This is my experience so far. I don’t consider myself a bad gamer, but games like this with fairly intentional difficulty spikes turn some people off. I go both ways on it. The gargoyles in dark souls were a road block, but I was happy to beat my head into that wall until it broke. Kinda the same with the three guys guarding the wall kick in Hollow Knight. But if it’s like a switch or a dumb ring that’s necessary to get past an area,I don’t like it all that much(which I think is why so many people didn’t like the demon ruins, and it being a rushed area).

I got hollow Knight like a year or two ago and come back to it occasionally every few weeks or so. I find it fun and enjoyable enough. I can see the love and intention in every area, and can respect that. But it’s not in my to ten favorites. And not to harsh anyone else’s mellow. If you love it that’s great. I don’t want to take that away from you. I will likely be a day one buyer of silk song just to show support for this kind pricing and fan service. But let people enjoy what they want.