Hollow Knight Silksong Will Have No Day 1 Reviews: Is This Fine Or Worrying?

In 2017, Team Cherry introduced the game Hollow Knight, which promptly garnered a favorable image for its creators. This innovative take on the Metroidvania genre blended challenging Soulslike combat and punishments with a touch of balance. As such, when news of Hollow Knight: Silksong broke in 2019, fans were absolutely thrilled.

Unfortunately, for several years now, the highly anticipated game “Hollow Knight: Silksong” has been in a sort of development limbo. However, Team Cherry has finally announced that the game will be released on September 4, 2025. It’s worth noting that reviews for the game won’t be available at launch, which is somewhat unusual, but there may be valid reasons for this decision. Let’s delve into the potential advantages and disadvantages of this approach.

Everyone Starts On An Even Playing Field

Too Much Emphasis On Reviews

Team Cherry is assuring that everyone will approach the game with a fresh perspective, as no reviews will be released on the initial day of its launch. While reviewers are generally careful about spoilers, they might accidentally include subtle hints or references in their videos that could inadvertently reveal too much. For instance, recalling the debut of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty in 2001, there were cases where such unintentional spoilers may have caused an impact on the players’ experience.

In the event that Hollow Knight: Silksong were released during the golden age of video game reviews, creating a review without giving away significant plot details could prove challenging. The initial section featuring Hornet is relatively short, leading swiftly to another character taking center stage – a plot twist which, at the time, would have been considered a major spoiler. If the opening sequence of Hollow Knight: Silksong follows a similar structure, keeping the first portion with Hornet concise while introducing a new character soon after, it might be difficult not to inadvertently reveal the game’s main protagonist.

If It Is Bad, No One Wants To Waste Money

How Could It Be?

When news such as this emerges, it’s often presumed that the game in question, MindsEye, might not be well-made. Delays in reviews and distribution were experienced in June due to technical issues at launch. Regrettably, even months later, the game seems to persistently have problems, which is disheartening for players who purchased it and challenging for the developers who are working diligently to extinguish those problems.

Despite the fact that it took at least six years, if not more, to create Hollow Knight: Silksong, there’s a chance it might still launch in an unpolished state. However, this seems unlikely as such a move wouldn’t make much sense. Nevertheless, unexpected occurrences do happen. For instance, MindsEye was launched, and it could have been delayed. So, let’s hope Hollow Knight: Silksong doesn’t turn out to be a financial drain.

Let The Game Speak For Itself

Play The Game Without Spoilers

Some people prefer going into movies without any prior knowledge about them, hoping to avoid spoilers. They steer clear of conversations with friends about the film, skip interviews, articles, and trailers. However, this approach can sometimes lead to disappointment if the movie turns out to be disappointing or not in line with their genre preferences. On the other hand, it can also result in a unique, unexpected enjoyment that creates a magical cinema experience.

Abigail,” a recent horror film, initially appears to be about kidnapping a young girl, but later reveals she is a vampire instead. The trailers may spoil this twist as it forms the basis for the horror element of the movie. It’s possible that Team Cherry aims to create an enchanting, unique cinematic experience around “Hollow Knight: Silksong,” and they are careful to avoid reviews potentially influencing or tarnishing players’ initial experiences on the first day.

A Marketing Trick To Boost Sales

The Pre-Order Gamble

In simpler terms, companies often start taking pre-orders for a game ahead of time to estimate how much excitement there is for the title, even if the production isn’t completed yet. On platforms like Steam, adding a game to your wishlist can be beneficial for developers and publishers as well. It’s not wise for businesses to invest heavily in promoting a game that people aren’t interested in, but advertising could potentially win over audiences if done effectively. For instance, the advertisements for Final Fantasy 7 on PS1 emphasized the impressive CG cutscenes instead of the gameplay, making it appear more advanced than it actually was, which ultimately led to increased sales.

In essence, the highly anticipated sequel, “Hollow Knight: Silksong,” doesn’t require much promotion beyond its upcoming release, given the immense anticipation since 2019. However, it’s important to note that Team Cherry, a small studio, has been primarily supported by the income from the initial game and merchandise for years. They might urgently need additional funds, and a negative review could significantly impact sales, even if the game scored a respectable 7. To some, a 7 is practically a 0. While it may seem questionable for companies to employ such strategies, given that Team Cherry is a business aiming to generate revenue, it’s challenging to envision the game being subpar, making such tactics less objectionable.

What Does This All Boil Down To?

The Verdict

At the close of the day, game enthusiasts should understand that reviews aren’t decisive factors. They can be enjoyable to peruse as they offer insights into others’ thoughts. A balanced conversation with both well-considered positive and negative viewpoints is beneficial. However, a low score doesn’t necessarily diminish a game that someone cherishes and considers exceptional. For instance, take the game Deadly Premonition, which is infamously panned but adored by many due to its captivating storyline, despite its generally negative reviews.

It’s unlikely that “Hollow Knight: Silksong” will create as much controversy as “Deadly Premonition”, but if you’re budget-conscious and want to ensure the game is worth your investment, it’s wise to wait for reviews before purchasing. Despite the hype, staying away from social media for a week can help you access a wealth of opinions once they’ve been shared. So, waiting for review scores to be posted isn’t something to be discouraged; rather, it provides an opportunity to make an informed decision about the game.

2025-08-22 19:26