Hollow Knight: Silksong launched on September 4, 2025, smashing sales records and earning rave reviews—until a single detail overshadowed the celebration.
Within days, Chinese players began flooding Steam with negative reviews, not because of bugs or balance issues, but because the Simplified Chinese translation felt unplayable.
What should have been a triumphant global release turned into a cautionary tale about the power of localization.
This guide breaks down what went wrong, why it matters, and how Team Cherry plans to win back trust.
⚠️ 1. What Went Wrong with Silksong’s Chinese Translation
The problem went far beyond typos. Players described the text as confusing, pompous, and completely out of sync with Silksong’s signature melancholy.
-
Overly Archaic Language – Phrases read like Elizabethan drama, with “thou,” “shalt,” and “verily” popping up where plain Chinese should have been.
-
Quest Hints Lost in “Word Salad” – Critical objectives became indecipherable, forcing many to switch to the English build just to play.
-
Tone Mismatch – Instead of dark mystery, the translation felt like a Wuxia martial-arts epic, clashing with Hollow Knight’s atmosphere.
-
Understaffed Team – Only two translators were credited, compared to the six who worked on the first game—likely a key reason quality slipped.
📉 2. Backlash and Review Bombs
-
Steam Ratings Plummeted – Simplified Chinese reviews dropped to 38% positive out of nearly 35,000, pulling the game’s global score down to a “Mostly Positive” 76%.
-
Player Alienation – Many felt disrespected. One top review summed it up: “Imagine being Chinese and having to switch to English to understand your own language.”
-
Broader Complaints – While a few players mentioned economy and level design, localization became the lightning rod for wider frustration.
🔧 3. Team Cherry’s Response
Team Cherry moved fast:
-
Public Apology – On Sept. 5, publishing lead Matthew Griffin posted on X, thanking players for feedback and promising improvements.
-
Community Outreach – They invited ongoing input to pinpoint problem areas.
-
The Hard Road Ahead – Localization experts warn a simple patch won’t cut it; a near-total retranslation may be required, which could take months.
🌍 4. Why This Matters Beyond Silksong
This incident highlights lessons every developer should note:
-
Localization Is More Than Translation – It’s about cultural nuance, humor, and tone—capturing a game’s soul in another language.
-
China’s Market Is Huge – Roughly 35% of Steam users are Chinese; ignoring them carries real financial risk.
-
Trust Is Fragile – Quick, respectful communication can prevent a bad situation from becoming a lasting scar.
🔮 5. What Players Can Expect Next
-
Patience Required – A full retranslation could take weeks or months. In the meantime, players may rely on community guides or English text.
-
Potential Rebound – If the update lands, review scores could climb back toward “Overwhelmingly Positive.”
-
Industry Ripple Effect – Other studios may increase localization budgets to avoid a similar PR storm.
💎 Conclusion: A Setback, Not a Deathblow
Hollow Knight: Silksong remains a masterpiece of art and gameplay.
But its Chinese localization misstep proves that games are cultural products that demand expert translation.
Team Cherry’s quick acknowledgment is a promising start; how they follow through will determine whether this becomes a short-term hiccup or a lasting cautionary tale.
Have you played the Chinese version? Share your experience in the comments or join the discussion on our community channels.
Comments
Post a Comment