Hollow Knight: Silksong's Steam Reviews Plummet Due to Poor Translation

Hollow Knight: Silksong’s Translation Woes Impact Chinese Reception

Recent reports from Eurogamer have highlighted a significant disparity in the reception of Hollow Knight: Silksong among Chinese players compared to its global audience. With a mere 42% positive rating, categorized as “Mixed,” from nearly 20,000 Chinese language users, the game’s localization has faced severe criticism for its quality. Players have voiced their dissatisfaction, pointing out that the translation does not meet their expectations, leading to a stark contrast with the game’s overall global rating of 80% “Very Positive” from over 80,000 reviews.

Team Cherry Responds to Criticism

In light of the backlash, Team Cherry, the developers of Hollow Knight: Silksong, has acknowledged the localization issues and committed to improving the Simplified Chinese translation. Matthew Griffin, the game’s publishing and marketing lead, stated, “We appreciate you letting us know about quality issues with the current Simplified Chinese translation of Hollow Knight: Silksong. We’ll be working to improve the translation over the coming weeks.” This response indicates the team’s willingness to engage with their audience and rectify the shortcomings.

The Nature of the Translation Issues

The criticisms surrounding the Chinese localization have been multifaceted. Prominent figures in the translation field, such as Tiger Tang, who previously led the localization of the RPG Omori, have articulated that the problems are primarily creative rather than grammatical. Tang noted, “The current Silksong CN translation reads like a Wuxia novel instead of conveying the game’s tone.” This suggests that the translation may not only lack accuracy but also fail to capture the essence and style of the original game. Further complicating the situation, translation expert Loek van Kooten likened the Chinese dialogue to “a high-school drama club’s Elizabethan improv night,” emphasizing the disconnect between the game’s intended narrative and the execution in Chinese. The translation team for Silksong consisted of only two individuals, in stark contrast to the six translators who worked on the original Hollow Knight.

To our Chinese speaking fans:

We appreciate you letting us know about quality issues with the current Simplified Chinese translation of Hollow Knight: Silksong.

We'll be working to improve the translation over the coming weeks.

Thanks for your feedback and support.

— Matthew Griffin (@griffinmatta) September 5, 2025

Community Reactions and Speculation

Amidst the ongoing criticism, discussions within the gaming community have become increasingly animated. Some commenters have highlighted that the translation’s quirky and anachronistic qualities, coupled with instances of complete gibberish, further detract from the gameplay experience. The sentiment among players is clear: there is a pressing need for a more faithful and polished translation. Adding another layer to the unfolding narrative, one of the translators, Hertzz Liu, has reportedly been sharing details about Silksong on social media. This revelation sparked intrigue and led to speculation about the future of the game’s localization. A user on the r/Silksong subreddit, under the handle Infinite-Lake-7523, shared a screenshot suggesting that Liu anticipated a pre-Christmas release date while discussing plans for the localization.

The Future of Chinese Localization

The question remains: is it justifiable to label the negative reviews as a “review bomb” when players express genuine dissatisfaction over a flawed product? The current state of the Chinese translation of Hollow Knight: Silksong has drawn comparisons to the infamous misinterpretation of the Ecce Homo restoration, highlighting the extensive and structural issues present. Given the scope of these problems, it would be prudent for Team Cherry to consider an entirely new approach to the Chinese localization, albeit with the understanding that this may take time to implement.

Conclusion

As Team Cherry begins to address these localization challenges, it remains crucial for them to engage with their audience and ensure that the final product resonates with all players, regardless of language. Fans are hopeful that the upcoming improvements will restore the game’s reputation among its Chinese-speaking audience and enhance their overall experience.