Hollow Knight: Silksong Metacritic reviews reveal split fan reactions

WEB DESK: The long wait is over. Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally launched, and it has immediately become one of the most talked-about games of the year. Within hours, Team Cherry’s long-anticipated sequel drew in more than half a million players, briefly overwhelming Steam, Xbox, and Nintendo servers as fans rushed to download it.

The excitement, however, has been met with a mixture of glowing praise and sharp criticism. While the majority of players are hailing Silksong as a worthy successor, early user reviews on Metacritic and Steam reveal that not everyone is entirely happy with Hornet’s adventure.

A launch clouded by translation issues

On Steam, the game currently holds an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating overall. Yet dig into the details and you’ll find some discontent bubbling under the surface. In particular, Simplified Chinese players have been review-bombing the game, citing poor translation quality that makes dialogue awkward or even unreadable.

Kotaku highlighted several reviews describing the localisation as “rubbish” with an “ugly font.” Others said they could barely follow what characters were saying. For a game where atmosphere and narrative matter as much as combat, such flaws have struck a nerve.

Team Cherry’s Matthew Griffin acknowledged the problem and promised fixes “in the coming weeks.” Many fans praised the transparency, though some worry the issue will break immersion until corrected.

The missing critic reviews and Metacritic’s role

Adding to the debate is the fact that Hollow Knight Silksong Metacritic has yet to feature a critic score. Unlike most big launches, Team Cherry chose not to hand out advance review codes, explaining that they wanted Kickstarter backers and players to experience the game at the same time as journalists.

That hasn’t stopped users from weighing in. Metacritic’s user review section is already filling up with varied opinions, ranging from glowing endorsements to fiery takedowns.

One user praised the game’s combat and exploration, writing: “Wonderful world and vibes. Solid combat and the exploration is outstanding. The soundtrack is awesome. This the GOTY for me.”

Another described it as “the best sequel possible… everything everybody asked,” while others went even further, calling it superior to the original and warning newcomers to expect a challenging ride.

But the negativity is just as loud. One player argued that the game is “closer to Hollow Knight 1.5 than anything” and criticised its jump mechanics, comparing them to the limited diagonal movement of a chess bishop.

Another slammed it outright: “Not what it seems. The game is ***ed gameplay wise, the balance is dead. Great visuals and sound design are ruined by poor level design and unfair platforming. Currently unplayable.”

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Several reviewers also complained about punishing mechanics like long boss run-backs, double damage from enemies, and a stingy in-game economy. One fan summed it up bluntly: “Good game, but incredibly overrated and a downgrade from the original.”

Still, not all critiques were deal-breakers. A player who gave the game an 8 out of 10 admitted the grind for maps and benches felt exhausting, but also praised the platforming and combat as excellent.

Another review highlighted the thoughtful details, from nuanced controller vibrations to the beauty of the soundtrack, saying “Team Cherry has truly outdone themselves.”

A polarising but powerful sequel

Taken together, the early Metacritic reviews show a divided community. Fans who love the challenge, atmosphere, and art direction see Silksong as a masterpiece, while others feel the sequel veers into frustrating and unbalanced territory.

It’s a reminder that Team Cherry’s sequel is not designed to please everyone. Like its predecessor, Silksong demands patience, precision, and a tolerance for failure. That design philosophy may frustrate some, but for others it’s exactly what makes the game shine.

With fixes to translation on the way and critic reviews still pending, the final word on Hollow Knight: Silksong has yet to be written. For now, it is both one of the most celebrated and most divisive releases of 2025, a game that is already living up to its reputation as one of the year’s biggest talking points.

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