Hollow Knight: Silksong launched on Steam with over half a million players. However, many fans are leaving negative reviews, citing the game's excessive difficulty as its main drawback.
Difficulty in video games always sparks debate: for some players, a challenge is a motivator, but when the line between reward and frustration is crossed, part of the audience reacts with negative reviews.
FromSoftware shows that challenging games can be successful without difficulty settings: Dark Souls and Elden Ring are known for their tough mechanics. However, players unfamiliar with such projects often find themselves overwhelmed and express dissatisfaction through low ratings. This is exactly what is happening with Silksong.
On the Steam forum, users complain: "I want to love the game, but the death penalties are too harsh," "Ten hours in the game is pure torture," "This is no longer a Metroidvania, but rather a Souls-like." Even longtime fans of the original admit that the level of difficulty is impressive, but not always enjoyable.
The game has an Assist Mode for those who are struggling. It doesn't make Silksong easy, but it provides the necessary support and relief.
