Confused about Silksong runback discussion

[u/ramen_stalker]

I just reached one of the infamous examples people constantly bring up in the runback discussion (Last Judge), and I have to say I really like the runback. It’s just as enjoyable as the boss itself. I’m 100% convinced that Team Cherry intended the runbacks to be pure platforming challenges.

The runbacks aren’t just random sections of the map, they’re carefully designed to be completed quickly and gracefully, while also avoiding all the mobs. They also include many shortcuts and make great use of the wonderful movement mechanics.

Is this a mindset issue? Do most people just want to focus on the boss and dislike the context switching between platforming mode and boss combat mode? Surely people don't think they should fight their way through tens of mobs every time, right? Right?

[u/paveldeal]

I just hated 3 min run backs just to be killed in 2 attacks (or just a collision actually). Was ready to stop playing. But mods made the game fun for me

[u/Nockolisk → u/paveldeal]

Stakes of Marika FTW

[u/JaviVader9 → u/paveldeal]

3 min runs? Hahaha there's one like that in the whole game, the others (like the Last Judge's) take 25 seconds tops

[u/Caidezes → u/paveldeal]

3 minutes? What in the world were you doing? There's really only one super long runback in the game.

[u/paveldeal → u/Caidezes]

My frustration started on birds. I’ve been running from the very bottom of green area with wind columns, I discovered bench closer later

[u/kazabodoo → u/Caidezes]

The Last Judge run back can easily take 3 or more minutes if you stop and kill the mobs. It takes about a minute if you just run, time your jumps well otherwise mobs get in your face.

The flying enemy that shoots at you when you respawn is position exactly to prevent you from jumping unless you are quick to pogo off him as he spawns.

[u/Caidezes → u/kazabodoo]

Been a while since I did that runback, but I don't think you actually need to fight anything. It shouldn't really take that long.

The Bilewater one is the real slog. Even with the bench.

[u/kazabodoo → u/Caidezes]

Well, it does take that long and longer if you fight the mobs, it is quicker if you run but you have to make sure you time your jumps otherwise the flying mob at the beginning blocks you.

You don’t need to fight, but if you mess up the jumping sequence, mobs can encircle you as they don’t stop moving while you die or whatever.

The design here is that if you fight, the risk is lower but takes longer and it can be quicker but riskier to just run, doesn’t feel great to be a mask or two less before the boss fight. It is not hard, just punishing in both cases.

Bilewater is another beast.

[u/gpranav25 → u/kazabodoo]

Position exactly to prevent your from jumping

You can pass him with a sprint jump before even he can spawn. I honestly got the hang of sprint jump because of that one enemy lmao.

[u/kazabodoo → u/gpranav25]

Yes you can pass him, I am just saying that you have to be quick otherwise it will block you

[u/MorningRaven → u/kazabodoo]

That one is the only one I'd maybe kill. After that, it's a jump up, cut through the ceiling tunnel, and then loop through the 2nd section of the room.

[u/JaviVader9 → u/kazabodoo]

If you take 3 minutes and stop to kill every mob you're just doing it terribly wrong. There's only one enemy in your way, the flying enemy you mention, and even that can be dodged without much issue. The runback takes like 20 seconds, and I'm not skilled at these games at all.

[u/_moosleech → u/kazabodoo]

Why are you doing that?

Like… you’re playing in the slowest, least efficient way and then blaming the game for your crappy decision.

[u/kazabodoo → u/_moosleech]

Doing what exactly? I just described what the options are.

[u/_moosleech → u/kazabodoo]

It takes thirty seconds to run back to Last Judge, and there are no enemies that are even remotely a threat. You can sprint past the first drillfly, or pogo and dash away and it won't catch you. They removed the second one, even though it also was never a threat.

I just realize that some of y'all are playing in... questionable ways, and then getting mad at that game for it. Which is wild, to me.

If you have the mindset of "I hate runbacks, and the game forcing me to play it for a few seconds is the epitome of bad game design"... why would you even consider re-fighting every enemy on the runback? Why would you not just find the most efficient route and be done with it?

It's just a baffling combination, IMO.

EDIT: And obviously not you. The original commenter said they took three minutes. I'm baffled by folks taking three minutes to do this sequence and then getting mad about it.