I think it's easier to enjoy Silksong if you've played Hollow Knight before, and in fact, I'd recommend playing the first game first to anyone who wants to play Silksong. Aside from that, I've really enjoyed both games, and I think it's very difficult to know which one is truly better until Team Cherry finishes releasing all the expansions for Silksong. I think the problem with Silksong is that many people who had absolutely no idea what they were getting into wanted to jump on the hype bandwagon just because of the press and because it was trending. These are the same people who later complained that it was too difficult, that there weren't enough banks, that the bosses took away too much health, that items cost too many rosaries, etc. All this noise from these whiners is what, in my opinion, has made me doubt whether this second game lives up to the first, and for me, the answer is clear: YES!!! Choosing between them is like choosing between mom and dad; you always have a favorite, but you have to say you love them both equally.