Why Chinese Players Are Reacting Negatively to Silksong Reviews: The Impact of Confusing Translations

For many players of Hollow Knight: Silksong, the combat can be tough, and boss fights are particularly demanding. But for those playing in Simplified Chinese, an added frustration stems from the poor translations affecting the game experience. On its Steam store page, Silksong holds a “Mostly Positive” rating overall. When filtered for Simplified Chinese reviews, however, it drops to a “Mostly Negative.”

Players have raised significant concerns about how hard the game is and whether the rewards justify the effort. Yet, translation problems are a common complaint. Many reviewers describe the translations as a bizarre blend of old and contemporary Chinese. For instance, Tiger Tang, who worked on the Simplified Chinese version of the indie RPG OMORI, noted that the translation feels more like a Wuxia novel, which is a genre featuring martial arts and set in ancient China. This indicates a disconnect between the game’s casual tone and the literal translations.

Fortunately, the team behind Silksong is aware of these issues. Matthew Griffin, who is responsible for marketing and publishing, recently commented on social media that they recognize the “quality issues with the current Simplified Chinese translation.” He assured players that improvements are underway and will be released soon.

Interestingly, the original Hollow Knight received overwhelmingly positive feedback, even from Simplified Chinese reviews. This may highlight the challenges the team faced during Silksong’s localization. While Hollow Knight had a dedicated team of six for its Chinese translation, Silksong only had two.

The contrast in reception between the two titles reveals how crucial localization is in gaming. A well-executed translation resonates with players and enhances their experience. Poor translations can lead to misunderstandings and a feeling of alienation in the game world.

In an age where global gaming communities are more connected than ever, the importance of precise and culturally sensitive translations cannot be overstated. As the gaming industry grows, future titles need to prioritize these aspects to foster a more inclusive environment for players worldwide.

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Simplified Chinese, translation, Hollow Knight, Silksong, translations, Matthew Griffin