After years of anticipation, Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally here, and diving into it feels every bit as exhilarating as we hoped. Just like the original, it’s mesmerizing and punishing at the same time—leaving us in awe one moment and getting wrecked the next.

Honestly, the bugs are absolutely brutal this time around… and they’re kicking our ass. But it’s so good. For just $20, the amount of content and polish feels almost unreal, and it’s a reminder why Team Cherry has earned a reputation as one of the greatest indie dev teams out there.

From the very start, Silksong feels like a true successor. The world is stunning, full of secrets, hidden paths, and little rewards tucked away in every corner. The soundtrack is absolutely breathtaking—each track adds tension, wonder, or dread at exactly the right moments. On top of that, the controls feel razor-sharp, with Hornet’s agility giving the combat and platforming a faster, smoother flow compared to the Knight’s slower style.

We’re also loving the new quest system. It’s a smart addition that gives us a clearer sense of goals while still keeping that raw, exploratory thrill Hollow Knight is known for. The enemies, too, stand out with unique movesets that keep every encounter feeling tense and unpredictable. And the characters we’ve met so far? Full of personality, with side objectives that are actually worth chasing down.

That said, Silksong isn’t without its frustrations. Some enemies and bosses hit way too hard, sometimes taking off huge chunks of health for small mistakes. Resources like rosaries feel scarce in the early game, making progression a grind at times. Benches can be frustratingly rare, leading to long, punishing runbacks after deaths. And some of the platforming challenges border on sadistic, pushing patience to the limit. On top of that, the limited charm slots keep us from experimenting with more creative builds, which feels like a missed opportunity.

Still, even with these rough edges, the magic of Silksong is undeniable. It’s gorgeous, it’s brutal, and it’s already clear this is going to be another unforgettable experience.

First impression verdict: Silksong is every bit as breathtaking and unforgiving as we dreamed. We can’t wait to see how much deeper this world goes.