Is Hollow Knight: Silksong too hard? Well, it depends on what you mean by “hard.”

Like its predecessor, Silksong allows players to refill some of their health after gathering enough silk by hitting enemies. But even this nod to forgiveness is relatively punishing, since the health refill freezes your character in a defenseless pose for a few seconds. There’s nothing quite so deflating as seeing an attempted health recharge get thwarted by an enemy lunging in for an inopportune attack.

Arcane difficulty

How well does the game explain its inner workings? Are there detailed tutorials explaining the basic controls and deeper strategies? Or do you have to figure it all out on your own? Are there signposts showing you what to do next?

The most difficult part of Silksong, for me, is often figuring out where I should be going. Before I find a map in a new region, I often find myself flummoxed trying to remember which paths I’ve already explored and which I still need to work through. And even with an in-game map in hand, it’s difficult for me to remember which previously inaccessible corners might now be opened thanks to a new ability.

Even buying maps from Shakra won’t help you find all of Silksong‘s secrets.

Credit:
Team Cherry

I’m willing to allow that this might be a personal problem with my sense of direction. Still, I’d imagine I’m not the only one who finds navigating Silksong‘s labyrinthine halls to be unexpectedly difficult.

The in-game map also purposefully obscures some of the game’s secret nooks and crannies, which can only be found with careful observation (or a handy walkthrough). Many players could miss some of the game’s most useful abilities if they’re not observant. And while the game gives some basic tutorials for new abilities, a few mechanics seem intentionally obscured. I didn’t know until hearing about the move in a YouTube video that you could dash downward to quickly reach the ground, for instance.

Grindable difficulty

Does the game give a patient player enough additional power, upgrades, tools, or knowledge to defeat difficult challenges? Or are you pretty much stuck with the techniques and abilities given to you at the outset?

For players willing to do a little optional exploring, Silksong can actually be pretty generous with the power upgrades. Hidden paths and missions can often lead directly to improvements for your health, weaponry, and move set that can pay huge dividends for later challenges in the game. And the required upgrades that you receive after certain bosses (see “Gated Difficulty,” below) can often make earlier challenges in the game that much simpler if and when you backtrack a bit.