> Silksong as a game should not exist. It is so brutally difficult that it stretches the very definition of the word "game". Games are supposed to be fun [...]

I haven't played Silksong yet and I know difficulty is rather subjective, but is it really that difficult compared to the realm of punishing platformers like NES Ninja Gaiden, Cuphead, Spelunky 2, the dark world portions of Super Meat Boy, etc?

I played the first Hollow Knight and didn't find it particularly hard. (not easy, but definitely not Dark Souls level punishing).

Silksong starts very difficult compared to Hollow Knight, largely because there are many early foes that will deal 2 masks of damage. Those sorts of big attacks were generally reserved for mid to late bosses in Hollow Knight, and it caught even skilled players off guard. Hornet has a lot of mobility though, and a much easier time dodging out of the way, so once you adapt to her playstyle (be patient, dodge, and punish only when you know it's safe) the difficulty settles down and the game feels pretty fair.

As usual, you're gaining all sorts of tools and abilities along the way, and a few areas you can technically access early are best saved for later, when you have better gear. Some players aren't super thrilled with arena challenges, which this game has more of: suddenly 3-4 enemies in a small room all at once. I enjoy the meta challenge though: which tools can thin the crowd? Which minions should I focus to make the rest of the group manageable? If I can avoid taking damage, I can cast spells to thin the crowd much more effectively, etc etc.

I found both HK and Silksong roughly similar to Dark Souls in much the same way.

Above all, all three games demand and reward precision and timing, and to some extent figuring out enemy movement and attack patterns. None of the games demand much in terms of speed or reaction time.

In many ways it's much more forgiving than your traditional "hard" platformers.

I find Silksong to be easier than at least Cuphead and Super Meat Boy, but I could totally see how one who isn't experienced with platformers may find it frustratingly challenging.

I think my hardest gaming achievements have been Pantheon of Hallownest, Malenia in Elden Ring, and 106% Super Meat Boy. Silksong is nowhere near as hard as any of those… but I think I’m about 2/3 of the way through, so who knows what’s in store for the true endgame.

Have yet to run into a truly brutal boss like the last few Pantheon participants in HK.

Silksong is infinitely more forgiving then Spelunky 2. The game just doesn't stop you from going into the harder areas of the map early in your playthrough.