A Tale of Two Player Bases: Hollow Knight: Silksong’s First Hours Draw Contrasting Reactions from Veterans and Newcomers

After a legendary waiting period, Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally been released, and the gaming community has been buzzing with reactions. From the moment Hornet takes her first steps into the new kingdom of Pharloom, players are noticing a fundamental shift in the game’s design and feel. The game is a stunning visual and mechanical evolution of its predecessor, but the early hours have been met with starkly different responses from those who are new to the franchise and those who have spent hundreds of hours in Hallownest. The core of this divide comes down to one key point: while newcomers are struggling with the steep learning curve, veterans of the original game are finding that they are “picking it up a lot faster.”

Hornet’s Agility: A Double-Edged Needle

The most significant change in Silksong is its protagonist, Hornet. Unlike the slow, methodical pace of the Knight, Hornet is a nimble, acrobatic character who can sprint, climb, and execute a number of fast-paced, fluid movements. This new moveset is a major point of discussion in early player reviews. For veterans, Hornet’s enhanced mobility feels like a natural and liberating evolution of the core gameplay. As one fan on Reddit put it, “I’m finding it way easier ‘cos I played a lot of Mega Man as a kid. The speed increase means I can do more, correct easier and avoid some battles if I choose.” For these players, the game’s fundamentals “click” faster, as they have already mastered the core tenets of Metroidvania exploration and combat from their time in the first game.

However, for newcomers, this increased pace is a baptism by fire. The game is noticeably more difficult from the get-go, with enemies often hitting for two “masks” of health, making even small mistakes feel punishing. While Team Cherry’s official messaging had suggested that Silksong could be a player’s first experience with the franchise, many newcomers are reporting that the game feels “unforgiving” and has a “steep difficulty curve.” The game expects players to quickly get acquainted with a more complex and versatile moveset, and this can be overwhelming for those who are not already familiar with the fast-paced, precision-based platforming that defines the genre. As one player on the Steam forums noted, “The game doesn’t give you a lot of time to get used to Hornet before it expects you to have mastered her and starts throwing crazy challenges at you.”

The Challenge of a Sequel and a New Audience

This is a classic problem that every sequel must contend with. Team Cherry has to balance the need to push the franchise forward with the desire to make the game accessible to a new, larger audience. While Hornet’s movement is a massive upgrade for veterans, it is also what makes the game so much harder for new players. The early hours are a test of skill, and many newcomers have expressed frustration with the demanding platforming sections and bosses that are often designed to punish players who approach them with the same slow, cautious strategy they might have used in the original game.

The sentiment from the community is that Silksong feels less like a sequel and more like a high-level DLC, one that assumes the player has already mastered the core mechanics of the first game. As one Redditor commented, “The difficulty at the beginning of Silksong feels like the game assumes you’ve played through Hollow Knight.” This has led to a major divide in the player base, with veterans enjoying the new challenges and newcomers struggling to find their footing. While some developers have suggested that the difficulty will even out as players progress and unlock more abilities, the initial barrier to entry is a significant point of concern. For now, the general consensus is clear: if you are new to the franchise, it may be a good idea to play the original Hollow Knight first, as it serves as an excellent, and much-needed, tutorial for the world of Silksong.

The new game’s success is a testament to the years of hype and the quality of the product, but it’s also a powerful reminder that even a beloved indie studio can struggle to please everyone. The contrast in player reactions highlights the delicate balancing act of creating a sequel that is both a worthy evolution and a welcoming entry point for a new generation of players.