Silksong's Simplified Chinese Reviews Skew Negative Due to Translation Issues

Steam users playing the upcoming Metroidvania Silksong in Simplified Chinese have given the game a largely negative rating, contrasting sharply with its overall positive reception. Players cite confusing and stylistically inconsistent translations that detract from the game’s tone, describing the text as a mix of ancient and modern Chinese. The development team has acknowledged the problem and indicated that they are working to improve the translation in the coming weeks. The situation highlights the impact of localization quality on player perception, especially for highly anticipated titles.

Negative Reception Among Simplified Chinese Players

While Silksong enjoys an overall "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam, the subset of reviews filtered for Simplified Chinese tells a different story. Those reviews trend toward "Mostly Negative," with many players expressing frustration over the translation quality. The feedback points to a mismatch between the game's tone and the language used, describing the text as a jarring blend of ancient and modern Chinese styles.

Specific Translation Concerns

Players have highlighted that the translated dialogue and UI elements often read like a literary genre focused on martial arts rather than reflecting the intended narrative voice. This stylistic clash makes it difficult for players to fully engage with the game's story and mechanics, leading to a perception that the localization feels out of place.

Community Reaction and Comparison to Previous Title

The contrast between Silksong’s reception and that of its predecessor, Hollow Knight, is notable. The earlier game maintains overwhelmingly positive reviews even among Simplified Chinese speakers. One factor appears to be the size of the localization teams: Silksong’s Chinese version was handled by a small team, whereas the original benefited from a larger group of translators.

Developer Acknowledgement and Planned Improvements

Team Cherry, the studio behind Silksong, has publicly acknowledged the translation issues. Representatives have stated that they are aware of the quality concerns and are working to address them over the next few weeks. This commitment suggests that the negative sentiment may be mitigated once the updated localization is released.

Implications for Localization in Gaming

The situation underscores how critical accurate and tone‑appropriate translation is for player satisfaction, especially for titles with a dedicated fan base and high expectations. Even a game that receives strong overall praise can suffer in specific language markets if localization falls short.