Artwork And Soundtrack: Both
Let’s get this out of the way. Both games are ridiculously pretty. Hollow Knight’s Hallownest is this melancholic, hand-drawn dreamscape that somehow makes a dying kingdom feel cozy and terrifying at the same time. Silksong’s Pharloom flips that energy upward, with silk-covered verticality, brighter highlights, and Hornet’s red cloak slicing through it all.
The animations match the art. Every critter, every massive beast, every little particle feels alive. And the soundtracks? I have lost count of how many times a boss wiped the floor with me while I sat there thinking, 'Well, at least this music is incredible.' In terms of presentation, neither game loses. I’m calling this category a tie.
Content: Hollow Knight
Silksong has a lot going on. It’s a huge climb through Pharloom, and the map does fill in nicely as you progress. But even after I unlocked every area in Hollow Knight, I felt small. The map screen alone was overwhelming, with all those twisting routes, hidden nooks, and mini-dungeons I hadn’t fully cleared.
Then there’s the post-game. I finished the main adventure and thought I was done. I was not done. The free DLCs piled on: Grimm Troupe gave me two brutal new boss fights, Godmaster turned the game into a gauntlet of boss rushes, and Lifeblood and Hidden Dreams added new areas and dream-like opponents. Silksong might get that kind of support later, but right now, Hollow Knight simply has more meat on the bone.
Difficulty: Silksong
Look, Hollow Knight is hard. I know. But Silksong is a different kind of monster, and I say that with love and a stress ball nearby.
The biggest adjustment is Hornet herself. Team Cherry made sure you are not just playing a reskinned Knight. Her hitbox, movement speed, jump, attack range, healing, and skills all feel different. I had to unlearn years of Knight muscle memory, and that alone was a challenge.
Then the enemies got involved. Many of Silksong’s enemies retreat while attacking, which drags you into danger. Others have awkward movement patterns and can deflect Hornet’s blows. The platforming sections? Let me just say the red flowers caused me to question whether I had ever played a platformer before. And the bosses? Fast, aggressive, and way too fond of area-of-effect attacks that punish you for feeling confident.
Hollow Knight is a tough cookie, but biting into Silksong will guarantee you an appointment with the dentist.
Controls: Hollow Knight
On a technical level, both games are sharp. But feel matters, especially in a soulslike, and Hollow Knight still takes this one for me.
The Knight moves like a precise little machine. Every button press gives an immediate response. His short, precise movements are perfect for split-second decisions. When a new encounter pushes me between fight and flight, the Knight accommodates instantly.
That precision is balanced by your strongest attacks, which force you to slow down and pick the right moment. It’s a rhythm I grew to love. Silksong’s controls are smooth and suit Hornet’s more organic movement, but the Knight’s almost robotic responsiveness remains my preferred way to play.
Story: Silksong
I’ll be honest: after the credits rolled in Hollow Knight, I wasn’t entirely sure what had happened. That vagueness is part of the charm, but Silksong pulled me in harder.
Hornet is the main reason. I wasn’t playing a nameless, voiceless husk anymore. I was a warrior with personality, history, a code of honor, and a clear goal. That alone makes the story feel fuller.
Other characters also have more to say, which enriches Pharloom. This isn’t Hallownest’s dying world; it’s a world under siege by a mysterious force, and Hornet is tied directly to it. The Wishes system—requests from Pharloom’s denizens—adds another layer, revealing bits of lore and clues with every favor.
Hollow Knight tells a compelling story through atmosphere and context, but Silksong’s more direct narrative won me over.
The Winner: A Draw
So, is Silksong better than Hollow Knight? After all that, I honestly can’t pick one. They balance each other out.
Category
Winner
Artwork & Soundtrack
Both
Content
Hollow Knight
Difficulty
Silksong
Controls
Hollow Knight
Story
Silksong
Both games are worth playing, and because they’re only loosely connected, you can play them in whichever order you like. They’re both gorgeous, engaging, and satisfying in their own ways. For now, it’s a draw. But if Silksong follows Hollow Knight’s path and gets strong DLC support, I could easily see it overtaking its predecessor.
Since both titles offer dozens of hours of unforgettable gameplay, the practical question often shifts to cost—especially if you plan to explore both Hallownest and Pharloom. Retailers run frequent sales, and prices vary widely across platforms, so a little comparison can go a long way. Before you commit, you can check game prices at DealNest to make sure you're getting the strongest deal for your next adventure.