• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Hollow Knight: Silksong |OT| It’s SHAW-time!!!!

Good news. There's a Konami code to make the game harder for a new playthrough in case you like being dragged on your bare ass through a field of dicks and razor blades.

 
Yo I just beat phantom

great fight

I started out with hunter crest cause I got some upgrade for it that I don't even know what it does (something about focus?) but the winning setup used reaper crest since the best way to hit such a fast small enemy is straight Scrooge McDuckin' them and reaper has a bigger, wider pogo attack. Then I added the sprinty thingy item to escape their wide blast attacks and poison knives to squeeze some extra damage out of them in the late phases when they reappear after a blast.

And did I read that right? Did I just unlock parry? oooohhhh that's hype
 
Should I say the deeper parts of the Deep Docks for later? I'm ready to explore my 3rd area, and I've gotten farther in these deep docks and there seems to be a pretty significant difficulty spike here. Enemies hitting me pretty hard and I keep dying. Wonder if I just have to tough out this part or go pursue other areas first. There's this big guy who chases you around and can jump up through platforms, meanwhile you have those lava explode-y things and flying things chucking bombs at you. It's incredibly overwhelming. And they each take 2-3 life hits away from you per hit instead of just one.
 
DragoonKain said:
Should I say the deeper parts of the Deep Docks for later? I'm ready to explore my 3rd area, and I've gotten farther in these deep docks and there seems to be a pretty significant difficulty spike here. Enemies hitting me pretty hard and I keep dying. Wonder if I just have to tough out this part or go pursue other areas first. There's this big guy who chases you around and can jump up through platforms, meanwhile you have those lava explode-y things and flying things chucking bombs at you. It's incredibly overwhelming. And they each take 2-3 life hits away from you per hit instead of just one.
Click to expand...
*Save. I tried to edit the post, but it said I couldn't edit giveaway posts and it's not a giveaway post, so probably a forum bug.
 
MagiusNecros said:
Successive attacks indicated by your crest icon glowing white boosts your weapon attack power I believe until you get hit.
Click to expand...
thanks, glad I switched since you can only really get one hit in at a time on fast boss zipping around like that
DragoonKain said:
*Save. I tried to edit the post, but it said I couldn't edit giveaway posts and it's not a giveaway post, so probably a forum bug.
Click to expand...
I haven't finished that game but sounds like you should seek upgrades elsewhere and return later
 
Hi guys. Not here to complain about difficulty but just got to the Hunter's March and am really struggling. Does this mean I suck or is this considered a hard early game spot?

If I went to a different area and came back later would I have a better shot at it or is this an area I really should clear out now?
 
Metnut said:
Hi guys. Not here to complain about difficulty but just got to the Hunter's March and am really struggling. Does this mean I suck or is this considered a hard early game spot?

If I went to a different area and came back later would I have a better shot at it or is this an area I really should clear out now?
Click to expand...
only just got to act 2, haven't beat the game, but hunters march was the hardest part of the game for me so far. I don't mind the increase in power of normal enemies, but there is a boss you fight there called savage beastfly and I found them incredibly frustrating and unfair. There is miniboss fight with mobs of normal enemies there too, and it seems tricky until you realize your ally in the fight is pretty good and you can prioritize staying alive over doing damage.
 
I'm just taking my time... exhausting as much as I can before Act 1. Tried Widow a couple times, I'm sure that unlocks the stores in Bell-ville or whatever it's called.

I just found the Mist... incredibly annoying and I'm not bothering with that yet. Think I'm basically done with Sinner's Path and Bile-land or whatever it's called. Before that I was sent to the Slab, and I still have doors to unlock there. No idea where that last key is, been all through there everywhere I can go.

Far as I can tell I don't have much left to do after I beat Widow and get everything that's sold in Bell-ville. Just head up to top of Steps and do whatever I need to do there. And obviously the Mist.

Still only have 1 mask/health upgrade, and zero weapons upgrades. I love some of the tools though... the trap is great.
 
Metnut said:
Hi guys. Not here to complain about difficulty but just got to the Hunter's March and am really struggling. Does this mean I suck or is this considered a hard early game spot?

If I went to a different area and came back later would I have a better shot at it or is this an area I really should clear out now?
Click to expand...

It's a lil tough, no doubt. Just gotta know the layout, get used to the enemy patterns, know how to pick your spots. Just like anything else, hardest zone tends to be the newest zone.
 
Touch fuzZy. get BizZay said:
only just got to act 2, haven't beat the game, but hunters march was the hardest part of the game for me so far. I don't mind the increase in power of normal enemies, but there is a boss you fight there called savage beastfly and I found them incredibly frustrating and unfair. There is miniboss fight with mobs of normal enemies there too, and it seems tricky until you realize your ally in the fight is pretty good and you can prioritize staying alive over doing damage.
Click to expand...

Beastfly was hardest for me, too. I think it's the boss in this game that taught me how to fight bosses in this game... and even some enemies. Had to change how I thought about movement in that fight.

Haven't gotten into Widow yet... will see how that compares.
 
EruditeHobo said:
Beastfly was hardest for me, too. I think it's the boss in this game that taught me how to fight bosses in this game... and even some enemies. Had to change how I thought about movement in that fight.

Haven't gotten into Widow yet... will see how that compares.
Click to expand...
For me it felt like I just had to keep fighting them over and over until I got lucky with the mobs either getting stomped by the bosses attacks enough times that I couldn't get cornered or they didn't block my attacks when they were summoned in so I could take them out quick and refocus on the bosses attacks. If those things don't happen then I'm just in a corner and there's no where to go. The very thing that would be the correct reaction to what one enemy is going is the same thing that will get me killed by what another enemy is doing at the the same time.

So I didn't feel satisfaction upon beating them the way I did beating widow or phantom. Just relief and exhaustion. Widow is relatively easy though a bit bullet helly or maybe bell helly so you do have to learn patterns. If you are curious about weapon upgrades you get the first one in bellhart after beating widow
 
I want to perfectly illustrate my fundamental issue with this game and why I could never give this higher than a 6/10 unless I'm missing a checkpoint. Sorry for crap phone quality.

My start point is there at the bottom left where you see hornet logo. The silk cocoon is as far as I've gotten in the top right.

No checkpoints as you can see full exploration everywhere.

Enemies every room, traps, poison, critters that eat away at your silk, tight platforming, and more.

11 separate large rooms so far and what looked to be a boss room in that upper left quadrant I haven't gone to yet.

How can someone design a game and think this is fair and fine?

9OoY0C6nwgZf1KB8.jpeg


Edit: Yep. Into a boss room. Incredible how far off the mark this game is. Anyone glazing this needs to get their head checked.
 
Last edited:
Sigh.

So….yeah. I feel like an old man in a young man's game. As much as I'm loving this title, and I'm really enjoying what I've seen and played so far, I just don't think these old man reflexes are up to the job anymore. I'm just not good enough. Not quick enough. I ended up skill blocked from seeing the true ending in Hollow Knight because I could not complete the Path of Pain (nor complete the Pantheons). I'm still on Act I, but I just know there's going to be a boss or a section in this where I'm going to be woefully out of my depth, and I don't know if I can be bothered to persevere when I die in two hits, and then have to trek a few minutes to only die in 30 seconds again. It robs me of the incentive to play.

That's not the fault on the game, in fact when I can beat a boss after a lot of struggle it's an incredible feeling, but as I grow older, I do kind of wish for an easy option. Perhaps I'll take that mod up to reduce damage to one mask per hit, as that would make things far more manageable, as I really wish to see everything this game has to offer.
 
Last edited:
Arsic said:
I want to perfectly illustrate my fundamental issue with this game and why I could never give this higher than a 6/10 unless I'm missing a checkpoint. Sorry for crap phone quality.

My start point is there at the bottom left where you see hornet logo. The silk cocoon is as far as I've gotten in the top right.

No checkpoints as you can see full exploration everywhere.

Enemies every room, traps, poison, critters that eat away at your silk, tight platforming, and more.

11 separate large rooms so far and what looked to be a boss room in that upper left quadrant I haven't gone to yet.

How can someone design a game and think this is fair and fine?

9OoY0C6nwgZf1KB8.jpeg


Edit: Yep. Into a boss room. Incredible how far off the mark this game is. Anyone glazing this needs to get their head checked.
Click to expand...
You are missing a bench behind a breakable wall near the mid top right. Check MapGenie
 
Been using a guide and its definitely up my enjoyment of the game. Just about to
unlock the dash and explore more of deep down. Its keeping me grounded knowing Im in an area around where I supposed to be instead of wondering to a high level zone.
 
Arsic said:
Got it. This bench sucks too cuz it seems like I have to get poisoned to get out of the room…
Click to expand...
There is also a trinket that prevents poison. But yeah, not defending Team Cherry, they definitely went overboard with the balancing imo. Still love the game though.
 
Made it through the ant area with red spikes everywhere. I like how the game is all "you're gonna learn to use the dive and bounce on things now" good shit. Lots of times these kind of games don't provide any challenge in plat forming until basically the end or optional areas, glad to see something like this so soon in the game.
Also the bug room where the singing vendor guy fights with you was badass. More of that plz.
 
I end up buying it, not regretting it so far. I'm still in act 1 and I keep finding more and more stuff. Just found a place called Sinner's Road. Massive amount of content.
 
I remember being annoying in the first game for the silly and amateurish sound effects. Like, often it sounded like human voices? Some guy making sounds or just speaking gibberish. Is it the same in this game?
 
existensmaximum said:
I remember being annoying in the first game for the silly and amateurish sound effects. Like, often it sounded like human voices? Some guy making sounds or just speaking gibberish. Is it the same in this game?
Click to expand...

What you call "silly and amateurish" is intentional and works beautifully, it's still here so yes, avoid one of the best games of the generation due to "voices" lol.

I have 3 paths for the main quest now, game continues to be god-tier. Unfortunately I won't go for the platinum because I'm not into speed run trophies at all (with rare exception, recently got the MGS Delta plat which requires clearing it under 5 hours with certain conditions, I did it in 3) and there are technically 2 of them. Savouring every moment of this full playthrough, will have a lot to say once I'm done with it.
 
I always forget how large and detailed the environments are, there are so many paths and secrets. I finally made it through Greymoor to Bellhart and got the cling grip, which really opens the game up, and now I'm exploring a ton of new areas, when I probably should be going back to save the townsfolk.

So far Moorwing has been my favorite boss, though Sister Splinter was very cool too and would have been if not for her summons. I know I'm still early, but the game demands you use everything at your disposal (especially traps, that I always forget about). Overall it's getting better as I go, after somewhat of a slow and rocky start.
 
Arsic said:
I want to perfectly illustrate my fundamental issue with this game and why I could never give this higher than a 6/10 unless I'm missing a checkpoint. Sorry for crap phone quality.

My start point is there at the bottom left where you see hornet logo. The silk cocoon is as far as I've gotten in the top right.

No checkpoints as you can see full exploration everywhere.

Enemies every room, traps, poison, critters that eat away at your silk, tight platforming, and more.

11 separate large rooms so far and what looked to be a boss room in that upper left quadrant I haven't gone to yet.

How can someone design a game and think this is fair and fine?

9OoY0C6nwgZf1KB8.jpeg


Edit: Yep. Into a boss room. Incredible how far off the mark this game is. Anyone glazing this needs to get their head checked.
Click to expand...
There is a hidden room with a bench. Even so, it is not near the boss, and I agree that area is worse than Blighttown.
 
TheDarkPhantom said:
What you call "silly and amateurish" is intentional and works beautifully, it's still here so yes, avoid one of the best games of the generation due to "voices" lol.

I have 3 paths for the main quest now, game continues to be god-tier. Unfortunately I won't go for the platinum because I'm not into speed run trophies at all (with rare exception, recently got the MGS Delta plat which requires clearing it under 5 hours with certain conditions, I did it in 3) and there are technically 2 of them. Savouring every moment of this full playthrough, will have a lot to say once I'm done with it.
Click to expand...
Oh no I didn't avoid it because of the voices, they were just annoying on top of everything else I didn't like. It's just not a game for me.
 
Finished first blind playthrough, 20 hours 45 minutes.

I somehow missed the way to upgrade my needle until literally the penultimate boss. So I think the talk of too difficult is greatly exaggerated lol.

This is every bit as good as hollow knight, and Silksong stands on its own with its own style of gameplay. The world is amazing and beautiful and so well put together with great challenges and secrets every where.

It was worth the wait.

11/10
 
Arsic said:
Edit: Yep. Into a boss room. Incredible how far off the mark this game is. Anyone glazing this needs to get their head checked.
Click to expand...

I got frustrated in the same area, but the reward of the success in those predicaments isn't there if it's easier. And figuring it out, unlocking that travel point while not losing the beads despite there being a single enemy in there that gives beads, that feeling isn't there if there's a bunch of checkpoints. And that was a bigger win for me because of my own overreach and having to figure it out than basically every boss so far.

Think that's really kind of the central point to the game... calling it bad design is pretty lazy IMO. Not doing what you want or prefer is not necessarily bad design.

Arsic said:
Got it. This bench sucks too cuz it seems like I have to get poisoned to get out of the room…
Click to expand...

Surely not...

Anyways... just finished boss Widow, which was fantastic. And because I'm 20 hours in and got really frustrated by Beastfly about 10 hours ago, and probably learned how to move around in boss rooms in that fight, she was actually much easier than I was expecting. Also due to expectations seeing so many say it was a difficult fight. Got tons of time to heal in there, got used to the projectiles pretty quickly, and really loved seeing the 2nd phase pop. Maybe took me 10-15 tries. Beastfly embarrassingly was probably more like 20-25.

Anyways. Got my weapon upgrade, almost cleared out all the vendors. I suspect that I need either double jump and/or whatever silk upgrade is used to navigate those rings in order to progress without moving to act 2... but it's hard to say. I don't see many more places to go without that stuff. Except the Mist... which I'm not SUPER looking forward to.
 
Oh shit. So instead of torturing myself with jumping puzzles, I can make things easier by waiting for the double jump? Can you still go back to Act I areas after finishing it?
 
T-Cake said:
Oh shit. So instead of torturing myself with jumping puzzles, I can make things easier by waiting for the double jump? Can you still go back to Act I areas after finishing it?
Click to expand...


When Hornet becomes a ninja, those damn jumping sections look completely different. The new movesets make a huge difference.
 
existensmaximum said:
I remember being annoying in the first game for the silly and amateurish sound effects. Like, often it sounded like human voices? Some guy making sounds or just speaking gibberish. Is it the same in this game?
Click to expand...

Yes, the world and the characters within it have their own language. Not a difficult concept to understand. Happens in many such games.
 
Last edited:
xenosys said:
Yes, the world and the characters within it have their own language. Not a difficult concept to understand. Happens in many such games.
Click to expand...
That's not the issue for me, but that it's just not well-made compared to other made up languages in games. It just sounds like a human person speaking gibberish. Whatever.
 
Last Judge:
can the death animation kill you? When they started looking like they were gonna explode I got way the fuck away cause mama didn't raise no fool, but that would've been devastating if it can lol

On to act 2, finally! That took me an hour straight of attempts. Could do the corpse run blind now.
 
Patch incoming.

Here's the full list of tweaks:


  • Fixed situation where players could remain cloakless after Slab escape sequence.
  • Fixed wish Infestation Operation often not being completable during the late game.
  • Fixed wish Beast in the Bells not being completable when Bell Beast is summoned at the Bilewater Bellway during the late game.
  • Fixed getting stuck floating after down-bouncing on certain projectiles.
  • Fixed courier deliveries sometimes being inaccessible in Act 3.
  • Fixed craft bind behaving incorrectly when in memories.
  • Fixed Lace tool deflect soft-lock at start of battle in Deep Docks.
  • Fixed Silk Snippers in Chapel of the Reaper sometimes getting stuck out of bounds.
  • Fixed Claw Mirrors leaving Hornet inverted if taking damage during a specific moment while binding.
  • Fixed Snitch Pick not giving rosaries and shell shards as intended.
  • Removed float override input (down + jump, after player has Faydown Cloak).
  • Slight difficulty reduction in early game bosses Moorwing and Sister Splinter.
  • Reduction in damage from Sandcarvers.
  • Slight increase in pea pod collider scale.
  • Slight reduction in mid-game Bellway and Bell Bench prices.
  • Slight increase in rosary rewards from relics and psalm cylinders.
  • Increase in rosary rewards for courier deliveries.
  • Various additional fixes and tweaks.
Click to expand...
 
Difficulty nerf is incoming

Article:

Hollow Knight: Silksong's Upcoming Patch Will Nerf The Difficulty In Certain Areas


Team Cherry Team Cherry has announced the first patch for Hollow Knight: Silksong, bringing a solid selection of fixes and improvements to the newly-released game (thanks, Eurogamer).

Due for launch "mid next week", one key aspect of the patch is that it will actually nerf the game's difficulty in certain areas – primarily relating to two early boss encounters and a reduction in damage from the 'Sandcarver' enemy.

Prices for certain items will also be decreased, while certain rosary rewards will see a slight bump.


Here's full patch notes:

f4Axi36Dq73lmM1U.jpg
 
After about 6hrs of playing, I don't mind Silksong's difficulty, but the level design and lack of an initial map are dragging down my experience. Without a map from the start, exploration feels aimless. I spend more time backtracking to find the nearest bench or NPC selling the area's map than actually enjoying the world. The risk of dying and losing currency needed for the map adds unnecessary frustration, not challenge. Compared to something like dark souls, where levels flow intuitively, Silksong's level design feels clunky and obstructive. Anyone else finding the map system and level design more annoying than engaging?
 
Last edited:
proandrad said:
After about 6hrs of playing, I don't mind Silksong's difficulty, but the level design and lack of an initial map are dragging down my experience. Without a map from the start, exploration feels aimless. I spend more time backtracking to find the nearest bench or NPC selling the area's map than actually enjoying the world. The risk of dying and losing currency needed for the map adds unnecessary frustration, not challenge. Compared to something like dark souls, where levels flow intuitively, Silksong's level design feels clunky and obstructive. Anyone else finding the map system and level design more annoying than engaging?
Click to expand...
It's the same in hollow knight, It was a common complaint 7 years ago but I think we're all just used to the map abuse at this point.
 
Went back to The Mist, completely forgot about it. Figured out how to navigate through it, very cool. This process of discovery and unravelling of the mystery is part of what makes this game so special, I don't know why anyone would want to use a guide, cheapens and diminishes the intended experience.
 
The first game is the #10'th highest grossing game on Steam right now. All the talk about Silksong is driving interest & sales.
Game also had its highest CCU on Sunday with 95,655 users.
 
Zuzu said:
Difficulty nerf is incoming

Article:

Hollow Knight: Silksong's Upcoming Patch Will Nerf The Difficulty In Certain Areas


Team Cherry Team Cherry has announced the first patch for Hollow Knight: Silksong, bringing a solid selection of fixes and improvements to the newly-released game (thanks, Eurogamer).

Due for launch "mid next week", one key aspect of the patch is that it will actually nerf the game's difficulty in certain areas – primarily relating to two early boss encounters and a reduction in damage from the 'Sandcarver' enemy.

Prices for certain items will also be decreased, while certain rosary rewards will see a slight bump.


Here's full patch notes:

f4Axi36Dq73lmM1U.jpg
Click to expand...
I honestly don't get why they nerfed that Sister Splinter from the patch - super easy fight, you just have to watch out for the adds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Hollow Knight Silksong Free Expansion Announced - Sea of Sorrow - Alongside Switch 2 Edition of Hollow Knight
42
1K
The_hunter replied
Hollow Knight Silksong | Reviews Threads
Analysis Review 
29
1K
ADiTAR replied
Hollow Knight Silksong gets easy mode mod on PC
14
694
Zacfoldor replied
Hollow Knight SIlksong releases September 4
News Hype  6 7 8 9 10
459
7K
HYDE replied
Hollow Knight Silksong is 100 on OpenCritic [Update] Now 94
2
94
4K
CrimsonTide replied
Top Bottom