Analysis of the “Silk song” Review
This is a detailed and thoughtful review of “Silk Song,” clearly written by someone who deeply engaged with the game and is a fan of it’s predecessor, “Hollow Knight.” Here’s a breakdown of the key points, strengths, and weaknesses highlighted:
Overall Impression:
The reviewer highly enjoyed “Silk Song,” calling it a worthy successor to “Hollow Knight.” They praise its expanded scope, vibrancy, creativity, refined systems, challenging gameplay, and beautiful world. The core message of the game – overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds to improve the world - resonated with them.
strengths:
* Expanded Scope & Creativity: “Larger, more lively, and as creative as its predecessor.” This suggests a notable evolution in world-building and content.
* Refined Systems: ”Almost all the systems have been smartly trimmed.” Indicates improvements to gameplay mechanics and a smoother experience.
* Challenging but Fair: The game is arduous, but provides players with the tools and motivation to overcome obstacles without feeling unfair. This is a hallmark of the “Souls-like” genre that “Hollow Knight” and likely “Silk Song” fall into.
* Exploration & World Design: The world is “beautiful and amazing,” and the game encourages exploration.
* Multiple Paths & Freedom: A key strength is the game’s non-linear structure. The reviewer found alternate routes and access to areas earlier than expected, demonstrating a high degree of player agency. The game doesn’t punish exploration or unconventional approaches.
* Meaningful Message: The game’s core theme of perseverance and making the world a better place is impactful.
Weaknesses (and the most significant critique):
* Ending Structure & “Checklist” Quests: This is the central criticism.The reviewer felt the initial ending was unsatisfying and abrupt. Unlocking the true ending requires completing a significant amount of optional, and sometimes tedious, side content.
* Lack of Clear Signposting: The game doesn’t clearly indicate the existence of the alternative ending or the importance of these optional quests. This coudl lead players to miss considerable content.
* Disconnect Between Quests & Narrative: The reviewer contrasts this with “Hollow knight,” where the requirements for the “Jin Ending” felt organically connected to the protagonist’s journey.In “Silk Song,” some quests feel like arbitrary checklist items (“collecting useless items,” “vanity quests”).
* Significant content Gated Behind Tedious Tasks: The alternative ending and its associated content (including gameplay changes) are hidden behind a substantial amount of optional content (15-20% of the game).
comparison to “Hollow Knight”:
The review consistently draws comparisons to “hollow Knight,” highlighting both improvements and potential regressions. The “Jin Ending” in “Hollow Knight” is used as a benchmark for how to handle alternative endings and optional content. The reviewer sees “Silk Song” as taking the “dash” (movement) of “Hollow Knight” and “changing it into power,” suggesting a more dynamic and action-oriented experience.
the review is overwhelmingly positive, but it’s a nuanced positivity. The reviewer clearly loves the game but isn’t afraid to point out a significant design flaw that could detract from the experience for some players. The issue with the ending structure and optional quests is presented as a puzzling choice by the developers, potentially hindering players from discovering the game’s full potential.
