As I sit here in 2026, my Nintendo Switch 2 docked beside me, the memory of Hollow Knight: Silksong is a persistent, beautiful ache. I remember diving in headfirst during a long car journey, the world of Pharloom unfolding on the screen like a living, melancholic painting. Every corner was drenched in intrigue, every character a cryptic poem waiting to be read. The music? Oh man, it was a whole mood—unsettling yet utterly alluring, the perfect soundtrack to a land of gorgeous decay. For those first few hours, I was totally and completely transfixed. I was in. Hook, line, and sinker.

But then, reality hit. And by reality, I mean a giant, spike-covered bug that sent me back to the last bench more times than I care to admit. That's the thing about Silksong—it's a truly fantastic experience, a critical darling for a reason, but man, does it demand your soul. Whenever I had to stop my casual, awe-filled roaming and actually pick up Hornet's needle to fight, I was brutally reminded that this might not be the game for someone like me. Someone who loves the vibe but whose skills (and schedule) are, let's say, not exactly pro gamer level. Over the last holiday break, I swore I'd give it another shot. But part of me wonders if admiring this masterpiece from a distance, through fan art and killer soundtrack playlists, is my destined path.

I gotta hand it to Team Cherry, though—their dedication to the art of the challenge is next level. They made some small tweaks after launch, but they've stayed steadfast. Difficulty isn't a bug; it's a feature. It's the core of the experience. I remember reading a quote from them at an ACMI exhibition: "Silksong has some moments of steep difficulty – but part of allowing a higher level of freedom within the world means that you have choices all the time about where you’re going and what you’re doing." And they're right! In theory, it's like Elden Ring (a game I've actually conquered, thank you very much!). You can explore, grind for resources, and just throw yourself at a boss until you 'git gud.'

But here's the kicker: Silksong feels like it requires a different kind of dedication. It's less about open-world freedom and more about precise, patient skill. The kind of skill that needs time—a commodity that's been in seriously short supply for me. The hype train for this game was unreal, a mythical beast of anticipation. When it finally dropped after that surprise Gamescom reveal, the world devoured it. I was part of that feast, for a moment. But then I hit the wall. Not a metaphorical one, but a literal, spiky, enemy-filled corridor that became my personal nightmare. Life and work demanded my attention, and Silksong, in all its unforgiving glory, got shelved.

It's funny, in 2026, you don't even need to play a game to be surrounded by it. My social media feeds are a perpetual Silksong celebration. A second after I liked a fanart post, my algorithm was all in. My feed is constantly serving up:

• Cute comics of Hornet and her "gay bug friends" (the fandom's term, not mine! 😄)

• Stunning pieces of fanart that reimagine Pharloom

• Those banger music tracks I listen to while working

Silksong has graduated beyond being just a game; it's a cultural touchstone. Its fandom keeps it alive and thriving. And I love being a part of that community... but it also kinda bums me out.

I don't want to just be the guy looking in through the window, you know? I want to be inside, warming my hands by the fire, knowing the full context behind the characters I've grown to love from afar. I want to earn my place in that world. Maybe I'm overthinking it. Maybe I should just cut myself some slack for not having the time or monk-like patience these games demand. Or maybe—just maybe—the next holiday break will be the one. The one where it all clicks. I'll finally find the rhythm, the flow, and see this journey through to its end.

Until then, my relationship with Hollow Knight: Silksong remains complicated. A love-hate affair for the ages. I'm in awe of its beauty, humbled by its challenge, and a permanent resident of its vibrant, creative fandom. It's a game that asks for everything you have, and part of me respects it too much to give anything less. So the needle waits, and so do I, hoping that one day I'll be good enough, patient enough, to truly call myself a citizen of Pharloom. Wish me luck, folks. I'm gonna need it. 🤞