Take Your Time: Why You Shouldn’t Rush Hollow Knight: Silksong
▼ Summary
– The author has barely played Hollow Knight: Silksong since its launch due to a fear of getting lost and the anxiety of navigating its vast, uncertain world.
– This apprehension is a recurring phenomenon for the author in metroidvania games, despite the genre being a personal favorite.
– The author prefers a slower, more patient gaming approach, relying on external guides and community documentation to build confidence and reduce anxiety.
– This method of playing with external help is defended as a valid, personalized way to engage with a game, likened to a self-made “easy mode.”
– The article concludes that there is no single correct way to play a game, and players should feel empowered to engage with games on their own terms and timeline.
Exploring the vast and mysterious kingdom of Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong is an experience best savored, not rushed. Like countless other fans, I eagerly downloaded the game the moment it launched, fighting through crashed storefronts to finally get it on my console. Yet, despite the initial excitement, my own journey through the game has progressed at a snail’s pace. While friends have already seen the credits roll and engage in deep, spoiler-filled discussions, my own adventure has only just begun, having recently defeated the early-game Bell Beast.
This pattern isn’t new for me. I often find myself diving into a highly anticipated new release only to set it aside quickly. After some reflection, I identified the root cause of my hesitation with Silksong: a genuine fear of getting lost. It’s not a fear of the game’s creatures or atmosphere, but rather the apprehension that comes with navigating its expansive, labyrinthine world. The anxiety of venturing down a path that might lead to a dead end, or the dread of dying far from a safe bench and losing my progress, creates a mental barrier that is surprisingly powerful.
This feeling is something I frequently encounter with metroidvania games, which is ironic considering it’s one of my favorite genres. Titles like Ori and the Blind Forest and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown offer a profound sense of satisfaction as you unlock new abilities and uncover shortcuts. I genuinely enjoy the process of backtracking with new powers, revisiting familiar areas with a fresh perspective. However, my brain requires a specific, slower tempo to fully appreciate this exploration without being overwhelmed by the sheer scale and uncertainty. The immense world design of Hollow Knight: Silksong, with its multi-step mapping processes, is a significant source of this unease, but it also fuels my desire to meticulously chart every corner of Pharloom.
This cautious approach has led me to adopt a more patient gaming style. I’m content to let other players blaze through the game first, documenting their discoveries and creating guides. There’s an entire community of “patient gamers” who wait to play new titles, often for practical reasons like post-launch patches and DLC. For me, the greater motivation is the wealth of community knowledge that eventually emerges. Having interactive maps, detailed walkthroughs, and video guides at my disposal transforms the experience from daunting to manageable.
When I finally returned to the original Hollow Knight in anticipation of Silksong’s release, I was stuck on the Soul Master fight. After a long hiatus, I used online resources to finally overcome that hurdle. That victory, aided by external help, didn’t feel like a cheat; it felt empowering. It gave me the confidence to push forward and engage with the game’s challenges on my own terms. While some might argue that relying on guides detracts from the developer’s intended, unspoiled experience, I still encounter moments of surprise and awe. I view it as creating a personalized “easy mode” that allows me to appreciate the art and design without the paralysing fear of the unknown.
For example, during my limited time with Silksong, I entered a room and immediately recognized the mini-boss Skarrgard. Because I had already read about the encounter, I made a swift retreat. This is similar to how I might research a horror film before watching it; knowing what’s coming allows me to prepare for the intensity without completely robbing the moment of its impact. My engagement with art is unique to me, and if that means playing a metroidvania with a digital safety net, I still derive immense satisfaction from it.
I have great admiration for players who immerse themselves in a new game on day one, dedicating themselves to an unspoiled discovery process. But that approach isn’t for everyone. In today’s relentless cycle of new releases, there’s immense pressure to finish games quickly, either to keep up with conversation or to make room for the next big title. It’s crucial to remember that your interaction with a game is a personal choice. The collective hype doesn’t have to dictate your pace.
So, I’ll return to Silksong in my own time, with my preferred guardrails in place. However you choose to play, whether as a pioneer or a patient explorer, the most important thing is that you enjoy the journey on your own terms. The game will be waiting for you, ready to offer its wonders whenever you’re ready to dive in.
(Source: Gamespot)
