Hollow Knight: Silksong - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

The evolution of video games has been long and, at times, painful. Undoubtedly, one of the most important turning points was when we made the leap to 3D in the mid-1990s, which, for many, left 2D games as a thing of the past. This change brought with it profound consequences, such as a severe setback in design; video game design had to be learned almost from scratch. Fortunately for all of us, the knowledge acquired before that eventuality was quickly revisited, and today we find ourselves in a much more mature era where both styles can coexist seamlessly and even combine in crazy new ways. Hollow Knight: Silksong feels largely like the result of so much experience...Hollow Knight: Silksong largely represents the best of this form of entertainment that we are so passionate about, this in the midst of a difficult crisis for the industry that is looking everywhere to reinvent itself to become profitable again and of course, not stop this unstoppable cascade of creativity that year after year gives us great experiences on all fronts. Almost out of nowhere, this small group of Australians returns to deliver one of the most special video games I have played in a long time at a price that still sounds ridiculous to many, precisely when the conversation on this matter has taken on very intense overtones due to the sustained rise in the price of these products.

Hollow Knight Silksong is an extraordinary achievement in video gaming, an unforgettable work born from an unparalleled creative conglomerate. Silksong is the refinement of a masterpiece.

Silksong is a game that refuses to be anything other than what it is, an unflinchingly robust and brutal sequel that will push you to your limits. Persevere, and you’ll be able to see past its more frustrating choices to experience one of the greatest games of the year, and a testament to giving developers the time and freedom to realise their visions.

There's so much to love about Hollow Knight: Silksong, especially if you were a fan of the first game. This sequel better focuses the narrative with guided exploration and eases the frustrations with the first game's platforming by making the protagonist far more acrobatic. In many respects, that makes it a safe sequel, as much of the game is merely a more polished, approachable, and fulfilling take on what worked well before. But that first game is one of the best metroidvania titles out there, making this sequel equally essential. Hornet's story is more than worth the wait.

Team Cherry confirms their mastery over the metroidvania genre, their raw artistic talent and their somewhat sadistic tendencies too in this sequel that's as enchanting and generous as it is demanding.