It's hard to put into words how much this game means to me and how often I find myself coming back to it despite usually being a one and done gamer. This game is a masterclass in world building and an excellent example of how simple mechanics can be so deep and meaningful. The story is hard to decipher at times but is so much more interesting than it has any right to be considering it's about a kingdom of bug people. The music compliments the eerie atmosphere perfectly and makes even the easiest boss battles feel climactic.

I recently played a handful of metroidvanias to better understand the genre and see if my HK obsession was justified or because I just love the genre. Ori 1 and 2, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Metroid Dread are all excellent games that had me questioning at times if they topped this (and there are things in those games I hope Team Cherry steals for Silksong) but ultimately after revisiting this, I can safely say this trumps those easily. There's something about the absolute mood of this game that's just so damn hard to top. It's peak gaming.

Now give me Silksong already dammit.