Hollow Knight: Silksong almost defeated me

REVIEW: A masterful Metroidvania that hides its true challenge in an optional third act. But it left me wondering: how many players will actually make it to the end?

One of many beautiful and somber moments, in what is an incredibly nuanced game.

With a few thrusts of the needle, it was done. After a gruelling 40 hours with Hollow Knight: Silksong, piloting Hornet as she navigated its world and defeated unique bosses that demand precision, I had beaten its final boss and the game. Or so I thought.

Delighted with my achievement, I quickly posted a note on Substack. Plenty of thoughts ran through my mind about how to describe this title that broke the internet on launch: It’s one that players will rage at but can’t stop playing, I mused. It raises some fascinating debates on difficulty and accessibility, yet it leaves the player with a sense of accomplishment that many other games can’t muster.

Then it dawned on me. This final fight seemed a little easy for what was the notoriously hard game. Earlier bosses required dozens of attempts; I cleared this one in just two. My instincts were spot on. There was more. A lot more.

I had finished Act 2, but there…