The Epic Battle Against 2025's Most Difficult Video Game: A Newfound Appreciation for Suffering
I'm still trying to comprehend how I managed to play Hollow Knight: Silksong, a notoriously challenging game that has been my nemesis for four months and 40 hours. My quest began in earnest after a debilitating bout of brachial neuritis left me unable to type or engage with the world as I knew it. The diagnosis was grim – inflammation of the nerve path that travels from the base of your neck down to your hand – but the prognosis was hopeful, with treatment promising relief within one to three years.
As I struggled through the game's early stages, a world of eerie beauty and haunting landscapes unfolded before me. Silksong is an atmospheric and captivating experience that whisks players away to a corrupted underground kingdom, where a masked spider named Hornet embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind her own troubled past.
My progress has been agonizingly slow – I've had to play for just 20-40 minutes at a time due to my chronic pain. Every victory feels like a hollow triumph, as the next challenge looms over me like a specter of doom. The game's merciless difficulty has forced me to confront the darkest corners of my own resilience and determination.
And yet, amidst this trial by fire, I've discovered something profound – that suffering doesn't have to be a narrative of perseverance or redemption. Silksong shows us that it can simply be there, a constant presence in our lives that we must learn to navigate with care and compassion. Acknowledging pain is the first step towards overcoming it, not by ignoring it or trying to will it away, but by learning to live with it.
As I near the game's end, I'm struck by the realization that this journey has been about more than just completing a difficult video game. It's about cultivating a deeper understanding of myself and my place in the world. Silksong has taught me that sometimes, the hardest battles are those we fight within ourselves – against our own fears, doubts, and limitations.
The game's creators have woven a masterful narrative that explores the intersection of pain, suffering, and resilience. They've shown us that even in the darkest moments, there is always a way forward – a way to find meaning, hope, and purpose in the midst of chaos.
And so, as I take my final steps into the heart of Pharloom, I'm left with a sense of awe and gratitude for this incredible journey. Silksong may be a difficult game, but it's also been a catalyst for growth – a reminder that even in our darkest hours, we have the power to choose how we respond to pain and suffering.
I'm still trying to comprehend how I managed to play Hollow Knight: Silksong, a notoriously challenging game that has been my nemesis for four months and 40 hours. My quest began in earnest after a debilitating bout of brachial neuritis left me unable to type or engage with the world as I knew it. The diagnosis was grim – inflammation of the nerve path that travels from the base of your neck down to your hand – but the prognosis was hopeful, with treatment promising relief within one to three years.
As I struggled through the game's early stages, a world of eerie beauty and haunting landscapes unfolded before me. Silksong is an atmospheric and captivating experience that whisks players away to a corrupted underground kingdom, where a masked spider named Hornet embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind her own troubled past.
My progress has been agonizingly slow – I've had to play for just 20-40 minutes at a time due to my chronic pain. Every victory feels like a hollow triumph, as the next challenge looms over me like a specter of doom. The game's merciless difficulty has forced me to confront the darkest corners of my own resilience and determination.
And yet, amidst this trial by fire, I've discovered something profound – that suffering doesn't have to be a narrative of perseverance or redemption. Silksong shows us that it can simply be there, a constant presence in our lives that we must learn to navigate with care and compassion. Acknowledging pain is the first step towards overcoming it, not by ignoring it or trying to will it away, but by learning to live with it.
As I near the game's end, I'm struck by the realization that this journey has been about more than just completing a difficult video game. It's about cultivating a deeper understanding of myself and my place in the world. Silksong has taught me that sometimes, the hardest battles are those we fight within ourselves – against our own fears, doubts, and limitations.
The game's creators have woven a masterful narrative that explores the intersection of pain, suffering, and resilience. They've shown us that even in the darkest moments, there is always a way forward – a way to find meaning, hope, and purpose in the midst of chaos.
And so, as I take my final steps into the heart of Pharloom, I'm left with a sense of awe and gratitude for this incredible journey. Silksong may be a difficult game, but it's also been a catalyst for growth – a reminder that even in our darkest hours, we have the power to choose how we respond to pain and suffering.
, I mean, have you ever tried okonomiyaki? It's like a pancake, but not really, it's more like a savory cake thingy. Anyway, I was eating this delicious okonomiyaki at this tiny restaurant in Osaka and I started thinking about the similarities between the game Silksong and Japanese culture. Like, have you noticed how much pain and struggle are woven into Japanese art and storytelling? From ukiyo-e woodblock prints to modern anime and manga, it's like the Japanese are obsessed with exploring the human condition through suffering and hardship.
. Maybe something like... uh, what's that other game with the cute characters? You know, the one where you collect all these adorable creatures and fight against evil? Yeah, I should totally check that out!
. It's not easy to push through chronic pain, but at the same time, it's crazy how games can tap into your emotional state like that. The way Silksong explores the intersection of pain and resilience is pretty thought-provoking, especially for people who are going through similar experiences.
. Sometimes it's just about learning to live with it, and finding ways to navigate it with care and compassion. It's not always easy to talk about, but I think that's what makes this game so impactful.
. They can make you confront your fears and doubts head-on, and sometimes that's exactly what we need. So kudos to the devs at Hollow Knight for creating something so meaningful – it's definitely not just about beating the game 
.
. It's not always easy to look at your own struggles and think they're just a part of life 
. But what if our challenges are actually an opportunity to grow stronger 
? Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom (literally, like in the case of that brachial neuritis 
, it's about showing up to the fight even when it feels like giving up 
.
I totally get why this game is so tough - I've had my fair share of struggles too 
. But you know what's interesting? How it made you appreciate your own strength & resilience even more 
. And I love that you said it's a journey of self-discovery too - I think that's where the real growth happens 
.
! 40 hours is a long time to be stuck on one game, but it's clear Hollow Knight: Silksong has changed you 
. The way you've highlighted the importance of acknowledging pain and not just pushing through it is so relatable 
. I love how the game's creators have woven this narrative that's not just about survival, but about growth and self-discovery 
. I mean no offense, but that's just not realistic for most people. I'd be stuck at the start of the game for months, maybe even never completing it 
. The article does bring up some deep points about suffering and resilience tho 
. It's all well and good to acknowledge pain and try to live with it, but what's the point of making it sound like some kind of profound experience? Can't we just be happy that we're alive and kicking without having to wallow in our own misery? And another thing, why do people need to make such a big deal about struggling through a video game? It's just a game, for crying out loud! 
And can we talk about the themes they're tackling? It's like, pain isn't something you can just overcome or be "strong" against, it's a part of who you are and you gotta learn to live with it. 
I'm so inspired by this gamer's story 
! They took on Hollow Knight: Silksong despite being laid up with brachial neuritis and ended up learning a ton about themselves in the process 
. It's so true that acknowledging pain is the first step towards dealing with it 
