Let me be straight with you – 2026 has been an absolutely stacked year for gaming. We’ve seen massive AAA titles, emotional indie darlings, and everything in between. But when I sit down and really think about which game has stuck with me, which one has challenged me in ways I never expected, and which one represents the absolute pinnacle of game design this year, there’s only one answer: Hollow Knight Silksong.
I’ve spent countless hours exploring the haunted kingdom of Pharloom, dying (a lot), learning, and ultimately falling in love with what Team Cherry has created. This isn’t just another indie game that punches above its weight – Hollow Knight Silksong beats every GOTY contender by a sharp sting, and I’m here to tell you exactly why it deserves that Game of the Year trophy more than any other title released this year.
For those who might have been living under a rock (or just waiting for the perfect moment to jump in), Hollow Knight: Silksong is the long-awaited sequel to the 2017 masterpiece Hollow Knight. Developed by the tiny Australian studio Team Cherry – we’re talking just three people here – this Metroidvania puts you in control of Hornet, the princess-protector from the first game, as she navigates the haunted kingdom of Pharloom.
Unlike its predecessor, which took place in the ruined kingdom of Hallownest, Silksong drops us into Pharloom – a kingdom that’s very much alive, albeit haunted by something called the “Haunting.” The game builds upon everything that made Hollow Knight great while introducing new mechanics, a faster pace, and a world that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.
What makes Silksong stand out immediately is how it evolves the formula. Hornet is more acrobatic than the Knight, with diagonal strikes, aerial dives, and a movement system that feels like dancing through danger. The combat is faster, the platforming more precise, and the world denser with secrets waiting to be uncovered.
I’ll admit it – I was skeptical at first. Could Team Cherry really capture lightning in a bottle twice? Could they improve upon what many consider a near-perfect game? The answer, I’m thrilled to report, is a resounding yes.
What I love most about Silksong is how it respects my intelligence as a player. Unlike so many modern games that hold your hand with endless tutorials and waypoint markers, Silksong throws you into its world and says, “Figure it out.” And you know what? That’s incredibly refreshing.
I remember my first few hours with the game, constantly dying to basic enemies, struggling with the timing of Hornet’s diagonal strikes, and feeling completely overwhelmed. But then something clicked. I started learning the enemy patterns, understanding the rhythm of combat, and suddenly I wasn’t just surviving – I was thriving. That moment of realization, when everything clicks into place, is something few games manage to deliver as effectively as Silksong.
The world of Pharloom is another reason I keep coming back. Unlike the desolate Hallownest, Pharloom feels alive with NPCs, side quests, and towns that pulse with activity. I love stumbling upon a new settlement, talking to its inhabitants, and uncovering their stories. It gives the world a depth that goes beyond just being a backdrop for platforming challenges.
Let’s break down exactly why Silksong stands head and shoulders above other 2026 GOTY contenders. I’ve put together a comparison to show you exactly what I mean:
| Game | Strengths | Weaknesses | Why Silksong Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition 33 | Emotional storytelling, beautiful graphics | Predictable gameplay, hand-holding | Silksong trusts players more |
| Death Stranding 2 | Stunning visuals, unique concepts | Pacing issues, convoluted story | More focused, cohesive experience |
| Hades 2 | Great combat, replayability | Less innovative than original | More meaningful progression |
| Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 | Realistic world, deep RPG systems | Technical issues, slow start | Polished from minute one |
| Silksong | Perfect difficulty curve, innovative mechanics, deep world | High difficulty barrier | N/A – It’s the complete package |
What really sets Silksong apart is how it balances challenge with accessibility. Unlike Expedition 33, which often feels like it’s playing itself, or Death Stranding 2, which gets bogged down in its own complexity, Silksong presents challenges that feel fair and rewarding. Every death teaches you something, every victory feels earned, and every new area discovered fills you with genuine excitement.
One of the reasons Silksong deserves GOTY is how it revolutionizes the Metroidvania genre. Let me break down some of the game-changing mechanics:
In Hollow Knight, you had Soul – a resource you built up by attacking enemies and could use for healing or spells. Silksong takes this concept and elevates it with the Silk system. Now, attacking fills your Silk spool, and when it’s full, you can use Bind to heal three health points at once (compared to the original’s one-point heal).
But here’s the brilliant part: you can heal while moving, even in mid-air! This completely changes the combat calculus, making fights faster and more dynamic. I’ve found myself healing while dodging attacks, creating these incredible moments where I’m dancing around bosses while recovering health. It’s a system that rewards skill and timing rather than just patience.
Gone are the Charms from Hollow Knight. In their place, we have Crests – major gameplay modifiers that fundamentally change how Hornet plays. Each Crest comes with different tool slots and alters Hornet’s basic moveset. The Wanderer Crest makes you faster but with shorter range, while the Beast Crest gives you wider, claw-like attacks.
Tools are divided into three categories:
This system creates incredible build diversity. I’ve experimented with trap-focused builds, speed-running setups, and tank configurations that would have been impossible in the original game. The level of customization here puts many full-fledged RPGs to shame.
One of my few complaints about Hollow Knight was how aimless exploration could sometimes feel. Silksong fixes this with a structured quest system called “Wishes.” Found on bulletin boards in towns or given by NPCs, these quests fall into three categories:
This system gives purpose to exploration without making it feel like a checklist. I’ve discovered some of the game’s best areas while following a seemingly simple quest, and the satisfaction of completing these challenges is immense.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Silksong is hard. Like, really hard. But unlike many difficult games that rely on cheap tactics or artificial difficulty, Silksong’s challenge comes from a place of respect for the player.
I’ve seen countless discussions online about whether Silksong is “too hard” for GOTY consideration. To that, I say: nonsense. The difficulty isn’t a barrier – it’s the point. Every boss fight feels like a duel, every platforming section like a puzzle to be solved. When you finally beat that boss that’s been haunting you for hours, the sense of accomplishment is unparalleled.
What makes Silksong’s difficulty special is how it teaches you. The game doesn’t just throw hard enemies at you and say “good luck.” Instead, it gradually introduces mechanics, lets you practice against easier foes, and then tests your knowledge with progressively harder challenges. By the time you reach the late-game bosses, you’ve internalized the game’s systems to the point where victory feels inevitable, not impossible.
Compare this to other difficult games this year, which often rely on bloated health bars or one-hit kills to create artificial challenge. Silksong’s difficulty comes from mastery, not memorization – and that’s why it works so beautifully.
While other GOTY contenders this year have focused on graphical fidelity or scale, Silksong creates a world that feels alive in ways that matter. Pharloom isn’t just a backdrop for action – it’s a character in its own right.
What impresses me most is how the world tells its story. Unlike Expedition 33, which relies on lengthy cutscenes and exposition dumps, Silksong weaves its narrative through the environment itself. The architecture tells of a kingdom’s rise and fall, the enemy designs hint at the nature of the Haunting, and the placement of secrets rewards players who pay attention to the world around them.
I’ve spent hours just exploring Pharloom, not because I had to, but because I wanted to. Every corner holds a new secret, every area a unique visual identity, and every NPC a story to tell. This is world-building at its finest – subtle, respectful of the player’s intelligence, and utterly captivating.
No discussion of Silksong would be complete without mentioning Christopher Larkin’s incredible soundtrack. While other GOTY contenders this year have featured bombastic orchestral scores or licensed music, Silksong’s soundtrack is something special.
Larkin, who also composed the original Hollow Knight’s music, has outdone himself here. The soundtrack perfectly captures the game’s atmosphere – haunting melodies for exploration, intense tracks for boss battles, and subtle themes that tie everything together. What I love most is how the music enhances rather than overwhelms the experience. It’s always there, setting the mood, but never distracting from the gameplay.
Compare this to other nominees this year, which often use music as emotional manipulation rather than enhancement. Silksong’s soundtrack respects the player’s experience, complementing the action without dictating how you should feel. It’s a masterclass in video game music composition.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate what Team Cherry has accomplished here. We’re talking about a three-person development team creating a game that stands toe-to-toe with titles backed by hundreds of developers and budgets in the hundreds of millions.
The technical polish in Silksong is astounding. I’ve played it on multiple platforms, and it runs flawlessly on each. The animation is smooth, the loading times minimal, and the performance consistent even in the most chaotic moments. This level of optimization, especially from such a small team, is nothing short of miraculous.
Other GOTY contenders this year have launched with technical issues, day-one patches, and performance problems. Silksong, by contrast, arrived fully formed and polished – a testament to Team Cherry’s dedication to quality over quantity.
What really cements Silksong’s GOTY credentials for me is its impact on the gaming community. Since its release, we’ve seen:
This level of community engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when a game resonates so deeply that players can’t help but share their experiences. Silksong has sparked conversations about game design, difficulty, and the future of the Metroidvania genre in a way few games this year have managed.
Since I want you to experience the same joy I’ve found in Silksong, here are some pro tips I’ve picked up during my time with the game:
Q: Is Silksong harder than Hollow Knight? A: Yes, but in a different way. Silksong is faster and more aggressive, but the difficulty feels fairer. If you could handle Hollow Knight, you can handle Silksong with some patience.
Q: Do I need to play Hollow Knight first? A: While Silksong is a sequel, it tells a standalone story. You’ll appreciate some references more if you’ve played the first game, but it’s not required.
Q: How long is Silksong? A: A main story run takes about 20-25 hours, but completionists can easily spend 60+ hours uncovering every secret.
Q: Which platform should I play on? A: All versions are excellent, but I personally recommend PC for the precision of mouse and keyboard controls, though the controller implementation is fantastic too.
Q: Will there be DLC or updates? A: Team Cherry hasn’t announced anything yet, but given their support for Hollow Knight, I’d be surprised if we don’t see additional content down the line.
After spending hundreds of hours with this year’s GOTY contenders, I keep coming back to Hollow Knight: Silksong. It’s not just a great game – it’s a important game. It proves that small teams can compete with industry giants, that challenging games can be accessible, and that the Metroidvania genre still has room for innovation.
What makes Silksong special isn’t any one feature, but how everything comes together. The combat is tight, the world is rich, the story is compelling, and the challenge is fair. It respects your time, your intelligence, and your skill as a player.
Other games this year have been good, even great. But Silksong is something more. It’s a reminder of why we fell in love with gaming in the first place – the joy of discovery, the satisfaction of overcoming challenges, and the magic of exploring worlds that feel truly alive.
So when the Game Awards roll around and they announce the GOTY winner, I know who I’ll be rooting for. Hollow Knight: Silksong doesn’t just deserve to win – it needs to win. Not just for what it is, but for what it represents: the idea that passion, creativity, and respect for players will always triumph over big budgets and marketing hype.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear a boss calling my name. Time to get good.
