Silksong divides players: fair challenge or frustrating design issues?

With every release, there are video games that transcend their genre to become cultural events . Hollow Knight: Silksong , the long-awaited sequel to Team Cherry's cult title, promised to be one of them. However, what began as excitement has morphed into a fierce debate: is Silksong a brilliantly challenging metroidvania, or an unfair design that ruins the fun?

Since its release, many users have pointed out that Silksong is noticeably more difficult than Hollow Knight . Common enemies deal more damage than some bosses, their attack patterns are more complex, and in the first few hours of the game, the imbalances are palpable.

One of the most criticized aspects is the dreaded runback : repeating long journeys to return to a boss after dying. What was supposed to be a means of increasing tension becomes a punishing experience that exhausts even veterans. “I'm not having fun anymore,” wrote one player on the forums, echoing those who feel the challenge has become an obstacle.

In contrast, a portion of the community is defending Team Cherry tooth and nail. For them, difficulty isn't a flaw, but the soul of Silksong. On Reddit, one fan commented, "You guys need to improve [git gud]," making it clear that overcoming adversity is part of the journey.

This sector remembers that the first Hollow Knight was already a demanding title, and that the sense of accomplishment after defeating an impossible boss is what makes the series special . For them, asking for Silksong to be more accessible is a distortion of its identity.

Beyond the clash of factions, the debate reveals a deeper dilemma: should a game prioritize accessibility or stick to extreme challenge? Some critics argue that Silksong places its story and exploration behind an artificial wall of difficulty , alienating new players and hindering the series' ability to grow as a global phenomenon.

Others, however, celebrate Team Cherry's resistance to the trend of simplifying mechanics. For them, Silksong is a testament to classic metroidvanias, designed to challenge patience and skill.

Team Cherry's lack of an official stance has prompted players to seek solutions. Within a few weeks, mods emerged that tweak difficulty parameters : reducing damage taken, modifying enemy frequency, and making exploration routes easier.

These mods allow those looking to enjoy Silksong's story and atmosphere without the pressure of crushing difficulty. However, purists see them as a betrayal of the game's spirit.

For now, Team Cherry hasn't announced any difficulty-modifying patches , leaving the debate as lively as ever. What's certain is that Silksong has achieved something few games can: dividing its community and becoming a cultural phenomenon beyond its mechanics .

The Metroidvania proves that, in the year 2025, the clash between accessibility and challenge continues to shape gaming. Will Silksong be remembered as a demanding masterpiece or as a game that lost some of its fans due to a poor balance in its design?