Crisis in Pharloom: Team Cherry Addresses Persistent Simplified Chinese Translation Issues in Hollow Knight: Silksong Beta Patch

The highly anticipated Metroidvania sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, has once again found itself under the scrutiny of its dedicated community. Developer Team Cherry has deployed a new public beta build—dubbed by some as “Patch 4” (Version 1.0.28954)—to the Steam platform. While the update includes a raft of game fixes and critical quality-of-life improvements, the primary focus remains the troubled Simplified Chinese (SC) localization, a major pain point that has heavily influenced the game’s initial reception in the world’s most lucrative gaming markets.

Following a wave of negative reviews at the game’s launch, largely driven by the initial, heavily criticized SC script, Team Cherry made a public commitment to overhaul the localization. This new beta patch represents the first official step in that direction, featuring a “basic implementation” of a completely new translation script. However, early player feedback suggests the journey to a universally accepted translation is far from over, with new problems emerging even as old ones are addressed.

The Lingering Shadow of Localization Blunders

The controversy surrounding the original Chinese translation was unique. Unlike typical poor localizations stemming from simple errors or lack of context, the initial Silksong script was criticized for being overly florid and “maliciously” fabricated. Community reports highlighted instances of the translator inserting their own literary flair, leading to confusing mistranslations and even outright misinformation regarding quest details and item functionality. The resulting consensus within the Chinese gaming community—often cited as the reason for negative reviews—was that the translation transformed the game’s somber, elliptical prose into something resembling a high-fantasy “Wuxia novel,” fundamentally altering the tone of Hornet’s perilous journey through Pharloom.

This negative reception was a significant blow for the developer, especially considering the high CPC keywords associated with the game’s massive global anticipation.

New Patch, New Challenges: Feedback on Version 1.0.28954

The new patch, currently available on the Steam beta branch, aims to replace the problematic initial script. Team Cherry has adopted a cautious, public-testing approach, explicitly labeling the new translation as a “basic implementation only, to be refined and updated based on player feedback.” The patch notes emphasize the open call for community engagement to refine clarity, style, and spelling, showing a clear attempt to prioritize player satisfaction and community-driven localization.

However, initial reports from Chinese-speaking players testing the build point to a new set of concerns:

• Character and Place Name Changes: The most immediate sticking point is the alteration of names for key NPCs and in-game locations. Many of these had established, community-recognized translations from the original Hollow Knight or through early Silksong materials, and the new script has changed them, creating confusion and player dissonance.
• Display Issues: As warned by Team Cherry, the implementation is not yet finalized, leading to minor formatting and display bugs in the translated text.

Team Cherry has been notably responsive to this early feedback. In an official comment, the studio acknowledged the issues, stating, “We fully agree with comments that the names of characters, places etc, should generally remain the same as in the original version. Only a few specific names should be considered appropriate to change – those where the current translation is confusing or incorrect.” This rapid acknowledgment underscores the studio’s commitment to releasing a translation that meets “the community’s standards.”

Beyond Localization: Other Key Fixes in the Beta

While the Chinese translation dominates the news cycle, the beta patch also introduces several other crucial technical updates and gameplay improvements that will be vital for the full patch rollout:

• Improved Controller Support: The game has officially switched to Unity’s Input System, promising better overall controller support, including functional rumble features for various modern controllers.
• Critical Bug Squashes: Numerous instances of persistent and frustrating bugs have been addressed, including:
  • Fixes for Styx not granting rosaries after delivering the Queen’s Egg.
  • Addressing issues with the Druid’s Eyes sometimes failing to equip correctly.
  • Rectifying several instances where Hornet’s “plasmified state” would clear unintentionally.
  • Fixes for unintended long bind times when using Multibinder with the Shaman crest.

These core fixes, addressing issues with tools, resources, and persistent states, are essential for players engaged in hardcore Metroidvania gameplay and are critical for long-term player retention.

The Road Ahead for the Critically Acclaimed Sequel

Hollow Knight: Silksong has been hailed by critics globally as a triumphant sequel, but the launch-day controversy surrounding its localization served as a significant reminder of the necessity of respectful and accurate global localization strategy. The ongoing public beta process shows Team Cherry’s dedication to fixing this critical misstep, even if the road is bumpier than anticipated.

The studio’s transparency and quick reaction to player feedback are a positive sign for consumers and investors alike, emphasizing a commitment to product quality that is rare among major releases. Players are encouraged to provide detailed, constructive feedback via the official bug report channels. The definitive, full release of this patch, with a finalized and community-vetted Simplified Chinese translation, is now one of the most closely watched events in the indie gaming space.

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This news confirms the challenging nature of translating complex narrative-driven games and highlights the power of player community feedback in refining the final product. The resolution of the SC translation issue will be paramount to the game’s commercial success and its lasting legacy in the Metroidvania genre.

Key Takeaways from the Patch 4 Beta Notes

• Focus: Overhaul of the Simplified Chinese translation (new script).
• Status: Basic implementation, currently in public Steam beta for testing and refinement.
• Issues Raised: Alterations to established character/place names.
• Developer Response: Team Cherry agrees names should generally remain consistent with the original game.
• Technical Upgrades: Switch to Unity’s Input System for enhanced controller support and rumble features.

(Source: Team Cherry Steam Announcements, IGN, Rock Paper Shotgun, Community Reports via Reddit)

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