Hollow Knight: Silksong Is Not Easy for Beginners

Author Introduction

My name is Areeba Fatima, writing for OldGamesWorld, and I’ve been deeply involved in gaming for over 5 years. During this time, I’ve played and reviewed dozens of action-adventure and metroidvania titles, especially games that challenge players through skill-based combat and exploration. I’ve personally spent many hours with Hollow Knight: Silksong, exploring its mechanics, strengths, and frustrations. Because of that hands-on experience, I genuinely understand the common problems beginners face when starting this game, and this guide is written to help you overcome them.

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong is not an easy game for beginners—and that’s not a flaw, it’s part of its identity. This action-adventure game builds upon the metroidvania gameplay that made the original Hollow Knight legendary. Set in a mysterious new kingdom, the game follows the Hornet captured storyline, throwing players into a distant land filled with ancient mysteries, ferocious enemies, and demanding boss battles.

What makes Silksong so popular is its 2D hand-drawn art, immersive world-building, and tight, skill-based combat system. Personally, what I loved most was how alive the world feels—from the mossy grottos to the shining citadels, every area feels handcrafted and meaningful.

However, if you’re new, expect a steep learning curve. This step-by-step guide is designed to make that journey smoother.

Why Beginners Struggle With Hollow Knight: Silksong

From my experience, beginners struggle not because the game is unfair, but because it expects patience and learning. Silksong focuses heavily on survival-focused gameplay, exploration-based combat, and mastering Hornet’s silken abilities.

Here are the most common beginner problems I noticed:

1. The Game Feels Too Hard at the Start

Silksong immediately introduces challenging enemies with advanced attack patterns. Unlike many modern games, it doesn’t hold your hand.

What worked for me:
I stopped rushing. Once I treated early areas like training zones instead of obstacles, my performance improved significantly.

2. Confusing Map and Exploration

The interconnected world design can feel overwhelming. Areas like coral forests, haunted kingdoms, and kingdom’s peak are visually stunning but easy to get lost in.

Step-by-step tip:

Explore slowly
Unlock map-related tools early
Mark difficult paths and return later

Gameplay Mechanics and Core Systems (Beginner Breakdown)

Metroidvania Gameplay Explained

Silksong follows classic metroidvania gameplay, meaning:

Progression is tied to character progression
New abilities unlock previously unreachable paths
Backtracking is essential, not optional

The world is designed around the exploration of haunted worlds, where curiosity is always rewarded.

Combat System – Not Button Mashing

Combat is a form of acrobatic combat that incorporates precise timing. Hornet uses:

Deadly thread attacks
Powerful moves
Crafted tools for mobility and damage

In my experience, players who spam attacks struggle more. Silksong rewards patience and positioning.

Common Technical Problems & Step-by-Step Fixes

Hollow Knight: Silksong Not Launching (PC)

This is one of the most reported issues.

Step-by-step guide to fix not-launching issues:

Verify game files via Steam
Update GPU drivers
Disable background overlays
Run the game as administrator

I personally fixed the “not launching” issue by updating my graphics drivers and turning off unnecessary startup apps.

Lag Fix & Performance Issues

Lag can ruin boss battles, especially during fast-paced encounters.

Lag fix tips I used:

Lower shadow and particle effects
Set the game to fullscreen (not borderless)
Cap FPS to maintain stability

After these tweaks, boss battles felt smoother and more responsive.

Controller or Keyboard Not Working

Silksong supports both, but the default layouts may feel uncomfortable.

My recommendation:

Controller for smoother acrobatic combat
Keyboard if you prefer precise movement

Rebinding jump and dash keys made a huge difference for me.

Enemy Variety & Boss Battles – What to Expect

One of Silksong’s strengths is enemy variety. You’ll face:

Beasts
Hunters
Assassins
Kings

Each enemy type forces you to adapt. Boss battles, in particular, are intense and often unforgiving.

Personal advice:
Don’t rush boss battles. I failed many times before learning attack patterns. Once I treated bosses as puzzles instead of damage checks, victories felt incredibly satisfying.

Pros and Cons (Based on My Experience)

Pros

Stunning 2D hand-drawn art
Lore-rich narrative with ancient mysteries
Deep, story-driven adventure
Orchestral game soundtrack that enhances immersion
Hand-crafted environments with unique identities

Cons

Not beginner-friendly
No difficulty settings
The early game can feel punishing

Despite the cons, I believe the challenge is what makes Silksong memorable.

Beginner & Advanced Player Tips

For Beginners

Focus on survival, not speed
Learn enemy patterns
Don’t fear dying—it’s part of progression

For Advanced Players

Master silken abilities
Optimize powerful moves
Explore hidden paths for rare upgrades

In my playthrough, revisiting earlier zones after upgrades made the game feel entirely new.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Performance Optimization

Keep background apps closed
Update audio drivers for soundtrack stability
Use an SSD if possible for faster loading

Exploration Advice

Areas like mossy grottos and shining citadels hide secrets behind difficult paths. Return later when you’re stronger.

Immersion Tip

Play with headphones. The orchestral game soundtrack and ambient sounds dramatically enhance the haunted kingdom atmosphere.

Final Thoughts – Is Silksong Worth It?

To summarize, Hollow Knight: Silksong is not easy for beginners, but it is absolutely worth your time if you enjoy:

Skill-based combat systems
Lore-rich narratives
Immersive world-building
Challenging, exploration-based gameplay

As Areeba Fatima from OldGamesWorld, my honest recommendation is this:
If you’re willing to learn, fail, and improve, Silksong will reward you with one of the most memorable action-adventure experiences in modern gaming.

Stick with it, explore the distant land, and let the echoes of lineage and past guide you forward.

FAQ – Hollow Knight: Silksong

Why is Silksong so good?
Silksong is loved for its tight, skill-based combat, beautiful hand-drawn art, and a deep, lore-rich world that rewards exploration and patience.

Is Silksong really $20?
Yes, Team Cherry has indicated that Silksong will be priced around $20, similar to the original Hollow Knight, offering strong value for its content.

Will Silksong release in 2025?
As of now, Silksong is officially expected to release in 2025, though an exact date has not been fully confirmed.

Why is Silksong so hard?
The game focuses on precise movement, challenging enemies, and pattern-based boss fights, which makes it intentionally difficult—especially for beginners.

What is the top 1 hardest game?
This is subjective, but many players consider Dark Souls, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, or Hollow Knight among the hardest games ever made.