Hollow Knight: Silksong Faces Heavy Criticism Over Simplified Chinese Translation

Hollow Knight: Silksong, one of the most highly anticipated indie titles of 2025, officially launched on Friday, September 6. While the release generated huge excitement worldwide, feedback from Chinese players on Steam has been mixed due to translation quality concerns.

Translation Issues Spark Controversy

Many gamers in China have voiced disappointment with the Simplified Chinese translation, describing it as a confusing mix of classical and modern Chinese. This inconsistency has made it difficult for players to follow the game’s narrative. Some even criticized it as being “worse than AI translation.”

Other Player Concerns

Beyond translation complaints, Chinese players also highlighted:

• High difficulty level, which may frustrate casual players
• The lack of a pre-order option, leaving some disappointed

Despite these issues, the game continues to attract strong attention globally, reinforcing the massive fanbase built by the original Hollow Knight.

Developer Response

The developers quickly addressed the criticism, acknowledging the translation problems and assuring fans that updates will be rolled out in the coming weeks. They also expressed gratitude for community feedback, emphasizing their commitment to delivering a better experience for Chinese-speaking players.

Looking Ahead

While the launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong has been met with both excitement and criticism, improvements to localization are already underway. Fans in China remain hopeful that the upcoming updates will resolve translation concerns and allow them to fully enjoy the game’s rich storytelling and challenging gameplay.