So, I finally got my hands on Hollow Knight Silksong, and let me just say, it’s basically a beautiful mess that somehow works. I thought I was signing up for a chill gaming session, but nope — I got plunged into this labyrinthian underworld that’s as stunning as it is infuriating. Like seriously, who designs these maps?
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The game dumps you in some eerie, yet insanely gorgeous environments. You’ve got those bioluminescent mushrooms that remind you of a trippy disco party and tunnels that twist and turn like they’re laughing at your poor sense of direction. I swear, every time I think I’m going to progress, I just end up backtracking to places that, for some reason, I’ve seen a hundred times already. It’s like the game is designed by a particularly mischievous sprite. I mean, do they have a course on building convoluted maps at game dev school?
But one can’t complain too much amidst the beauty. It’s not just the visuals; it’s that little insect warrior you play as. Hornet is her name, and she’s as graceful as a cryptid ballerina. We’re talking agility that would make Olympic gymnasts cry; however, she’s stuck with navigating this underground flick of a fever dream. Also, can I just say? The enemies are cuter than they have any right to be, until they start stabbing you, that is. They mingle so well with the atmosphere, giving you the overwhelming urge to both squash and squee.
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And don’t get me started on the quests. Some are straightforward — clear, concise, rewarding. But then there are those where the objective is basically ‘Go find that thing in that place…somewhere.’ Right, like I’m supposed to know where ‘who-knows-where’ is. I mean, enjoy the confusion while it lasts, right? At least there’s some cryptic NPC muttering things that might be helpful if you could listen between the lines of their existential crises.
I stumbled across this blog and realized I’m not the only one ranting about it. It’s mildly comforting to know I’m in good company. How do other people find their way? Are they psychic? Do they possess some artifact of vision I’m unaware of?
Anyway, every time I manage to defeat a boss that previously wiped the floor with my face, it feels like a personal triumph. Those moments, along with the haunting melodies, draw you back in. I mean, how can a game entice you with its ethereal music and sucker-punch you with its unforgiving mechanics simultaneously?
My eyes still hurt from the relentless searching. I need coffee. Ugh.