When I reached the part of the game where you unlocked the Swift Step, I just thought it would be a simple dash— the same as the one in Hollow Knight, but instead you get a super-quick-step-propulsion that you can turn into a full on Sonic run. It genuinely reminded me of the Boost games, and the stark difference in speed boosting through the straight-aways versus the 2D platforming sections.
i unlocked the swift step!!!
when the animation to get it started playing, i thought: "oh, this is the standard dash you see in games. makes sense"
and then you get this super fast quick-step-propulsion thing that you can turn into a full on Sonic the Hedgehog (specifically boost-era) run.
it's actually funny how much it reminded me of sonic. like in the boost games, there's a very clear difference in speed between the 3D straightaways (where you can see very far infront of you) and the slow 2D platforming (where boosting lasts for a quarter second before you hit a wall).
silksong isn't that bad, of course. the difference between walking and dash/running isn't that much faster (it is definitely faster, mind you— it is a dash at the end of the day), but it's also strictly a 2D action platformer with very precise movement controls so speed wouldn't.
on the other hand, i have definitely taken significantly more damage since getting this item...
BUT IT'S COOL SO WHO CARES RAHHH
honestly part of it is because of how strong the visual effects are. the actual dash itself creates this massive smoke trail behind you, plus there's cool action lines that are like five times the size of hornet. it makes sense (i guess??) when you're doing the full on run, but it's kind of weird looking when you're not.
i think it's part of the charm, tbh. it's such a strong burst of movement anyways so it fits.
