The sequel to Hollow Knight, Silksong, boasts a significantly higher level of difficulty designed to enhance the player’s experience. In a recent discussion, Team Cherry co-directors, Ari Gibson and William Pellen, shared insights into the development of the game. They emphasized that the protagonist, Hornet, is inherently “faster and more skillful than the Knight”, which prompted a redesign of enemy behaviors to match this increased proficiency.

“Hornet is inherently faster and more skillful than the Knight—so even the base level enemy had to be more complicated, more intelligent,” said Gibson. Translation: Hornet is more agile and capable than the previous protagonist, necessitating more strategically designed foes.

They acknowledged that while some parts of the game may frustrate players, it ultimately encourages exploration and adaptive strategies without trapping them in dead ends. The pair further noted the lower-tier enemies mirror the skill set of original bosses, promoting a consistent challenge throughout the gameplay.

This new approach to difficulty aims not only to test the players’ skills but also to encourage exploration as a means to overcome obstacles, hinting at a multidimensional gameplay strategy in Silksong.

This feedback came from a broader context in which players have shown varied reactions to the game’s challenge, with Team Cherry remaining committed to enhancing the experience rather than minimizing difficulty.