Technology

Chinese Players Voice Concerns Over Hollow Knight: Silksong's Translation Flaws

2025-09-08

Author: Nur

Hollow Knight: Silksong has generated buzz with its impressive 'Mostly Positive' Steam review score and a user count that rivals many AAA titles. However, players in China are expressing their dissatisfaction with the highly-anticipated sequel, particularly concerning translation issues.

While reviews for other languages like English, French, and German are thriving with 'Very Positive' to 'Overwhelmingly Positive' ratings, the simplified Chinese translation has drastically reduced the score to 'Mostly Negative.' This backlash comes after a wave of critiques from Chinese gamers regarding the game's localization.

In a response to the uproar, Team Cherry's Matthew Griffin acknowledged the concerns via social media, stating: "To our Chinese speaking fans: We appreciate you letting us know about quality issues with the current translation. We'll be working to improve it in the coming weeks. Thanks for your feedback and support."

What's causing the uproar? Players describe the translation as reminiscent of a Wuxia novel, heavily laden with archaic and convoluted phrasing that detracts from the game’s intended tone. One frustrated gamer noted, "I need to switch to English to make sense of the translation!" Another user lamented, "The translation is filled with unintelligible word salad, making gameplay confusing."

Though specific dates for patches haven't been provided, the developers are aware and on it, promising improvements soon. Early impressions of gameplay are still positive, with IGN praising the sequel as a worthy successor that respects the original while also innovating.

Yet, amidst high expectations, a debate has emerged over the game's difficulty. Some players feel it's too punishing and have begun recommending mods to assist those who've found themselves stuck. Fortunately, there are resources to help, including guides for unlocking maps and defeating tough bosses like the Bell Beast.

Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story and more tips on mastering Hollow Knight: Silksong!