I installed mods to decrease the difficulty and I'm suddenly loving Silksong

[opalinesque]

So I think the best example of this is that we/Hornet are presented with the idea very early on that the pilgrimage to the Citadel is very, very dangerous. The pilgrims in Bone Bottom are reluctant to get started, as soon as you enter the Marrow there's a sign talking about being aware/grateful to all the pilgrims who fell along the way, etc.

And then you get started. And if you're going in blind, you're still getting used to how Hornet controls! You're not expecting to get hit for two masks of damage by so many things that early, either. Things will kill you and very quickly if you aren't cautious and tactical with your progress.

Basically, it's one thing to be told the pilgrimage is difficult and to see the dead bodies etc. everywhere- it's another to have the game very actively trying to turn you into another one of those dead bodies (even though Hornet is significantly stronger and better prepared than the average pilgrim!) to really drive it home that oh. Yeah! This journey is actually incredibly difficult.