As someone who deeply enjoyed the first Hollow Knight, stepping into the world of Hollow Knight: Silksong has been both exciting and, at times, overwhelming. While the game delivers stunning visuals, challenging combat, and that same mysterious charm the series is known for, it hasn’t quite convinced me that it surpasses its predecessor just yet.

The main reason? Size. The sheer scale of Silksong is its greatest strength, but also its biggest weakness. Unlike the original game, where exploration felt consistently rewarding, this sequel often stretches moments of progress much further apart. That makes me feel like I need to invest several long sessions before truly achieving anything meaningful.

The Challenge of Exploration

Metroidvania fans know what to expect—backtracking, exploring hidden paths, and fighting through endless challenges. In classics like Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, this formula shines, and the first Hollow Knight nailed it perfectly. Every upgrade, whether a simple health boost or a movement ability like dash or double jump, added real value and made backtracking fun instead of tedious.

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In Silksong, however, the gaps between those rewarding upgrades feel longer. The thrill of unlocking something new is less frequent, and instead, exploration often leads to large rooms packed with enemies but little payoff. When that happens repeatedly, the sense of adventure gets replaced with mild frustration.

When Bigger Isn’t Always Better

One look at the map comparison between the original Hollow Knight and Silksong shows just how much more expansive this sequel is. Team Cherry clearly poured passion and effort into building a massive, layered world. Yet, the sheer size can feel overwhelming rather than inviting. Players who enjoyed the tightly designed areas of the first game may find themselves getting lost in the endless sprawl here.

On top of that, the in-game economy often feels punishing. From spending currency on maps, benches, and key items, the game constantly pressures you to manage resources carefully. While challenge is part of the series’ identity, there are times when it feels more draining than engaging.

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Why I’m Still Hooked

Despite my criticisms, I’m still committed to finishing Silksong. There’s no denying the game’s beauty, atmosphere, and moments of brilliance. The combat remains sharp, the world is breathtaking, and the soundtrack enhances every corner of the journey. It’s a game that demands patience and dedication, and when progress finally arrives, it feels worth the struggle.

Still, I can’t help but wonder: has the sequel become a little too ambitious for its own good? Sometimes, less truly is more. The original struck a perfect balance between exploration, progression, and challenge. Silksong leans heavily into scope, which risks stretching the fun thinner than necessary.

Final Thoughts

At this stage, my main concern with Hollow Knight: Silksong isn’t its difficulty or resource system—it’s the overwhelming scale of its map and the pacing of its rewards. While it’s an undeniably impressive sequel, it occasionally trades the tight, meaningful design of the original for sheer size and complexity.

That said, I’m grateful we have more of this world to explore. For fans of the genre, it’s still an adventure worth taking, even if it requires a little more patience than expected. Whether Silksong ultimately wins me over as the better game remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it’s a journey I won’t be abandoning anytime soon.