After 142 hours in Pharloom — most of which I spent either internally screaming, externally screaming, or humming Christopher Larkin’s score like a deranged choirboy lol, I can confidently declare that Hollow Knight: Silksong is not merely a sequel; it is a metamorphosis and evolution of the predecessor in almost every form, where you run around with the combat philosophy of an irate sewing machine. Nonetheless after achieving all the trophies in Hollow Knight Silksong, I cannot express how much I have grown to adore this metroidvania masterpiece!

One thing to mention is that silksong does not ease you in. It catapults you face-first into a dying kingdom where hope is scarce, hospitality is nonexistent, and every insect you meet seems to have just finished reading a manifesto titled “How to Ruin Hornet’s Day,” lol. From the moment Hornet tumbles into Pharloom’s depths, the tone is set: this is a land where nothing is given freely, healing requires precision and courage, and gravity is more of a vendetta than a natural force. Yet for all its cruelty, Pharloom has a tremulous beauty to it. I lost count of the times I stopped simply to admire the environments — snowy peaks that atop reside majestic creatures of genesis, coral caverns glowing with wondrous colour, and clockwork cities that hum with mechanical reverence. Team Cherry has somehow taken Hollow Knight’s already exquisite aesthetic and refined it into something even more immaculate. The result is a world that feels both ancient and newly breathing, ready to turn Hornet into a splatter on the wall at any given moment! XD

And then… there’s the difficulty. Ah yes. Let us speak of Sinners Road and Bilewater, that putrid lagoon probably personally commissioned by the Pale King himself just to spite us in the afterlife! XD I approached Silksong expecting challenge, seeing the terror and PTSD inflicted from the first game lol. What I did not expect was an area so vindictive that I briefly considered mailing Team Cherry a strongly worded letter wrapped around a tear-stained keyboard! Poison water that punishes you twice, benches placed approximately every 47 lightyears, and enemies who appear to be paid bonuses for ruining your momentum — Bilewater is a place where sanity goes to die lmao. Yet, paradoxically, it’s also one of the best examples of why Silksong’s difficulty works. I returned to places once seemed arduous with upgraded tools, a more seasoned mind, and the emotional resilience of someone who has fought their way through Steel Soul mode using nothing but a knitting needle and unhinged determination — and suddenly the labyrinth I had once cursed became navigable, almost rhythmic. Silksong challenges you, but never without offering the tools to overcome those challenges… eventually that is!

Combat, too, is a sublime evolution: Hornet dances with an almost acrobatic precision, unlike the Knight, who wielded their nail with all the earnest enthusiasm — and aim — of a pleasantly inebriated blacksmith! Hornet she is faster, sharper, and more expressive than her tiny Knight predecessor. Every encounter feels like a miniature opera of blades and instinct. Some bosses had me grinning like a maniac, others had me rethinking every life choice that led me to this point lol. Yet each victory felt monumental, earned, almost holy. And towering above everything like some benevolent deity whispering lullabies of despair is Christopher Larkin. His score is quintessentially Silksong: haunting, shimmering, melancholic, triumphant. There were moments — entire areas, in fact — where I lingered not to search for secrets, but simply to listen. Rare is the game where the music feels stitched into the soul of the world itself.

If I have criticisms, they are more whispers rather than wounds, and barely impact the game too dramatically. Some areas lack the intoxicating flow of others (I look at you again, Bilewater — forever may you haunt my dreams). XD The increased two-mask damage can feel a tad vindictive, as though Pharloom itself is offended by my existence. Every now and then a couple of trolls can be found, such as a trapped bench, but placing it in an Area filled with traps more shows the little torturing brainstorm Team Cherry had been intertwined with the lore as well. This includes paying for benches down in the underworks, since the pilgrims considered breathing a luxury down there! XD And a few late-game encounters perhaps cross the line from “challenging” to “the developers are laughing at me.” However bosses such as Skarrsinger Karmelita and Lost Lace although brutal eventually after practice emerge rythmic and actually enjoyable dare I say it lol, along with a multitude of other bosses that do an ineffable job at amalgamating a balance of lore and challenge!

Silksong is, without exaggeration, one of the most wondrous and ineffable experiences I have ever had with a game! A masterpiece that stings, sings, and ultimately soars to a peak beyond comprehension for the majority of individuals. Just be prepared to develop mild trust issues, a deep fear of poison water, and an uncontrollable urge to hum Larkin’s boss themes in the shower, as I inevitably succumed to all three lmao!

Horizon Forbidden West is nothing short of a masterpiece, offering a truly unforgettable gaming experience. Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, this sequel takes everything to new heights, immersing players in a world teeming with life, danger, and wonder.

From the moment I stepped into the vast, beautifully crafted landscapes, I was captivated not just by the technical brilliance but by the intricate world design. The machine animals, each with their own ecological role, create a living, breathing world that feels as real as it is mysterious. The people of this post-apocalyptic Earth, blissfully unaware of the civilizations that came before, add depth and intrigue to the story, making every interaction meaningful. Aloy, no longer just the savior of humanity, becomes a traveling vagabond, a wandering hero who learns the songs of the Utaru and the war chants of the Tenakth, a deadly warrior with a heart of pure selflessness.

The machines themselves are a highlight, transforming each encounter into a strategic puzzle. Whether you’re scanning enemies to find their elemental weaknesses or setting up traps to take down a towering Thunderjaw, the variety of combat styles keeps the gameplay fresh and exhilarating. The thrill of using elemental effects to slowly weaken a machine before unleashing a devastating attack is immensely satisfying, and the option to take a stealthier approach adds even more depth to the gameplay. Every battle feels unique, and the satisfaction of outsmarting a machine can’t be overstated.

Horizon Forbidden West excels in so many areas: the upgraded skill tree offers a wealth of options to tailor Aloy’s abilities to your playstyle, the vast array of weapons and armor enhances your combat strategy, and the new gear upgrading system makes you feel more powerful as you progress. The sheer number of new machines, each more inventive and deadly than the last, keeps you on your toes, while the story is nothing short of epic, with character development that tugs at your heartstrings and moments of triumph that make you cheer.

Exploration is a joy in this game, with the world of Forbidden West offering countless opportunities to get lost in its beauty. Whether you're climbing to the highest peaks, diving into underwater ruins, or soaring through the skies, every corner of this world is filled with secrets waiting to be discovered.

In conclusion, Horizon Forbidden West is a breathtaking achievement in gaming. The care and effort poured into every aspect of the game are evident, from the stunning visuals to the deep, engaging story. Whether you're looking to blow off steam by battling colossal machines or lose yourself in a richly detailed world for hundreds of hours, this game delivers on every front. I cannot recommend it highly enough—if you're even remotely interested in action-adventure games, this is one you absolutely must play. And if you ever feel like taking on a mechanical T-Rex with a bow and arrow isn’t for you, well, there's always knitting lmao! ;D