Negatives ⚠️
Silksong is punishing, sometimes in ways that can feel borderline cruel. Bosses are tough, sure, but the real pain often comes from the run-backs. Death sends you back to your last bench, and the journey to reclaim your lost resources can be as exhausting as the fights themselves. Platforming sequences are long and demanding, filled with spikes, moving platforms, and chains of grapples that require precise timing. Even small mistakes can quickly snowball into a frustrating loss of momentum, which might test the patience of anyone who isn’t a Metroidvania masochist.
Some mob arenas are surprisingly brutal. Multiple enemies attacking at once, each capable of chunking away masks with a single hit, can be more punishing than named bosses. It’s a constant dance of positioning, timing, and learning patterns, which makes every encounter tense, but it also means some areas feel like a grind rather than a thrill. The game’s difficulty is relentless, and while that’s part of the appeal for some, others might find themselves hitting their limit after hours of repeated deaths.
The loadout system, while effective, is also more curated than Hollow Knight’s charms, leaving less room for personal experimentation. Weaver Skills and Crests are clever and add strategic layers, but builds feel more about efficiency than creativity. Combined with the frequent backtracking required for side quests, this can make progress feel tedious at times. Even so, these frustrations are minor compared to the overall brilliance of the game, they just serve as reminders that Silksong is designed to challenge as much as it delights.
The Experience 🎮
Playing Silksong is an emotional rollercoaster of awe, frustration, and triumph. From the first steps in Pharloom to your punishing encounters with bosses, the game constantly tests your reflexes and patience. Every victory feels hard-earned, and every corner of the kingdom begs to be explored. Environmental storytelling is subtle but powerful, rewarding players who pay attention to ruins, statues, and abandoned homes with a deep sense of connection to the world. Discovering Pharloom’s secrets never feels forced, the game lets you piece its history together at your own pace.
The combat is exhilarating and relentless. Hornet’s speed and mobility make fights feel like dances where a single misstep can spell disaster. Boss patterns are complex and punishing, and even standard enemies demand focus. Platforming sequences push your skills to the limit, chaining grapples, wall jumps, and pogo bounces in tense, high-stakes stretches. It’s challenging in the best way, bruising your thumbs and testing your nerve, but every triumph feels extraordinary. The thrill of finally nailing a difficult section or boss encounter is unlike anything else in the genre.
What makes Silksong unforgettable is the way it balances challenge, beauty, and storytelling. Pharloom is a world that feels alive, filled with secrets, lore, and moments of sheer wonder. The ambient sounds, the music, and the way the world reacts to Hornet’s presence pull you in completely. The game is punishing, yes, but it’s a punishment worth enduring, one that leaves you exhilarated, exhausted, and craving more. After six years of anticipation, Silksong is more than a game, it’s an experience that lingers long after you put down the controller.
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