Hollow Knight Silksong Switch 1 & 2 Performance Review & Initial Thoughts...

Summary

Hollow Knight: Silksong has officially launched, and early impressions highlight its impressive performance and enriched gameplay on both Switch One and Switch 2. Players can enjoy 120Hz support, customizable HUD, camera shake toggle, and full button remapping. The story follows Hornet on a vertical journey through Falloom, with new silk-based abilities, fast travel, and optional mini-quests. Visually, the game retains the beloved parallax style of its predecessor, while the audio is notably improved and more emotive. Performance is flawless across modes, with minor HUD bugs and slight visual differences between consoles. Overall, Silksong expands on the original’s charm with added depth, exploration, and character engagement.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Hollow Knight: Silksong has successfully released, causing high demand and platform crashes during launch.
• 🖥️ The game supports 120 Hz on Switch 2 if the TV is compatible, with Switch 1 running at HD 1080p; performance is smooth on both.
• ⚡ Both docked and handheld modes run the game maxed out without drops, though minor HUD toggle bugs exist.
• 🏆 There are 50 achievements, including secret ones and a challenging speedrun under 5 hours.
• 🕹️ Players can customize HUD size, turn camera shake on/off, and fully remap controls to suit preferences.
• 👧 Hornet, the protagonist, is more verbose and engages in dialogue, starting her journey in captivity and aiming to reach the citadel at Falloom.
• -
• 🌍 The game emphasizes vertical exploration with fast travel unlocked early, optional quests, and new areas encouraging thorough exploration.
• 🎨 Visuals maintain the classic Hollow Knight style with layered parallax effects and foreground motion; HD Rumble enhances interactions like swinging weapons.
• 🔊 Audio and soundtrack are improved over the original, offering a more emotive and dynamic experience.
• ⚔️ Combat and mechanics expand on the original with the silk mechanic, special moves like Silk Spear, and gradually ramping enemy difficulty.
• 💡 Overall impressions are positive: immersive world, smooth performance, engaging protagonist, and faithful yet enhanced gameplay experience.

Q & A

Did Hollow Knight: Silksong release as planned?

Yes, Hollow Knight: Silksong released as planned, though initial demand caused crashes on major platforms like Steam.

What options are available for HUD and camera settings in Silksong?

Players can choose small, large, or completely turn off the HUD. Camera shake can also be turned on or off.

Does Silksong support achievements and what are some notable ones?

Yes, Silksong includes 50 achievements, many of which are secret. Notable achievements include completing the game in under 5 hours.

How does Hornet’s character and story differ from the original Hollow Knight?

Hornet is more verbose and engages in more dialogue, creating a more developed character. The story begins with her in captivity and centers on her journey through Falloom to reach the citadel.

What are the main gameplay mechanics in Silksong?

Mechanics include resting at benches for respawn, exploring vertically, collecting currency (rosary beads), using maps and pins, completing optional mini-quests, unlocking fast travel early, and using silk-based special moves for progression.

How does performance compare between Switch 1 and Switch 2?

Both consoles run Silksong flawlessly in docked and handheld modes. Switch 2 supports 4K resolution, while Switch 1 runs at 1080p, offering slightly crisper visuals on Switch 2. There is also a 120Hz mode available.

Are there any known bugs in Silksong on Switch?

Yes, a minor HUD bug exists: if the HUD is turned off and then on again via the menus, it may not become visible until adjusted again.

How is the audio and soundtrack in Silksong?

The audio is highly praised, with improved sound quality and emotive music that dynamically adapts to new areas, surpassing expectations set by the original Hollow Knight.

What improvements or new features does Silksong have over Hollow Knight?

Silksong adds vertical exploration, more inhabited environments, optional mini-quests, fast travel early in the game, silk-based combat mechanics, and a more expressive protagonist.

What should players expect regarding game difficulty and enemy progression?

Enemies start easy, giving a false sense of security, but difficulty ramps up quickly. The game maintains the challenging Metroidvania-style progression of Hollow Knight.

Can players fully enjoy Silksong without having played the original Hollow Knight?

Yes, although familiarity with Hollow Knight may enhance the experience, new players can enjoy Silksong independently, and the reviewer encourages playing Hollow Knight if possible.

What is the reviewer’s overall impression of Silksong so far?

The reviewer finds Silksong performs flawlessly, has excellent visuals and audio, and effectively builds on the original game's mechanics and atmosphere. It meets expectations while offering new character depth and gameplay enhancements.