Bolorsoft Q&A - Recent questions and answers

Silksong Survival Guide: Essential Tips for Hornet's Deadly Pilgrimage

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:55:27 +0000

The moment Hornet set foot in the mossy ruins of Pharloom, she knew this pilgrimage would be nothing like her previous adventures. The Knight's steady, soul‑driven journey was a distant memory. Here, speed was everything, and Silk—precious, volatile Silk—was the currency of survival. Enemies struck faster, traps bit harder, and every mistake threatened to undo minutes of progress. For any wanderer brave enough to follow her path, the early hours are a gauntlet of hard lessons. Yet with a handful of well‑kept secrets, the journey transforms from a brutal slog into a thrilling dance. These are the tricks that separate a struggling drifter from a triumphant hunter.

️ The Perils of Binding

One of the first hard lessons a new pilgrim learns is that healing is not a safe refuge. Hornet's Bind ability stitches her wounds using Silk, but the animation leaves her utterly exposed. If an enemy lands a hit before the final stitch, she doesn't just lose the heal—she loses every drop of Silk she was carrying. In the original Hollow Knight, a failed heal cost only Soul, which could be gathered again. Here, the penalty is far crueler. That is why seasoned players never attempt Bind in the middle of a chaotic brawl. They wait for a lull, a stagger, or a safe distance. Creating that opening is a skill in itself, and mastering it is the difference between life and a very expensive death.

The Flea Caravan Shortcut

Not every obstacle must be faced head‑on. The Flea Caravan offers a rare chance to skip one of the game's early walls: the Moorwing boss. Normally, this towering beast blocks the main path to Bellhart, and for underprepared travelers, it is a grueling fight. But by riding the Caravan, Hornet can bypass the beast entirely and arrive directly in the bustling town. Some purists might call it cheating, but for those who value progress over pride, it is a brilliant strategic move. Bellhart is packed with useful NPCs, quests, and upgrades, and reaching it early opens up a wealth of opportunities that would otherwise be locked behind a difficult battle.

Deep Docks: The Early Rosary Mint

Rosaries, the lifeblood of Pharloom's economy, are always in short supply. Maps, charms, and tools demand payment, and early on, every coin feels like a fortune. Deep Docks holds the solution. Once discovered, this industrial region becomes an unofficial mint. A specific enemy near a bench drops roughly seven rosaries per kill. The setup is perfect: defeat the foe, rest at the bench to respawn it, and repeat. It is mindless, efficient, and far faster than selling relics. Within minutes, a patient farmer can afford the upgrades that make the next stretch of the journey far less punishing.

Shell Shards from Pond Skippers

Shell Shards are another resource that vanishes faster than expected, especially when crafting or repairing tools. The humble Pond Skipper, a small flying creature in Shellwood, is the answer. Each one yields three Shell Shards, and they are harmless to farm. Find a quiet pond, set up a rhythm, and watch the shards pile up. It is not glamorous, but it is reliable. Whenever a crucial repair looms and the inventory is bare, a quick trip to Shellwood solves the problem without risking life or limb.

️ Maps and Quills: The First Purchases

Wandering without a map is a recipe for frustration. Pharloom's regions are vast, labyrinthine, and full of dead ends. That is why the first purchase in any new area should always be the map from Shakra. Knowing the layout prevents endless backtracking and reveals the locations of benches and key NPCs. But the map alone is not enough—the Quill is equally vital. Without it, the map remains a static outline, and every step into the unknown must be memorized. With the Quill, resting at a bench automatically updates the map, turning a confusing maze into a clear plan.

Relics Are Meant to Be Sold

In many games, collectibles hide secret uses. In Silksong, relics are refreshingly straightforward: they exist to be sold. They do not unlock story events, they are not crafting ingredients, and they offer no hidden bonuses. The Relic Seeker in Bellhart buys them for a handsome sum—small ones like the Bone Scroll fetch around fifty rosaries, while grand relics like the Choral Commandment bring in far more. Holding onto them is pointless. Whenever coin is needed, a quick sale is the smartest move.

Hidden Openings Reward the Curious

Like its predecessor, Silksong hides secrets behind seemingly solid walls. A suspicious wall in Hunter's March, for example, crumbles when attacked, revealing a passage to a much‑needed bench. These hidden paths often contain rosaries, relics, charms, or safe havens. Testing every odd corner with a quick strike is a habit worth forming. The time spent is trivial compared to the reward of a new checkpoint or a valuable treasure. Curiosity, in Pharloom, is not a vice—it is a survival trait.

Pogoing: The Art of the Bounce

Finally, there is pogoing. By jumping, aiming down, and striking with the needle, Hornet bounces off enemies and objects. It is a technique that feels awkward at first but soon becomes second nature. Pogoing lets her reach high platforms, cross dangerous floors, and stay mobile during boss fights. Many areas are designed with this skill in mind, placing enemies precisely where a well‑timed bounce opens a new route. Mastering the timing transforms the environment from a series of obstacles into a playground.

With these tricks in hand, the pilgrimage through Pharloom becomes less of a trial and more of an adventure. Hornet is fast, fragile, and utterly deadly in the right hands—and now, those hands have a fighting chance.

Of course, sharpening your skills only matters once the game is actually in your library. Whether you are still deciding to pick up Silksong, holding out for a discount on the base game, or hunting down deals on other metroidvanias that scratch the same itch, it pays to know where prices are tracked in one place. DealNest gathers game discounts and storefront offers so you can compare before committing your rosaries—real ones, this time.

If you would rather spend less and play more, it is worth a look at check game prices on DealNest before your next pu check game prices

How I Accidentally Locked Myself Out of Silksong's Best Co-Op Boss Fight

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:36:18 +0000

I've been playing Hollow Knight: Silksong since it launched, and like many of you, I tried to go in as blind as possible. No guides, no spoilers—just me, Hornet, and the vast, bug-filled world of Pharloom. But you know what? That approach bit me in the rear. I made a couple of innocent choices early on, and they ended up robbing me of what was shaping up to be one of my favorite boss fights in the entire game. Mild spoilers for Silksong ahead, so if you're still exploring, maybe bookmark this and come back later.

The Moorwing Fight: A Co-Op Dream Come True

I love Metroidvanias because they let me jump from one thing to another. Silksong is such a large game that I could easily pause trying to defeat a tricky boss and go explore somewhere else for a bit. That's exactly what I did when I came across the Moorwing in Greymoor. The fight itself is fairly standard but challenging, with a wide-open arena and plenty of breathing room. The best part, though, was that I wasn't doing it alone. I had come across a mighty warrior named Garmond in Greymoor, riding atop his faithful steed, Zaza. To my surprise, the two offered to assist me in battle and did, in fact, dive into the fray headfirst.

It was such a delight to have a companion to fight with, and Garmond made such a great foil to Hornet's stoic nature. I wandered off to explore some more, planning to return to the battle after a while. I mean, who wouldn't want to savor that? But that was my first mistake.

Two Decisions, One Locked Door

What I didn't realize is that when I gave the flea caravan the go-ahead to relocate, they would be putting up shop right on Moorwing's battlefield, rendering me incapable of completing the fight. This means that you can completely skip the fight if you relocate the caravan before you explore Greymoor. Talk about a buzzkill. I didn't even know I'd missed it at first—I just thought the boss had vanished. Nope, my own actions had sealed that door.

So, if you're like me and you missed out on the battle against Moorwing, all is not lost. According to multiple reports from players, the giant still shows up in a different location in a future act, so you still get a chance to fight it. Unfortunately, I'm not sure yet if Garmond and Zaza will be joining me for this second battle. Garmond and Zaza are still hanging out in Greymoor, offering to help me fight the nonexistent battle. While it seems that they'll still join in even if the moth moves its location, some players report being unable to get the duo to appear in the fight again, while others report never getting to continue the fight at all.

A Bittersweet Metroidvania Experience

On one hand, I still love the experience of discovering Hollow Knight: Silksong at my own pace and in my own way. On the other hand, I hope I still get to finish the fight with Moorwing, with Zaza and Garmond at my side. It's a reminder that Metroidvanias can be wonderfully cruel. The game doesn't hold your hand, and sometimes your choices have consequences you never see coming.

Here's a quick summary of what happened, in case you want to avoid my fate:

Decision	Consequence
Left the Moorwing fight to explore	Boss remained available until...
Relocated the flea caravan	Caravan parked on the battlefield, locking me out
Result	Missed the co-op fight, may have to fight solo later

And a few tips for fellow travelers:

If you want to fight Moorwing with Garmond and Zaza, do it before relocating the flea caravan.
️ Explore Greymoor thoroughly before making any caravan decisions.
Co-op fights are rare and precious—don't walk away from them lightly.

As of 2026, Silksong has been out for a while, but this particular design quirk still catches new players off guard. I've seen forum posts from people who did exactly what I did, and they're just as bummed. So take it from me: if you see a giant moth and a warrior on a steed, finish the job. Don't be like me.

I'm still holding out hope for a rematch. Maybe in a future act, Garmond and Zaza will ride again. Until then, I'll keep exploring Pharloom, one mistake at a time. You know how it goes.

Mistakes like this one are exactly what push a lot of us back to the drawing board — or back into Hallownest. I've known plenty of players who, after fumbling a fight in Silksong, decide to revisit the original Hollow Knight to scratch that Metroidvania itch while waiting for a patch or a fresh playthrough. Others go hunting for something new in the same genre entirely, whether that's another moody map to get lost in or a co-op title to share with a friend instead of an NPC.

If you land in that second camp, it's worth checking whether the games on your wishlist are actually cheapest where you think they are — storefronts, regions, and sales shift constantly, and the difference is often bigger than expected. Sites like game price comparison aggregators make that quick to check before you commit, so a bad decision costs you a few clicks instead of a full-price regret. Given how unforgiving these games can be, it's nice to at least control the damage outside of Pharloom.

How I Finally Reached Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:20:38 +0000

I thought I was finished. I had beaten Grand Mother Silk, watched her power bind, and saw Pharloom wrapped in a nest of tangled threads. Beautiful, poetic, and apparently not the ending. In 2026, Hollow Knight: Silksong still hides a whole third act behind a quest that barely announces itself: Silk and Soul. I spent a week chasing rumors, backtracking, and killing bosses I thought I would never see again. Here is what actually worked for me.

Prerequisites for the Quest

The first thing I had to accept was that Silksong was not going to hand me Act 3. I needed to go to Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and the Songclave and complete every single quest available. Yes, every restoration quest too. Restoring each area unlocked new quests, and those had to be finished as well. The rewards were worth it, but the real prize was the trigger.

I also completed the world quests around Pharloom. That meant The Pollip Quest in Shellwood, Broodfeast in the Putrified Ducts, The Great Taste of Pharloom, and a few others. The Courier Rasher quest line was a particular test of patience.

Relocating the Fleas

Next, I had to move the fleas to a more suitable location. For that, I needed the Putrified Ducts and the long stretch of flat land to the far east, where the lake sits. I strongly recommend arriving from Bilewater and killing Groal the Great. That route let me collect the Seeker's Soul in a little hut right after the boss, which saved me a later trip.

Finding fleas is the tedious part. There are 30 in total, but only 20 need to be discovered to move the caravan. Some fleas only appear in Act 3, so do not panic if you are short. If you are stuck, an NPC in the Putrified Ducts will sell you the missing flea locations.

Settle Down In Your Bellhome

Once Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and Songclave were clear of quests, I returned to Bellhart and spoke to Pavo. He gave me the Key to my own Home. Before decorating, I went up to the Memorium area in the Citadel, grabbed the Materium, and freed the giant flea there. Installing the Materium in the bellhome felt like a proper milestone. And no, you do not need to buy any refurbishment items from the Bellhart shop.

Cleaning Up

These were the tasks I completed before the Silk and Soul quest appeared. I recommend doing them whether they are strictly required or not:

Grab a Simple Key from Bone Bottom, Songclave, or the Sands of Karak. Use it on the Green Prince's cage in Sinner's Road.
Find all three cogheart pieces around the Citadel. Restore the sentinel, then take him down in the High Halls area.
Explore Weavenest Atla and speak to Eva.
Explore as much of the map as possible, buy all maps from Shakra, and finish the Trail's End quest.

After that, I spoke to the Caretaker in Songclave, and the Silk and Soul quest finally appeared.

Constructing the Trap

The quest asks for 4 important items. Order does not matter, and you may already have one. However, the Maiden and the Hermit will not give you their parts until the quest is active.

Item	Location	Notes
Seeker's Soul	Putrified Ducts, via Bilewater	Beat Groal the Great, then enter the hut
Maiden's Soul	Far right of Bone Bottom, above Moss Grotto	Speak with her
Hermit's Soul	Bellway Station in Bellhart	Hidden wall below platforms, right side
Snare Setter	Weavenest Atla	Through Needolin door, hidden ceiling room

The Seeker's Soul

If you came up through Bilewater, you already have it. If not, Bilewater is a tricky area that demands your upgrades. I headed up via the Sinner's Road entrance or through the Exhaust Organ. Tall chambers, nasty jumps, and large vomiting bugs later, I reached Groal the Great.

The fight is waves of enemies atop an infested lake. Groal spawns after the waves. I hit him from below and switched sides when he used his suction move. A fully upgraded needle plus Cogflies and Sharpdart made the difference. Afterward, the little house held the Seeker's Soul.

The Maiden's Soul

The maiden is the one you might remember from the beginning. She is far to the right of Bone Bottom, just above the Moss Grotto. I spoke with her, and she offered her soul to help trap Grand Mother Silk.

The Hermit's Soul

This one was simpler. I went to the Bellway Station in Bellhart. To the far right of the room, below the platforms, there is a hidden entrance through the wall. I delved down into the tunnels and found the Hermit in his pipe. He also offered his soul.

The Snare Setter

The final piece is in Weavenest Atla. I went back to the Moss Grotto, through the Needolin door, and down the light platform. In the middle chamber, I jumped up the right wall and continued left into the top passageway. In the small room just before the spool fragment, I jumped up through the ceiling and found the room with the Snare Setter.

Laying The Trap

With all four items, I returned to Songclave and spoke to the Quest Giver. He asked me to meet him in the Cradle, right before the Grand Mother Silk fight. Yes, that means fighting her again. Since I had already beaten her, it was not too bad, but if you struggle, take your time and use your best tools.

Finally, I defeated her. Instead of binding her power, I played my Needolin to trigger the trap. A brand-new cutscene played, and Act 3 opened up. I will not spoil the rest. In 2026, this remains one of the best hidden turns in Silksong. Enjoy, and good luck. You are going to need it.

Silksong's best moments often come from the quiet thrill of discovery—stumbling into a hidden room, piecing together a questline, or realizing a boss has a second phase you weren't prepared for. That same where to buy cheap games

My Abyss Survival Guide in Silksong: Map, Entry, and Escape

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:34:02 +0000

As a die-hard Hollow Knight fan, I dove headfirst into Silksong's Act 3 the moment I unlocked it. And let me tell you, the Abyss is no joke. This pitch-black nightmare will test your patience, but the rewards are worth it. Here's my personal account of finding the Abyss map, reaching the depths, and clawing my way back out.

Finding the Abyss Map

So you've made it to the Abyss. Congrats, but you're probably blind as a bat down there. The Abyss map is located right on top of the southern bench. After you reach that checkpoint, look for an opening above you and jump up there. Then head a little to the left, and you'll claim the map. Once you grab it, all the areas Hornet has already discovered on the way to the bench will instantly appear on your map. ️

But here's the catch: the Abyss map only opens after you've gone through the pitch-black depths. So there's no way to use it before that. Trust me, I tried. You just have to stumble around in the dark for a bit.

How to Reach the Abyss

Reaching the Abyss in Silksong is no easy task. After entering Act 3, Hornet is determined to fix the disaster that's fallen upon Pharloom. To do that, she needs to reach the cause of it all in the depths, which means volunteering for a journey to the Abyss.

To get there, she needs help from someone who knows how to forge a vessel that can withstand the trip. So you'll need to journey to the Deep Docks and find the Forge Daughter, who's marked by the vendor icon on your map. But when you speak to her, she'll tell you that the one you actually need is Ballow, the worker next to her. Talk to Ballow, and he'll agree to help Hornet.

Next, head to the old diving bell and speak to Ballow again to begin your ascent to the Abyss. If you've never explored this part of the Deep Docks, you'll have to take a long detour before you reach Ballow's next location. Once you enter the diving bell and travel down, you'll finally arrive in the Abyss. From there, Hornet must find her way to the southern bench, where she'll meet a familiar figure shortly after.

How to Escape the Abyss

Okay, so you're stuck in the Abyss. Now what? To escape, you need to get the Silk Soar skill first. Find a way up, and on the top-right, there will be a door that can be opened using the Needolin skill. Head through that door and keep descending to get the Super Jump ability, which is required to get out of the Abyss.

After obtaining the Super Jump, backtrack to the route you took previously. But this time, additional routes will be available to the left, with a bench at the end. Make sure you rest on this bench, because the next part of the exit is unforgiving and may take a few tries. Believe me, I died more times than I care to admit.

Final Thoughts

Silksong not only gives you a world that's satisfying to explore, but also a cryptic story that hides a lot more than you'd expect. There's even more than one ending to discover, which means plenty of replayability on top of the Steel Soul (permadeath) mode. Once you unlock the secret Act 3, the Abyss is just one of many challenges waiting for you.

So there you have it: my personal guide to the Abyss map location, how to reach it, and how to escape. It's a tough journey, but that's what makes it so rewarding. Now go out there and show the Abyss who's boss. ️⚔️

If you've made it this far, chances are you're either deep into your own run through Pharloom or seriously considering picking up Silksong — or its predecessor — for yourself. Between multiple storefronts, regional pricing, and sales that seem to vanish as quickly as a Shade, keeping track of what's actually a good deal can be almost as tedious as navigating the Abyss without a map. That's where something like a game price tracker comes in handy, letting you monitor price drops across platforms instead of refreshing store pages every few days.

Whether you're hunting for a discount before starting your own Steel Soul attempt or just want to grab the original Hollow Knight while you're at it, DealNest makes that side of the hobby a lot less painful — leaving you more time for the parts that actually matter, like finally nailing that Super Jump sequence on the first try.

Elden Ring Nightreign Patch 1.03.1 Expands Deep of Night and Fixes Hundreds of Bugs

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:16:57 +0000

As a longtime Nightfarer, I booted up Elden Ring: Nightreign the moment I saw FromSoftware had deployed patch 1.03.1 across all platforms. The update is not just a routine maintenance drop. For anyone who owns The Forsaken Hollows DLC, it pours fresh content into the ultra-hard Deep of Night mode. For everyone else, it delivers a massive list of balance changes, quality-of-life features, and bug fixes that touch nearly every corner of the game. In 2026, with the DLC now boasting an impressive 2 million players, this patch feels like a clear signal that FromSoftware is still actively shaping the Nightreign experience.

Deep of Night Gets More Dangerous for DLC Owners

If you own The Forsaken Hollows, the headline is simple: Deep of Night now has new targets, Landmarks, raid events, and Shifting Earth encounters. I love that these additions only appear when I am matched with other players who also own the DLC. It keeps the expansion content feeling special and avoids confusing newer players who have not bought in yet. The Great Hollow Shifting Earth also received focused adjustments. Curse effects related to Fire, Magic, Lightning, and Holy are now stronger when they appear on weapons and items in the temples. FromSoftware also tweaked the Continuous HP Loss and Continuous HP Recovery curses.

The Night Aspect fight can now feature additional attack types if every Nightfarer in the party owns The Forsaken Hollows. That change alone makes me want to assemble a full DLC squad. I also noticed that when the Night's Tide engulfs you in the Great Hollow, your character's feet now appear to be burning. It is a small visual touch, but it sells the danger.

Feature	What Changed
New DLC content	New targets, Landmarks, raid events, and Shifting Earth in Deep of Night
Matchmaking	DLC additions only appear with other DLC owners
Great Hollow curses	Increased elemental curse effects and adjusted HP loss/recovery curses
Night Aspect	Extra attack types when all Nightfarers own the DLC

Balance Tweaks and Quality-of-Life Wins ️

The wolves summoned during the Tricephalos raid event have had their attack power decreased. As someone who has been ambushed by those wolves more than once, I say thank you. Scholar players will appreciate the new stack count display for the damage negation reduction icon that appears when hitting enemies with level 3 Dart-type items via the Bagcraft skill.

Scholar's Ultimate Art Communion no longer breaks when transforming with the Executor's Ultimate Art Aspects of the Crucible: Beast. There is also a new near-death animation when reviving with the Power to Balance the World special effect. Identical consumables now combine according to their stack limit when swapped in the Equipment Menu. The status menu now shows icons and explanations for active effects, pinned items display rarity color in the You indicated equipment message, and map clues in the Great Hollow Shifting Earth have an expanded discovery range. I can also remap the Map Display key in the keyboard/mouse settings. These are the kinds of changes that make long expeditions feel smoother.

A Mountain of Bug Fixes

The patch notes are enormous, and I cannot list every single fix without turning this into a novel. But several categories stand out. Scholar received a long list of repairs: Communion no longer applies when no other targets are affected, linked damage and healing now propagate correctly during Near Death, Analyze gauge gain is fixed at maximum charge, analyzed target counts no longer reset when someone opens the Spirit Tree shelter door, Bagcraft duration and Fan Dagger hit application are corrected, level 3 Holy Water Pot now damages the Royal Revenant, Crystal Tear counts display properly, and Frozen Needle attack motions are fixed.

Revenant players will be glad that Immortal March's immortality is no longer overwritten by other visual effects. Bows got attention too: Black Flame Blade and Bloodflame Blade now remove frostbite from enemies, Improved Rolling Attacks applies to Bows, and Partial HP Restoration upon Post-Damage Attacks triggers on critical hits. The Chilling Mist and Holy Ground interaction no longer causes self-frostbite. Black Flame Blade also now works correctly with Frenzyflame Thrust, and no longer incorrectly applies to Wave of Gold and Thundercloud Form hitboxes. Golden Retaliation and Carian Retaliation can now rescue allies from near-death states more reliably. Regal Beastclaw and Wave of Gold receive attack power enhancements. Ancient Death Rancor and Beast Claw can be charged properly, and Beast Claw's post-cast delay can be canceled by chaining.

Other notable fixes include Cold Mirage applying to Executor's Aspects of the Crucible: Beast, solo expedition revival with Power to Balance the World, Totem Stela kills counting for relic effects, Evergaol prisoner attack power stacking, relic stack loss after death, rune acquisition sharing after revival, Great Bow of the Erdtree appearing as intended, near-death gauge carryover from day two bosses, and lock-on for near-death allies.

Boss and Raid Event Repairs ⚔️

Boss fights received extensive attention. Gaping Jaw ground attacks have better hit detection and effect positions. Everdark Sovereign Equilibrious Beast no longer spawns enemy Raiders because of a specific Revenant costume. The Dancer of the Boreal Valley can now be damaged by other players during critical hits. The Dreglord fight fixes incorrect spell aiming, enemy attacks targeting the wrong players, players getting stuck inside objects, and music timing in multiplayer. The Balancers grab attack sound effect now plays. Demon in Pain and Demon from Below now have defeat animations when killed simultaneously, and arrows to their heads deal increased damage. Several Night bosses, Curseblade timings, Great Hollows summoned enemies, Tree Guard, Omenkillers in Blacksmith Village, and DLC enemy drops have all been corrected.

Raid events also got cleaned up. Augur water bombs no longer turn invisible for rejoining players. Tricephalos wolves disappear immediately after clearing, have intended HP in 2-3 player expeditions, and correct damage reduction. Fissure in the Fog blizzard and fog display issues are fixed, multiple bosses no longer appear for rejoining players, and runes are awarded properly. Balancer raid event spawn issues are addressed.

Great Hollow Shifting Earth, Menus, and More ️

The Great Hollow Shifting Earth received dozens of fixes: full HP restoration after Crystal Curse death, site of grace and blacksmithing table consistency, Crystal Curse immunity exploits, temple progression blockers, extra enemies during boss fights, treasure chest stuck spots, Spiritstream usability after rejoin, Totem Stela spawning underground, rune acquisition, map icons, and more. Blacksmith Village Cataclysm Nightfarer enemies now appear, Combat Art workbench skill assignment is fixed, and Sparring Grounds effects no longer persist after character changes. Undertaker's Loathsome Hex can no longer reach unintended locations. Relic Rite menus display effects correctly, item help works in the Visual Codex, and map menu depth icons behave.

FromSoftware also addressed the Unity Technologies security vulnerability announced steam sale tracker

Mister Mushroom Returns: All 7 Locations In Hollow Knight: Silksong

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:02:59 +0000

Somewhere out there, in the damp and the dark, a fungus is waiting to deliver cryptic nonsense to anyone curious enough to listen. Yes, the Mushroom Man is back in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and veteran players who once tore their hair out chasing the Passing Of The Age achievement in the original game know exactly what that means. Was it fun the first time? Absolutely not. Is it fun now? Well… define fun. In 2026, with the game's community still trading tips, this particular hunt remains one of the strangest side quests Team Cherry ever cooked up.

The good news is that the hunt itself is a little gentler than before. The bad news? The final stop will absolutely test a player's platforming skills to their breaking point. Not quite Path Of Pain territory, perhaps, but close enough to make grown adults whisper apologies to their controllers. So, for anyone who would rather not decode the rambling poem themselves, here is the full rundown of all seven locations where the mysterious mushroom shows up.

The Poem Unravelled

Before the hunt can begin, there is one small problem: the quest has to be started. Head to the Putrified Ducts, past Fleatopia and across the lake. Just before entering the little cave at the back — the one containing Craftmetal — jump up the wall to a small platform where light streams down. Soar to the top of the cave, and there sits a hidden chamber stuffed with mushrooms that will look awfully familiar to anyone who played the first game. Read the tablet, and the quest begins. Simple, right?

Moss Grotto

From the Bone Bottom Bellway Station, run to the far left where the Ruined Chapel sits, then drop down and head a little to the right. Mushrooms from the Fungal Wastes are sprouting on the ground. Play the Needolin, and Mister Mushroom bursts dramatically from the earth. He does not speak plainly, of course. He never does. Exhaust his dialogue, and he burrows away.

Bone Bottom

Fortunately, he does not travel far this time. He appears on the little platform above Bone Bottom itself, the exact spot where Shakra once peddled her maps. Chat, listen, and wave goodbye.

Far Fields

The poem mentions a "Scorched Field", which can only mean one place. From the Far Fields Bellway Station, head down and east to the area where the spine quest was completed. Mister Mushroom is perched on a platform just right of that horrendous volcano climb. Memories of that particular ascent are best left buried.

Greymoor

"Towers spinning" points squarely at Greymoor's windmills. From the Greymoor Bellway Station, ascend the tower directly above, then head west at the top. A small tunnel winds upward through the caves. Speak with the mushroom, receive more divine wisdom, and then — since the player is already there — soar up into the Wisp Thicket, a small optional area with a boss that will make people question their life choices.

The Slab

Cages mean The Slab. Specifically, the poem refers to the First Sinner. Head to the Slab Bellway Station and into the lower area unlocked with the third Slab Key — obtainable in the Putrified Ducts near the Broodfeast quest giver's house if it has somehow been missed. Beating the First Sinner rewards the Rune Rage silk skill. Mister Mushroom waits just left of the cage, delivers his usual cryptic farewell, and vanishes.

Mount Fay

"Fell heart of frost" means the enormous bird atop Mount Fay. At this point, climbing this blasted mountain for the hundredth time feels routine. With the Faydown Cloak, the journey is far easier than the first visit. For the impatient, there is a cheeky shortcut: climb the wall on the far right bordering The Slab to skip the first half of the ascent entirely. At the summit, Mister Mushroom is deep in conversation with the bug-bird.

The Cradle & The Ultimate Ascent

Here comes the harsh part. From Songclave, run along the long western corridor until spotting a pile of rubble fallen from the ceiling. Soar up and begin the climb toward the Cradle — the same route taken at the start of Act 3. Head up through Lace's arena and keep rising until reaching Grand Mother Silk's boss arena, where the Pale Nails silk skill awaits. One step to the right, head upward again into a small entrance, then keep climbing past light platforming and wall spiders until a bench appears. Savour that bench. The real challenge starts after it.

The final ascent is mostly airborne. Grip walls, Clawline the little nut objects, bounce off flying enemies, and use every trick learned so far. Burrowing worms target anyone standing still on the ground, so lingering is not an option. Falling? Pogo off an enemy below or grab a wall with the Ascendant's Grip and hang there indefinitely to catch a breath. It is tough, but the flow arrives quickly enough — the second attempt is always easier.

At the very top, play the Needolin and speak to Mister Mushroom one last time. The achievement itself requires reaching the game's true ending first, and no spoilers will be found here. So sharpen that needle, pack some patience, and good luck — the fungus is counting on failure.

Location	Hint From The Poem	Difficulty
Putrified Ducts	Hidden tablet	Easy
Moss Grotto	Fungal ground	Easy
Bone Bottom	Above town	Easy
Far Fields	Scorched Field	Medium
Greymoor	Towers spinning	Medium
The Slab	Cages	Hard
Mount Fay	Fell heart of frost	Medium
The Cradle	The final climb	Brutal

Af game price tracker

Mister Mushroom Returns: All 7 Locations In Hollow Knight: Silksong

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 18:40:20 +0000

The Poem Unravelled

Moss Grotto

Bone Bottom

Fortunately, he does not travel far this time. He appears on the little platform above Bone Bottom itself, the exact spot where Shakra once peddled her maps. Chat, listen, and wave goodbye.

Far Fields

Greymoor

The Slab

Mount Fay

The Cradle & The Ultimate Ascent

Location	Hint From The Poem	Difficulty
Putrified Ducts	Hidden tablet	Easy
Moss Grotto	Fungal ground	Easy
Bone Bottom	Above town	Easy
Far Fields	Scorched Field	Medium
Greymoor	Towers spinning	Medium
The Slab	Cages	Hard
Mount Fay	Fell heart of frost	Medium
The Cradle	The final climb	Brutal

After all seven encoun game price tracker

Elden Ring Nightreign Patch Paves the Way for The Forsaken Hollows

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:51:32 +0000

In December 2025, FromSoftware rolled out a new patch for Elden Ring Nightreign, and it landed like a courier carrying both gifts and repairs. The timing was no accident: The Forsaken Hollows, Nightreign's first proper, named DLC, was set to arrive on December 4, bringing new bosses, new shifting earth, and new playable Nightfarers. The patch added support for that expansion, but it also quietly reshaped the entire experience for every player on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Now, in 2026, that update remains a foundational moment for the game, a turning point that showed FromSoftware was still listening.

A Patch That Did More Than Open a Door

FromSoftware did not just flip a switch and call it a day. The studio treated the patch as a chance to smooth out rough edges, and the result was a long list of quality-of-life improvements that players had been requesting for months. The most visible changes included:

Relic management overhaul: Equipped relics now appear in the Character Selection menu, and players can set names for Relic presets in the Relic Rites menu. Those names can be changed in the All Presets section, and preset order can be rearranged per character.
New shop item: The Collector Signboard shop gained the Deep Large Scenic Flatstone.
Map and results improvements: The map's layer display can now be toggled in the Results menu, and the relics equipped by each player are displayed there too.
Matchmaking flexibility: Players with a Personal Objective requiring a specific target kill while Reliving a Remembrance can now embark with players whose Personal Objective does not require that.
Flask count highlighting: The flask count now glows when at maximum capacity or when an enemy-induced effect influences it.
Compass rune icon: The vertical position of the compass rune icon appears if dropped runes are significantly above or below the player.
Map event highlighting: Specific events on a different map layer can now be highlighted in the map menu.
Dormant Power UI: The HP gauge and other UI elements remain visible during Dormant Power selection.
Shop adjustments: Weapon lineup in Limveld's shops was adjusted, and Fire Pots were added to the Spirit Shetler shop inventory.
Raider fix: Target-lock on enemies behind the tombstone summoned by Raider's Ultimate Art no longer gets released.

Balance Changes: The Scales Were Rebalanced

The patch also broadened trigger conditions for relic effects, equipment passive effects, and special effects that activate at low HP. In plain terms, more of those effects now actually do something when you need them. And yeah, that mattered.

Category	Change
New Passive Effects	Improved Melee Attack Power, Improved Dash Attacks, Improved Rolling Attacks
Buffed Passives	Improved Attack Power when Two-Handing, Attack Up when Wielding Two Armaments, Improved Chain Attack Finishers, Improved Charge Attacks, Improved Jump Attacks, Improved Guard Counters, Improved Skill Attack Power, Physical Attack Up
Adjusted Low HP Effects	Improved Damage Negation at Low HP and Blue-Feathered Branchsword had trigger conditions broadened but effectiveness decreased
Relic Effects	Physical Attack Up, Improved Initial Standard Attack, Improved Critical Hits, Improved Guard Counters, Improved XXX Damage (excluding bows), and Improved Attack Power with 3+ XX Equipped (excluding bows) all increased
Other Changes	Wrath of Gold Incantation reduced FP consumption and increased power

Bug Fixes and Quality-of-Life

The bug fix list was hefty enough to make a Tarnished weep with relief. FromSoftware fixed an Augur invasion teleport bug, mitigated an issue where Sites of Grace or Churches would not activate, and repaired a Night's Tide range discrepancy when rejoining a session. Hammer weapons with Prayerful Strike now appear. Healing or enhancing effects now apply to allies who are dodging or performing their Ultimate Art. Ironeye's Marking weak points now show consistently. Raider's Retaliate no longer cancels and flinches from certain no-damage attacks. Recluse's Elemental Defense affinity residues now spawn correctly. Executor parries now apply Stagger damage. Darkness-imbued attack dodge roll ranges were corrected. Depths Relics now show Greenspill Crystal Tear at expedition start. The Deep of Night rating gauge now reflects Reduce Depth properly. Relic Rites placement icons, Dormant Power rarity UI, Sparring Grounds sorting, Results menu attribute reflection, and Victor's Record special effects were all fixed. Session disband messages no longer haunt the title screen, and graphical, audio, text, and performance issues were addressed.

Let's be honest, that was a lot of housekeeping. But it was the kind of housekeeping that turns a good co-op game into a great one.

The Road to The Forsaken Hollows

Nightreign's ultra-hard Deep of Night mode had launched in September, after dataminers discovered it in August. Along with duos mode, that was all players had for a while, and the community had grown agitated at the lack of news. The Forsaken Hollows DLC and this patch arrived like a fresh campfire in the mist. In IGN's 7/10 review, the game was praised as one of the finest three-player co-op experiences around when played as designed, though the lack of crossplay, duo matchmaking, and built-in communication tools made it hard to create those conditions unless you brought two real-life friends on every run.

By 2026, Nightreign has continued to evolve, but this patch stands as a clear statement. FromSoftware did not abandon its strange, brutal, cooperative experiment. It patched, polished, and pushed forward. If you know, you know: sometimes the smallest fixes make the biggest difference.

If this patch has you eyeing The Forsaken Hollows — or finally convincing a third friend to pick up the base game — the cost of entry stacks up fast, and storefront prices rarely sit still. Hunting down legitimate discounts across platforms, regions, and retailers is its own kind of grind, the sort of thing that eats an evening you'd rather spend in the Depths.

That's where a curated aggregator can save you the legwork. DealNest collects current offers and price drops in one place, so instead of tabbing through a dozen store pages hunting for a sale that might already be over, you can find the best deal and get back to chasing Night Lords before the next patch lands.

Sinner's Road Survival Guide: I Got Bullied by Bugs and Found Styx

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:31:45 +0000

Ah, Sinner's Road. In 2026, I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about its water. This optional slice of upper Greymoor is Hollow Knight: Silksong's way of asking, 'Do you enjoy being miserable, or do you just tolerate it?' It is also an alternate route to Act Two, which means you can absolutely skip it. But where is the fun in that? Come with me, and let us get you from Greymoor to Bilewater without feeding every leech in the neighborhood.

What You Need Before You Suffer

Sinner's Road does not want you to be happy. It wants you to fall into leech water, lose your silk, and rethink your life choices. So pack like you mean it.

Tool	Why I Bring It
Cling Grip	Wall jumps and clinging are non-negotiable. Sinner's Road laughs at heroes who cannot hold on.
Faydown Cloak	The crucial tool for full exploration. Without it, you are just a tourist with a needle.
Clawline	Helpful for traversal, especially when the floor is lava, except the lava is leeches.
Drifter's Cloak	Shows up later for one very specific glide into a spike pit. Bring it if you have it.

Between you and me, if you are missing the Faydown Cloak, turn around. This area will still be here when you are stronger, and your controller does not deserve that kind of abuse.

Reaching Sinner's Road

First, hitch a ride to Greymoor on the Bellway. Once you arrive, exit the station and head into Greymoor. Scale the wall to your right, then exit at the top floor. Keep heading right until you reach a switch for an elevator. Jump on it, then ride it to the top.

Exit the elevator, then jump on top and head to the platforms on the right. Pogo off the floating balloon or use the Faydown Cloak, making your way to a series of platforms that go up. Follow the path up to the right, wall jumping until you find an entrance. Step inside, and welcome to the worst spa day of your life. ️

Exploring The Depths

Inside the first room of Sinner's Road, you will meet the area's most fearsome enemies: Muckroaches. They are aggressive, fast, and have a nasty grab attack. My best advice is to jump over them when they do their grapple, telegraphed by a roar, then slice them up. The Muckroaches have the emotional intelligence of a slammed door, so do not try to reason with them.

Before you leave, take note of the Green Prince locked in the cage. More on him later.

Make your way to the next room on the right, where you have a few options. I advise heading up first, so make your way up using wall jumps. Mind the floating enemy who chucks throwing stars at you. It is possible to swipe these right back at him, but otherwise dodging and jumping up to attack from below works great.

Make your way to the left, then jump up into the alcove. Inside, you will find a gap with a swinging spike ball. Double jump or pogo over, where you will find a bench and Shakra. Buy the map from her, then follow a good bench-fixing guide. Take a rest, then return outside. Shakra is the only reasonable adult in this nightmare, so appreciate her.

Return to where you fought the throwing star enemy, then head to the open door on the right. Try not to fall into the water here, as it is full of leeches that will consume your silk, making it impossible to use skills or heal. The leeches are tiny pickpockets with a grudge.

Make your way across, which is easier if you have come equipped with the proper traversal tools. Note the locked door at the far end, then proceed up, using the cages and spiked balls to pogo up.

Once you reach the top left platform, take a running leap to the right, then double jump and glide over. Enter the tent, where you can accept a quest to obtain ten Muckroach guts. The reward is a new offensive tool known as Tacks, which are quite handy. Return outside, then head back to the farthest left platform. Drop into the pathway, then unlock the door by hitting the switch underneath. This leads you back out to the main shaft.

Find Styx

Head all the way up, using the pogo and your double jump, then head into the top area. Open the path on the right, then head up. Make your way across the platforms, avoiding the big chain-wielding enemies and Muckroaches below.

Enter into the next area on the far right, which is a large vertical room that has rooms at the top and bottom. Let us go up first.

Kill the buzzing swordsman, then maneuver your way through a cramped corridor of spikes. Wall-jump along the safe locations, then duck into the path on your left. Follow that up, then engage with the mini-boss. He is strong but slow, so simply jumping over him and slicing him from behind works wonders. He will drop a small key, which you should hang on to for a moment.

Make your way back down, then all the way to the door on the bottom right. Leap across the gaps, finding your way to one that descends into a spike pit. Glide down with the Drifter's Cloak, taking note of two Muckroaches guarding an intriguing area. Take them out, then speak to the entity that appears. This is Styx, and he will grant you rewards over the course of the game as you come back. Finally, someone in this place who does not want to eat me.

Escape Into Bilewater

Now, it is time to make your way back to the area where the Green Prince was locked in a cage. Open the cage, then head directly to the right on the bottom path.

This is a perilous room, so be careful of both Muckroaches and flying swordsmen. Once you reach the end of the room, take the path down, then drop into the chamber below. At the bottom, you will find the Barbed Bracelet. This item will increase your damage output, but also increase damage taken. Once you have gotten that, you are ready to escape.

Return to the large vertical room, then find the middle exit. You will have to drop through a broken cage, but once you reach this, you will be able to exit into Bilewater and escape Sinner's Road. Congratulations, you survived. I am not saying I cried, but the bench and I had a moment.

Final Sinner's Road Tips

Do not panic in leech water. Panic costs silk. Silk costs healing. Healing costs dignity.
Pogo everything. Cages, spike balls, floating balloons, your own bad decisions. If it exists, bounce off it.
Buy the map from Shakra. Getting lost here is like being lost in a haunted filing cabinet.
Save the Green Prince for later. He is not going anywhere, and neither are the Muckroaches.
Grab Tacks and Barbed Bracelet. One makes you throw sharp things. The other makes everything sharper, including your own incoming damage.

And that is Sinner's Road in 2026: still rude, still damp, still full of bugs that want to wear your shell as a hat. Pack your Cling Grip, bring your Faydown Cloak, and remember: if you can survive this, you can survive anything Silksong throws at you next. Probably. Maybe. ...Okay, defini DealNest

Mastering Lace: The Ultimate Guide to Silksong's Cradle Boss

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:41:26 +0000

The world of Hollow Knight: Silksong is filled with relentless foes, but few inspire as much dread and respect as Lace. Ever since her first appearance in Deep Docks, she has served as Hornet's recurring rival, growing stronger with each encounter. Just when you think you've seen the last of her, she returns in The Cradle—the final stretch of the main story—with a ferocity that will test every ounce of your skill. This guide will walk you through locating this elusive boss and, more importantly, surviving her blistering assault.

Where to Find Lace in The Cradle

After defeating Lace in Deep Docks, many players assume her story is over. They couldn't be more wrong. To face her again, Hornet must push deep into the Citadel, navigating the treacherous Choral Chambers and overcoming the Cogwork Dancers at the very top. This victory opens three new objectives, each requiring you to retrieve a melody from a different corner of the Citadel. Once all three melodies are in hand, return to the arena where you fought the Cogwork Dancers and play them to activate the surrounding statues. This ancient mechanism awakens a giant elevator. Ride it to the top, and you'll step directly into Lace's waiting blade.

How to Beat Lace in The Cradle

Most boss fights in Silksong reward patience—wait for an opening, strike, retreat. Lace shatters that rhythm. She is a whirlwind of needles and motion, and if you try to wait out her combos, you'll be dead before you can blink. Her attacks chain together with barely a second between them, and she has a nasty parry mechanic that punishes idle aggression. The key is to learn her tells, stay mobile, and weave your own attacks into the narrow gaps of her offense.

Here's a breakdown of every attack in her arsenal:

Attack	Wind-Up Tells & Description	Suggested Counters
Slash Attack	Lace charges her needle, barely visible in her hand. She then swings it three times while advancing.	Move backwards if you have space, or jump and land a downward strike on her.
Jump Attack	She bends down with her needle near the ground, then leaps diagonally and dashes toward your position.	Wait for her to jump, then walk toward her. If far, dash to her. She may dash backwards if near a boundary.
Dash Attack	Lace holds her needle horizontally straight before dashing through the arena, dealing double damage.	Jump over her, and time a downward strike for extra damage.
Parry Counter	When idle, she may parry your attack, triggering an AoE from the ground or after a jump.	Avoid attacking an idle Lace. If you trigger a parry, jump immediately to dodge both AoE variants.
AoE Attack	Only in the final phase, she takes the Jump Attack stance while laughing, then creates a giant circle at your location, slams the ground, and stays briefly.	Exit the circle and wait. Since it happens twice, move far from the first circle to avoid the second.

The fight unfolds across three distinct phases, each marked by a roar. Sometimes a stun can overlap with the roar, so always expect new attacks whenever she is stunned. Here's what to anticipate:

Phase	Approximate Health Left	Changes From Last Phase
1	100%	Starts with the first four attacks.
2	60%	Jump and Dash attacks are buffed; gaps between attacks shrink.
3	20%	Unlocks the AoE Attack.

In phase two, her Jump Attack now spawns three rings that explode simultaneously with her dash, severely limiting your movement. Her Dash Attack can also chain up to three back-and-forth dashes instead of one. These buffs make the arena feel even more claustrophobic, especially since the field has gaps on each side—no wall clinging, no free movement.

Despite her relatively low HP compared to other late-game bosses, Lace remains the toughest battle due to the sheer agility required. Every action—attacking, healing—must happen mid-combo. The Jump Attack offers one of the best windows for a couple of hits. For healing, wait for the Dash Attack, jump as soon as she readies up, and immediately bind. This gives you enough time to finish the heal before her next move. You can also bait her parry: when she enters the stance after an attack, wait for it to end, then land a few hits before she recovers.

With practice, Lace's dance becomes predictable. Stay aggressive, respect her parry, and never stop moving. The Cradle may be the final challenge, but Hornet has faced worse. Victory awaits those who can match Lace's pace—and surpass it. ⚔️

That same mindset—learning a moveset, dying a few times, and coming back sharper—is what keeps this genre so rewarding, and it's also why players tend to build up a long wishlist of similar titles. If you find yourself wanting to chase that next difficult boss without paying full price, knowing where to buy cheap games makes it far easier to keep the backlog stocked.

DealNest gathers current discounts and key offers in one place, so instead of bouncing between storefronts you can compare prices and pick up the games that match the kind of challenge you just conquered. When the next patch or DLC drops, having a reliable source for deals means you can jump back in without waiting for a major sale.

Silksong's Nerfs: I'm Dying on the Moorwing and Sister Splinter Hill

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:54:10 +0000

In 2026, I am still trapped in a love/hate relationship with Hollow Knight: Silksong. I waited seven years for this sequel. I sharpened my needle, practiced my pogo, and convinced myself I would be ready. Then Pharloom looked at me, laughed, and threw a flying bug at my face. I adore Hollow Knight, but I know my skill gap. I never mastered those nightmarish pogo platforming sequences. I was relieved the hardest content was optional. Silksong, however, has me neck-deep in a first playthrough that feels like a gorgeous, punishing dance. The recent patch has nerfed two bosses, Moorwing and Sister Splinter, and I have opinions. I think those nerfs are largely inessential.

The Patch Notes Heard Round Pharloom

Team Cherry released a lengthy set of patch notes. Most changes are beneficial. They tune the game closer to what Team Cherry initially envisioned. Among them, two bosses received slight nerfs. Cue the community splitting like a Splinterbark under a charged slash. In any difficult game, especially one with Soulslike DNA, everyone has a take. The 112% Hollow Knight veterans say skill issue. The rest of us say please stop throwing three flying enemies into a tiny room. I am somewhere in the middle. I respect the challenge. I also respect my blood pressure.

Why Moorwing Did Not Need a Nerf

Moorwing is a wholly optional boss. You are not locked into an arena with it. If you do not want to fight it, you can simply walk away. That alone makes a nerf feel strange. Optional bosses are where developers can put the spicy stuff. They are the ghost peppers of game design. You do not have to eat them. If you do, you accept the burn.

Here is my evidence, presented with the confidence of someone who has been dive-bombed by a giant moth:

You can skip Moorwing. Progressing the Flea Caravan wish or quest can skip the fight. Moorwing does return later near the Greymoor Bellway, but that is a choice, not a cage.
You can cheese Moorwing. Ascend to the top of the area and downward-attack from a ledge. The beast cannot circumvent it. It is not elegant. It is effective. In Silksong, effective is a love language.
You can summon Garmond and Zaza. You can request aid against Moorwing. In my experience, they did not appear after I requested them when I had transitioned Moorwing to the Bellway-adjacent area and pursued the Flea quest. That was annoying, but it does not change the intent. Help exists.

So why nerf an optional boss that can be skipped, cheesed, or tag-teamed? I do not see it. If Moorwing was a mandatory gate, sure, tune it. But it is not. It is a test you can ignore. Nerfing it feels like removing a pepper from a dish nobody was forced to order.

Sister Splinter and the Splinterbark Problem

Sister Splinter is a different story. I found the only real obstacle in that fight to be the Splinterbarks. That is a pattern for me. I dislike many bosses that revolve around ads. Flying enemies are egregiously grating pests. They hover just outside your reach, they punish your jumps, and they make you feel like you are swatting at a wasp while a larger wasp throws furniture at you.

I am dying on the hill that flying enemies are pests. I am also dying on the hill that gank gauntlets lean too heavily on the first game's Colosseums. They are overtuned and excessive. Silksong's rosary economy is brutally impoverishing, though this patch mitigates that somewhat. Thank goodness. I was starting to think I needed a second job in Pharloom.

If anything had to be nerfed, I would prefer gauntlets had fewer waves. I would prefer fodder enemies did not take several hits to kill. They take two to three hits to kill me, including insidious contact damage. I despise contact damage in any 2D game. It is the cheapest form of disrespect. You do not even need to be attacked. You just need to exist near a bug. Congratulations, you have lost a mask.

What I Would Nerf Instead

Problem	My Nerf Wish	Reason
Gauntlet waves	Fewer waves	Endurance is not the same as difficulty
Fodder enemies	Die in fewer hits	Trash mobs should not feel like bosses
Contact damage	Reduce or remove	It punishes proximity, not mistakes
Rosary economy	Already touched	I like buying things without selling a kidney
Flying enemies	A stern talking-to	They know what they did

I do not expect these nerfs to strike Silksong's gameplay. I genuinely respect Team Cherry for having a certain level of challenge in mind. Some design choices, however, feel made to impede or frustrate me beyond anything else. There is a fine line between a hard game and a game that is hard because it keeps kicking you in the shins while you tie your shoes.

The Second Patch and the Endless Discourse

Interestingly, the patch notes declare that Team Cherry is already working on a second patch. That suggests more nerfs and/or buffs are coming. Each subsequent patch will divide the playerbase again. Some will call it redundant. Some will call it appreciated. Some will call it a betrayal of the vision. Some will call it Tuesday. In 2026, the discourse is still going. Silksong is not ruined. It is polarizing. It is difficult. It is beautiful. It is also occasionally a migraine with a soundtrack.

My love/hate relationship with Silksong is not going anywhere. I will keep playing. I will keep dying. I will keep muttering about Splinterbarks under my breath. But if I had to choose, I would leave Moorwing and Sister Splinter alone. Nerf the gauntlets. Nerf the contact damage. Nerf the feeling that every room is a personal insult. Let the optional bosses stay sharp. Let me walk away if I want to. And let me complain about it either way, because that is the true endgame.

If you are still on the fence about picking up Silksong, or you are eyeing a few metroidvanias to tide you over while the second patch cooks, it helps to know what you are actually paying before you commit. Prices swing wildly between storefronts, regional eShops, and key resellers, and the difference between a full-price impulse buy and a discounted pickup is often a few clicks. I have started running everything through a game price comparison site like DealNest before checkout, mostly because my backlog is already a game price comparison

Silksong Guide: How to Get the Scuttlebrace Tool and Use Its Spider-Like Retreat

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 05:54:42 +0000

In the expansive world of Hollow Knight: Silksong, players must explore every corner to find powerful tools that aid Hornet in her journey. One such tool, the Scuttlebrace, is a unique yellow tool that grants a rapid retreat ability, mimicking the movement of a spider. Available in the second Act, this tool can be a game-changer for those who master its mechanics. As of 2026, this guide remains accurate for players diving into Silksong's second Act. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of how to obtain the Scuttlebrace and what it does.

Location and Acquisition

The Scuttlebrace is found in the Twelfth Architect's Workshop, located in the Underworks. To reach it, players must first progress through the second Act and obtain the Clawline ability. Here is a step-by-step breakdown:

Reach the Citadel: After making your way through the Underworks, you will arrive in the Citadel. Head towards the left side of the map.
Find the Elevator: Locate the elevator that requires the White Key. Before using it, make your way to the top right part of the map, called Songclave.
Get the White Key: In Songclave, you will find the White Key and can ring the bell inside the First Shrine. This turns Songclave into a hub for NPCs and quest givers.
Descend to Whiteward: Return to the elevator and go down to reach Whiteward. Follow the main story path, which leads you to the eastern side of the Underworks to find the Clawline ability.
Return to the Underworks Bench: Once you have Clawline, make your way back to the bench in the Underworks. There, you will hear an NPC talking.
Reach the Workshop: Jump up and harpoon the grapple point, then dash right to enter the Twelfth Architect's Workshop.
Purchase the Tool: Talk to the NPC inside and purchase the Scuttlebrace for 140 Rosaries and 1 Craftmetal.

️ What Does the Scuttlebrace Do?

The Scuttlebrace is a yellow tool that enables Hornet to perform a rapid retreat, similar to a spider's scuttle. This maneuver is not just a simple dodge; it offers significant mobility advantages. When activated, Hornet can quickly move backward or in the direction she is facing, covering a considerable distance. Moreover, by holding down the button, Hornet can even walk on walls in this stance, allowing access to otherwise unreachable areas.

Controls:

Controller: Press RT/R2.
Keyboard: Press Down + C.

Tips for Using the Scuttlebrace

Exploration: Use the Scuttlebrace to reach hidden ledges and secret areas by scuttling up walls.
Combat: Quickly retreat from enemy attacks, especially bosses with fast lunges.
Platforming: Combine with Clawline and other movement abilities for advanced traversal.
Stamina Management: The Scuttlebrace does not consume Silk, so it can be used liberally.

Acquisition Summary

Detail	Information
Tool Type	Yellow
Location	Twelfth Architect's Workshop, Underworks
Cost	140 Rosaries + 1 Craftmetal
Prerequisite	Clawline ability, Act 2
Ability	Rapid retreat, wall walk

Conclusion

The Scuttlebrace is an essential tool for any player looking to enhance Hornet's mobility in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Its unique spider-like retreat opens up new avenues for exploration and combat. By following the steps outlined above, you can add this versatile tool to your arsenal and truly master the art of the scuttle. Whether you're dodging attacks or scaling walls, the Scuttlebrace is a worthy investment for your journey through the Citadel and beyond.

Once you've mastered the Scuttlebrace and are ready to see what else the genre has to offer, keeping an eye on your gaming budget can be just as useful as nailing a wall-scuttle. Whether you're waiting for a discount on Hollow Knight: Silksong itself or hunting for your next Metroidvania fix, a reliable steam deal finder can help you spot price drops without refreshing store pages manually.

DealNest is built for exactly that kind of browsing, gathering current Steam discounts in one place so you can compare and decide when to buy. It won't teach you Hornet's controls, but it can make expanding your library after Pharloom a little easier on the wallet.

My Epic Quest for Silk Soar: Unlocking the Super Jump in Silksong

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 05:48:06 +0000

I still remember the first time I stared up at a seemingly unreachable ledge in Hollow Knight: Silksong. The Abyss loomed above me, its dark tendrils mocking my feeble jumps. I had no idea that the key to breaking free lay in an Ancestral Art called Silk Soar—the Super Jump that would change everything. After hours of exploration, countless deaths, and a few choice words at my screen, I finally claimed it. Let me walk you through exactly how I unlocked Silk Soar in Silksong, so you don't have to suffer as much as I did.

The Long Road to Act 3

Before you even think about getting Silk Soar, you need to unlock Act 3 and reach the Abyss. And let me tell you, that's no small feat. The game doesn't just hand you the keys. You have to earn it.

Here's what I had to do:

Complete quests in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and the Songclave Wishwall. These aren't just busywork; they weave into the story and open the path forward.
Collect at least 25 Fleas. Yes, 25! Those little critters are scattered everywhere, and you'll need to bring them to the Flea Caravan.
Get the Flea Caravan to move three times until it reaches the Putrified Ducts. That's right—three times. Each move unlocks new areas and eventually the Abyss.

I spent a good chunk of my playthrough hunting fleas. It felt like a game of hide-and-seek with a bunch of hyperactive insects. But trust me, it's worth it.

Descending into the Abyss

Once Act 3 is active, head to the Abyss. This place is no joke—it's dark, filled with void monsters, and the platforming is brutal. But the Silk Soar is impossible to miss because you literally need it to escape. If you find yourself stuck down there (like I did for an embarrassing amount of time), here's the route:

From the southern bench, head right into the void monster-infested area. Jump, glide, hook, and sprint your way to the right. Keep going until you hit a wall that you can climb up. Hook onto that wall, then go left a little to find some ground and gain height. Keep pushing upward until the right wall blocks you. Then cross to the left and hang onto the left wall. Now, hook onto the black bubbles—they'll boost you up. Aim right, and soon you'll see a door that requires the Needolin song. Use the Needolin to open the gate, then continue descending until you finally reach the Silk Soar skill.

I can't tell you how many times I fell into the void. The Abyss is like that one friend who keeps pranking you—relentless but ultimately teaching you something.

How to Use Silk Soar (Super Jump)

Once you grab Silk Soar, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Here's the control scheme:

Platform	Input
PC	Hold Down Arrow + S
Xbox	Hold LT
PlayStation	Hold L2

The skill needs a short charge time, so you can't just spam it while enemies are chasing you. You have to find a safe moment, hold the buttons, and then release. Hornet will soar far up, reaching heights and distances that were previously impossible. It's an absolute game-changer for exploration.

The first time I used it, I felt like I'd been given wings. The charge-up adds a bit of tension, but when you release and Hornet launches skyward, it's pure satisfaction.

Escaping the Cave and Beyond

After you obtain Silk Soar, the game immediately forces you to use it to escape the cave. It's a brilliant design choice—you get to experience your new power in a high-stakes situation. I barely made it out, but the rush was incredible.

Since unlocking Silk Soar, I've been able to access hidden areas, reach new benches, and even find some secret bosses. It's not just a mobility upgrade; it's a key that unlocks the rest of the map. As of 2026, this skill remains one of the most essential abilities in Silksong. If you're struggling to get it, take a deep breath, follow the steps, and don't give up. The Abyss may be dark, but Silk Soar is your light.

Happy soaring! ️✨

While you're still riding the high of Silk Soar, it's tempting to dive straight into another metroidvania—or finally pick up a title you've had your eye on. If you're planning your next purchase, DealNest is worth a look: it's a handy game price tracker that collects discounts from different storefronts so you don't have to hop between tabs.

I've started using it to keep an eye on sales for games I'm curious about, and it's been a quiet little time-saver. Whether you're waiting for a price drop or just want to know when a deal pops up, DealNest keeps things simple—so you can spend less time hunting prices and more time actually playing.

Hornet vs The Knight: Why Silksong's Hero Outshines the Silent Vessel

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:57:21 +0000

In the sprawling, insectoid world of Hollow Knight, a small, silent knight once captured the hearts of millions. But now, in 2026, the spotlight has shifted to a different hero: Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest, who takes center stage in Hollow Knight: Silksong. With her taller frame, sharper cloak, and deadly needle, Hornet is undeniably a different beast. But does that make her a better protagonist than The Knight? Not necessarily—yet she possesses a suite of abilities that The Knight could only dream of. From chatting with NPCs to gliding through the air, Hornet proves that being a short king isn't the only way to rule.

The Gift of Gab ️

One of the most striking differences between the two protagonists is Hornet's ability to speak. The Knight was a silent vessel, reacting to the world with nothing more than a blank stare and the occasional grunt. Hornet, however, engages in full conversations with the bugs of Pharloom. This narrative shift makes the story more engaging, as players can finally hear their hero's thoughts and respond to the quirky cast of characters. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually talk back to a cryptic NPC? Hornet does it with grace and wit, turning every interaction into a memorable exchange. This change echoes other sequels like Dead Space 2 and Jak 2, where a talking protagonist added depth to the narrative.

Death Becomes Her

When The Knight died in Hollow Knight, they left behind a Shade—a ghostly remnant that players had to defeat to reclaim their Geo. It was a classic corpse run, but a punishing one. Hornet, in contrast, handles death with far more finesse. Instead of leaving a Shade, she seals her valuables in a silk cocoon and retreats to fight another day. This ability, born from her mastery of Silk, demonstrates her grace and cunning. It's a headcanon-friendly explanation for how she survives countless battles: she doesn't die, she simply withdraws. The Knight could never boast such elegance.

Run, Hornet, Run! ‍♀️

Traversal is a staple of the Metroidvania genre, and both games excel at it. The Knight can dash, but he never learns to run. Hornet, however, unlocks the Swift Step skill, and if players hold down the dash button, she breaks into a full sprint. There are even Trinkets to boost her running speed. In a foot race between the two, Hornet would leave The Knight in the dust. It's a small but significant upgrade that makes exploring Pharloom a breeze.

Gliding on Air ️

Remember Princess Peach's float in Super Mario Bros. 2? Hornet has a similar trick. In the Far Fields, she can obtain the Drifter's Cloak, which lets her float indefinitely and catch air streams to rocket upward. The Knight's closest equivalent is the Crystal Heart, a jet-like dash that propels him forward. While both are cool, Hornet's gliding feels more graceful and opens up new exploration possibilities. Wouldn't it have been amazing if The Knight could glide through Hallownest? Alas, that was not to be.

The Needolin: Music to Your Ears

The Knight's Nail is a tool for combat, pure and simple. Hornet's Needle, on the other hand, becomes a musical instrument. With the Needolin upgrade, she can play her Needle like a harp to open song-sealed doors. But that's not all—certain NPCs will sing along, and even corpses can reveal ghosts through melody. The Knight could communicate with dreams, but he could never turn his weapon into a guitar. This creative twist adds a layer of charm and mystery to Silksong's world.

Taunt Like You Mean It

Here's a secret that many players miss: Hornet can taunt enemies by clicking the right thumbstick (on Switch 2, for example). This uses a bit of Silk, but in return, enemies are drawn toward her. This aggro-drawing ability is perfect for luring foes into traps, a tactic The Knight could never employ. Taunting adds a strategic layer to combat, and it's a technique more games should adopt.

Clawline: Grappling with Greatness

Finally, the Clawline is one of Hornet's most versatile upgrades. It propels her forward like an extra dash and lets her cling to ring-shaped ornaments in the environment. The Knight has no grappling hook of any kind. This ability alone gives Hornet a significant edge in mobility, allowing her to reach areas and escape dangers that would leave The Knight stumped.

The Verdict: Who Wins?

Even though The Knight emerged victorious in their original encounter (he was the protagonist, after all), the tables might turn if they fought without player input. Hornet's new talents—talking, cocooning, running, gliding, music-making, taunting, and grappling—could finally give her the strength to best The Knight in all his silent glory. But does that mean she's a better character? That's for players to decide. One thing is certain: Hornet has proven that she's more than just a side character. She's a force of nature, and Hollow Knight: Silksong is her time to shine.

Here's a quick comparison of their abilities:

Ability	The Knight	Hornet
Speech	Silent	Conversational
Death Mechanic	Leaves Shade	Seals cocoon
Running	No	Yes (Swift Step)
Gliding	No (Crystal Heart dash)	Yes (Drifter's Cloak)
Musical Weapon	No	Yes (Needolin)
Taunt	No	Yes (Silk taunt)
Grappling Hook	No	Yes (Clawline)

So, who do you think is the ultimate protagonist? The silent knight who started it all, or the graceful huntress who took up the mantle? In 2026, as players continue to explore Pharloom, Hornet's legend only grows. And perhaps, just perhaps, she has finally earned the title of "short king" in her own right—though she's not so short anymore.

Debates like this one have a way of spilling out of the game and into group chats, forums, and late-night Discord threads—which is part of the fun. If you're the type of player who likes to back up your hot takes with first-hand experience, it helps to actually own the games being argued about. The original Hollow Knight and Silksong both go on sale fairly often, and other metroidvanias like Ori, Blasphemous, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown regularly see deep discounts too, ma DealNest

How I Finally Reached Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 03:53:23 +0000

Prerequisites for the Quest

Relocating the Fleas

Settle Down In Your Bellhome

Cleaning Up

These were the tasks I completed before the Silk and Soul quest appeared. I recommend doing them whether they are strictly required or not:

Grab a Simple Key from Bone Bottom, Songclave, or the Sands of Karak. Use it on the Green Prince's cage in Sinner's Road.
Find all three cogheart pieces around the Citadel. Restore the sentinel, then take him down in the High Halls area.
Explore Weavenest Atla and speak to Eva.
Explore as much of the map as possible, buy all maps from Shakra, and finish the Trail's End quest.

After that, I spoke to the Caretaker in Songclave, and the Silk and Soul quest finally appeared.

Constructing the Trap

The quest asks for 4 important items. Order does not matter, and you may already have one. However, the Maiden and the Hermit will not give you their parts until the quest is active.

Item	Location	Notes
Seeker's Soul	Putrified Ducts, via Bilewater	Beat Groal the Great, then enter the hut
Maiden's Soul	Far right of Bone Bottom, above Moss Grotto	Speak with her
Hermit's Soul	Bellway Station in Bellhart	Hidden wall below platforms, right side
Snare Setter	Weavenest Atla	Through Needolin door, hidden ceiling room

The Seeker's Soul

The Maiden's Soul

The Hermit's Soul

The Snare Setter

Laying The Trap

Elden Ring Nightreign Patch 1.03.1 Expands Deep of Night and Fixes Hundreds of Bugs

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 03:25:16 +0000

Deep of Night Gets More Dangerous for DLC Owners

Feature	What Changed
New DLC content	New targets, Landmarks, raid events, and Shifting Earth in Deep of Night
Matchmaking	DLC additions only appear with other DLC owners
Great Hollow curses	Increased elemental curse effects and adjusted HP loss/recovery curses
Night Aspect	Extra attack types when all Nightfarers own the DLC

Balance Tweaks and Quality-of-Life Wins ️

A Mountain of Bug Fixes

Boss and Raid Event Repairs ⚔️

Great Hollow Shifting Earth, Menus, and More ️

FromSoftware also addressed the Unity Technologies security vulnerability announced steam sale tracker

Silksong's Nerfs: I'm Dying on the Moorwing and Sister Splinter Hill

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 23:30:41 +0000

The Patch Notes Heard Round Pharloom

Why Moorwing Did Not Need a Nerf

Here is my evidence, presented with the confidence of someone who has been dive-bombed by a giant moth:

You can skip Moorwing. Progressing the Flea Caravan wish or quest can skip the fight. Moorwing does return later near the Greymoor Bellway, but that is a choice, not a cage.
You can cheese Moorwing. Ascend to the top of the area and downward-attack from a ledge. The beast cannot circumvent it. It is not elegant. It is effective. In Silksong, effective is a love language.
You can summon Garmond and Zaza. You can request aid against Moorwing. In my experience, they did not appear after I requested them when I had transitioned Moorwing to the Bellway-adjacent area and pursued the Flea quest. That was annoying, but it does not change the intent. Help exists.

Sister Splinter and the Splinterbark Problem

What I Would Nerf Instead

Problem	My Nerf Wish	Reason
Gauntlet waves	Fewer waves	Endurance is not the same as difficulty
Fodder enemies	Die in fewer hits	Trash mobs should not feel like bosses
Contact damage	Reduce or remove	It punishes proximity, not mistakes
Rosary economy	Already touched	I like buying things without selling a kidney
Flying enemies	A stern talking-to	They know what they did

The Second Patch and the Endless Discourse

How I Accidentally Locked Myself Out of Silksong's Best Co-Op Boss Fight

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:37:29 +0000

The Moorwing Fight: A Co-Op Dream Come True

Two Decisions, One Locked Door

A Bittersweet Metroidvania Experience

Here's a quick summary of what happened, in case you want to avoid my fate:

Decision	Consequence
Left the Moorwing fight to explore	Boss remained available until...
Relocated the flea caravan	Caravan parked on the battlefield, locking me out
Result	Missed the co-op fight, may have to fight solo later

And a few tips for fellow travelers:

If you want to fight Moorwing with Garmond and Zaza, do it before relocating the flea caravan.
️ Explore Greymoor thoroughly before making any caravan decisions.
Co-op fights are rare and precious—don't walk away from them lightly.

I'm still holding out hope for a rematch. Maybe in a future act, Garmond and Zaza will ride again. Until then, I'll keep exploring Pharloom, one mistake at a time. You know how it goes.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Map Guide - All 28 Maps and How to Get Them

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:59:04 +0000

Hey there, fellow wanderer! Have you ever found yourself lost in the twisting corridors of Pharloom, wishing you had a map? I know I have. In Hollow Knight: Silksong, there are 28 maps to collect, and let me tell you, they make all the difference. Whether you're buying from Shakra or hunting down hidden devices, this guide will help you become a master cartographer. So, grab your needle, and let's dive in!

First things first: Shakra. She's that fierce warrior you'll hear singing or see leaving a trail of Throwing Rings. You can buy half the maps from her. But from Act 2 onward, you'll also find maps by interacting with strange devices or picking them up in map rooms. If you're short on Rosaries when you first meet her, don't worry—you can always buy the map later when you run into her again. Just be prepared to navigate without one for a while, which can be tricky!

Now, let's break down all 28 maps. I've organized them into a handy table so you can quickly find what you need. Remember, the prices are in Rosaries, and the locations are relative to landmarks like benches or Bellways.

Map	How to Obtain	Cost (Rosaries)	Location
Bone Bottom	Buy from Shakra	40	NW part of The Marrow
The Marrow	Buy from Shakra	50	Near bench in NW part
Deep Docks	Buy from Shakra	50	East of Deep Docks Bellway
Far Fields	Buy from Shakra	50	Cave SW of Far Fields Bellway
Wormways	Buy from Shakra	70	East side, upper path from Moss Grotto
Hunter's March	Buy from Shakra	70	East side, east of path down to Deep Docks
Greymoor	Buy from Shakra	70	Eastern part, west of Craw Lake
Verdania	Find on bug corpse	-	Small camp in SE part
Bellhart	Buy from Shakra	40	Lower Shellwood, beneath Greyroot's hut
Shellwood	Buy from Shakra	70	Lower part, beneath Greyroot's hut
Blasted Steps	Buy from Shakra	70	Eastern part
Sinner's Road	Buy from Shakra	90	Near bench on NW side of central shaft
The Slab	Find on bug corpse	-	Cell east of bench in center
Mount Fay	Buy from Shakra	40	Near bench in lowest part, near path to The Slab
Sands of Karak	Buy from Shakra	90	Chamber on western side of central shaft
Bilewater	Buy from Shakra	90	Center, NE of Bilewater Bellway
Weavenest Atla	Inspect device	-	NE part; head right from Needolin door, break two glowing orbs, inspect device in left chamber
Grand Gate	Inspect machine	40	Central part
Underworks	Interact with map	-	Small chamber on western side of central shaft, above first bench
Whiteward	Inspect machine	70	Area south of only bench
Choral Chambers	Inspect machine	70	Area east of Grand Bellway
High Halls	Inspect machine	70	Area east of path up from Choral Chambers
Whispering Vaults	Inspect machine	70	Hidden chamber at top of central shaft
Cogwork Core	Step on button	-	Hidden area above foldable bench, beneath NW passageway into Choral Chambers
Memorium	Inspect machine	70	Map room in SE part
Putrified Ducts	Inspect table	-	Room on west side of central shaft, SW of Putrified Ducts Bellway
The Cradle	Inspect machine	70	Alcove on west side
The Abyss	Inspect device	-	Secret area above bench in lowest part

As you can see, Shakra is your go-to for many maps, but you'll also need to keep an eye out for other opportunities. I remember the first time I found a map on a bug corpse—I was so surprised! It just goes to show that exploration always pays off.

A few tips from my own journey: Always buy maps when you can, because backtracking without one is a nightmare. Also, keep an eye out for glowing devices and bug corpses—they often hold maps. And don't forget the Cartographer achievement! Collecting all 28 maps will reward you with that shiny trophy.

Now, let's talk about the Act 2 shift. In the first act, you rely heavily on Shakra. But once you hit Act 2, you'll start finding maps in map rooms or from strange devices. It's a nice change of pace, and it encourages you to explore every nook and cranny. Have you ever stumbled upon a map machine by accident? I know I have, and it felt like winning the lottery!

One thing to keep in mind: some maps, like the Weavenest Atla map, require a bit of puzzle-solving. You'll need to break glowing orbs and inspect devices. Others, like the Cogwork Core map, just need you to step on a hidden button. It's always a good idea to poke around every corner.

So, there you have it. With this guide, you'll never be lost in Pharloom again. Happy mapping, and may your journey be filled with discovery! And remember, if you ever feel overwhelmed, just take a deep breath and ask yourself: what would Shakra do? Probably sing and throw rings, but you get the idea.

Once you've charted every corner of Pharloom, you might find yourself craving another world to explore. Whether you're eyeing a new Metroidvania or revisiting an old favorite, keeping track of sales across different storefronts can be a chore. That's exactly why I started using a game price comparison tool—it saves me from missing out on good deals.

DealNest is one of those sites that makes the hunt almost as satisfying as finding a hidden map. It aggregates prices from multiple retailers, so you can see at a glance where a game is cheapest. If you're planning your next purchase after Silksong, give it a look.

Mister Mushroom Returns: All 7 Locations In Hollow Knight: Silksong

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:04:13 +0000

The Poem Unravelled

Moss Grotto

Bone Bottom

Fortunately, he does not travel far this time. He appears on the little platform above Bone Bottom itself, the exact spot where Shakra once peddled her maps. Chat, listen, and wave goodbye.

Far Fields

Greymoor

The Slab

Mount Fay

The Cradle & The Ultimate Ascent

Location	Hint From The Poem	Difficulty
Putrified Ducts	Hidden tablet	Easy
Moss Grotto	Fungal ground	Easy
Bone Bottom	Above town	Easy
Far Fields	Scorched Field	Medium
Greymoor	Towers spinning	Medium
The Slab	Cages	Hard
Mount Fay	Fell heart of frost	Medium
The Cradle	The final climb	Brutal

Af game price tracker

My Abyss Survival Guide in Silksong: Map, Entry, and Escape

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:38:14 +0000

Finding the Abyss Map

How to Reach the Abyss

How to Escape the Abyss

Final Thoughts

Sinner's Road Survival Guide: I Got Bullied by Bugs and Found Styx

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:03:42 +0000

What You Need Before You Suffer

Sinner's Road does not want you to be happy. It wants you to fall into leech water, lose your silk, and rethink your life choices. So pack like you mean it.

Tool	Why I Bring It
Cling Grip	Wall jumps and clinging are non-negotiable. Sinner's Road laughs at heroes who cannot hold on.
Faydown Cloak	The crucial tool for full exploration. Without it, you are just a tourist with a needle.
Clawline	Helpful for traversal, especially when the floor is lava, except the lava is leeches.
Drifter's Cloak	Shows up later for one very specific glide into a spike pit. Bring it if you have it.

Between you and me, if you are missing the Faydown Cloak, turn around. This area will still be here when you are stronger, and your controller does not deserve that kind of abuse.

Reaching Sinner's Road

Exploring The Depths

Before you leave, take note of the Green Prince locked in the cage. More on him later.

Make your way across, which is easier if you have come equipped with the proper traversal tools. Note the locked door at the far end, then proceed up, using the cages and spiked balls to pogo up.

Find Styx

Enter into the next area on the far right, which is a large vertical room that has rooms at the top and bottom. Let us go up first.

Escape Into Bilewater

Now, it is time to make your way back to the area where the Green Prince was locked in a cage. Open the cage, then head directly to the right on the bottom path.

Final Sinner's Road Tips

Do not panic in leech water. Panic costs silk. Silk costs healing. Healing costs dignity.
Pogo everything. Cages, spike balls, floating balloons, your own bad decisions. If it exists, bounce off it.
Buy the map from Shakra. Getting lost here is like being lost in a haunted filing cabinet.
Save the Green Prince for later. He is not going anywhere, and neither are the Muckroaches.
Grab Tacks and Barbed Bracelet. One makes you throw sharp things. The other makes everything sharper, including your own incoming damage.

My Epic Quest for Silk Soar: Unlocking the Super Jump in Silksong

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:33:59 +0000

The Long Road to Act 3

Before you even think about getting Silk Soar, you need to unlock Act 3 and reach the Abyss. And let me tell you, that's no small feat. The game doesn't just hand you the keys. You have to earn it.

Here's what I had to do:

Complete quests in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and the Songclave Wishwall. These aren't just busywork; they weave into the story and open the path forward.
Collect at least 25 Fleas. Yes, 25! Those little critters are scattered everywhere, and you'll need to bring them to the Flea Caravan.
Get the Flea Caravan to move three times until it reaches the Putrified Ducts. That's right—three times. Each move unlocks new areas and eventually the Abyss.

I spent a good chunk of my playthrough hunting fleas. It felt like a game of hide-and-seek with a bunch of hyperactive insects. But trust me, it's worth it.

Descending into the Abyss

I can't tell you how many times I fell into the void. The Abyss is like that one friend who keeps pranking you—relentless but ultimately teaching you something.

How to Use Silk Soar (Super Jump)

Once you grab Silk Soar, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Here's the control scheme:

Platform	Input
PC	Hold Down Arrow + S
Xbox	Hold LT
PlayStation	Hold L2

The first time I used it, I felt like I'd been given wings. The charge-up adds a bit of tension, but when you release and Hornet launches skyward, it's pure satisfaction.

Escaping the Cave and Beyond

Happy soaring! ️✨

Lifting the Silken Curse: My Journey Through Bellhart in Silksong

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:12:00 +0000

As a seasoned Hollow Knight veteran, I dove into Hollow Knight: Silksong expecting a challenge. But nothing prepared me for the eerie sight of Bellhart, where every resident and pilgrim bug was strung up by silken threads. ️ My attacks did nothing to free them, and my quest log updated with a clear directive: free the citizens from the Silken Curse. This is the story of how I found the culprit, defeated a terrifying boss, and restored the town to its former glory.

Prerequisites for the Curse Quest

Before you can even think about breaking the curse, you need to meet a few requirements. Trust me, I learned this the hard way after wandering around aimlessly.

Travel to Greymoor: You can get there via the traveling Flea Caravan after completing their lost fleas quest, or by traversing from the bottom pathway.
Speak to the Bell Hermit: In the bell beast pathway, break the right wall and head downward to find the hermit, who gives you crucial information.
Have the Shellwood Map: At least partially filled out. This helps with navigation.
Unlock Cling Grab: You'll find this ability in Shellwood. It's essential for scaling walls later.

Oh, and here's a fun easter egg: if you rest on the bench in Bellhart and exit the game, when you return, Hornet will be strung up too! But don't worry, you can attack to break free.

How to Traverse Above Bellhart

Once you're ready, you need to find a path from Shellwood back into Bellhart and then destroy your way into the ceiling tunnels above the town. This is where the Cling Grab ability shines. You'll be scaling walls, avoiding bell bugs, and breaking through bell barriers.

I started at the map location nearest the bench on the upper left pathway. From there, I parkoured from left to right onto the next path where the lake begins. Make sure you take the top path – the second path won't get you into Bellhart from above. After passing the lake, I maneuvered upwards using Cling Grab onto a platform with bells at its entrance. Enter and start breaking down the bell barriers to clear a long tunnel until you reach a new map piece in the upper levels of Bellhart.

As I moved through the tunnels, I killed any bell bug enemies along the way. The path down contains large flying bell bugs. You can hit them from the platform, or do what I did: wait for them to fly up, then lay traps to catch them on the way down. This made descending much easier.

Then I traversed downward through another shaft. This time there were two. Instead of traps, I waited until the two enemies met each other before jumping down and swiftly running into the nearest left path. Continuing left, I came to an opening in the ground and jumped in. I healed up, then dropped into a new room covered in clumps of threads. That's when I triggered a dialogue cutscene with the Weaver behind the Silkspun curse: Widow. After she finished talking, I was plunged into a boss fight.

Boss Fight: Widow

Preparations

Before the fight, I made sure to equip the right tools. Here's what I recommend:

Ability: Silkspear – This slices through Widow's silk traps easier. Use it sparingly to save silk for healing.
Crest: Reaper Crest – Restores silk quickly, allowing more Silkspear uses. Combined with Druid's Eye, you get a minor stack of silk replenishment.
Tools:
Fractured Mask: Shields against critical damage but shatters on impact.
Druid's Eye: Replenishes silk upon getting attacked.
Sting Shard: Lethal trap of tightly bound blades that pierces enemies.
Flea Brew: Temporarily increases movement and attack speed.
Pollip Pouch: Applies poison to equipped tools.

Phase 1

Widow shrieked to begin the fight, and immediately her hand glowed as she lunged at Hornet. This is a grab attack – I jumped over her and glided or swift-stepped out of reach. I followed the boss and whacked her with a downward pogo strike before she disappeared temporarily to the side of the wall. She reappeared crouch-walking and dispensing threads across the screen. I moved to the wall and avoided the threads as they yanked up bells from below.

Bells erupted from the ground, pushing Hornet up and dealing two masks of damage if hit. I simply jumped when I saw the ground moving and glided in the air until it returned to normal. Widow pulled on threads to fire bells from the ceiling at Hornet. This was my chance to attack, as she wouldn't move from her spot for a few minutes before repeating her earlier attacks. Once she was staggered, I unleashed as many heavy attacks with my needle as possible until Phase 2 began.

Phase 2

In Phase 2, Widow sent a barrage of bells and debris down on Hornet. I kept to the left, or if I was confident, went straight to Widow and attacked, preparing to jump over her. During this phase, Widow dispensed thick threads across the arena. I used Silkspear to slash through multiple at once, saving time and damaging Widow in the process. Most of her attack patterns remained the same, but patience was key when waiting for an opening – the bells caused more health loss than intended if I wasn't careful.

I needed to stagger Widow twice more before Hornet grabbed onto her from above. Once the prompt to bind appeared, I quickly pressed down to end the fight. I obtained a piece of silk weaver lore and the new silk ability, the Needolin.

Silken Curse Lifted

With the curse lifted, I continued back downwards and re-entered Bellhart to meet the bugs I rescued, along with some returning characters. The town felt alive again!

Shakra's Return: Shakra asked if Hornet was responsible for lifting the curse, then commented on my accomplishments. Her shop inventory is now ready for map-making essentials.
Pavo: The official welcomer of Bellhart has a wish on the board for donations to restore the area. They praised Hornet and now accept new pilgrims while watching the town's revival.
Frey: A shopkeeper who hid in their shop and devoured most of their stock. They won't open until you find their lost courier. Complete the request to access the shop.
this price tracking tool

Silksong Guide: How to Get the Scuttlebrace Tool and Use Its Spider-Like Retreat

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 14:38:21 +0000

Location and Acquisition

Reach the Citadel: After making your way through the Underworks, you will arrive in the Citadel. Head towards the left side of the map.
Find the Elevator: Locate the elevator that requires the White Key. Before using it, make your way to the top right part of the map, called Songclave.
Get the White Key: In Songclave, you will find the White Key and can ring the bell inside the First Shrine. This turns Songclave into a hub for NPCs and quest givers.
Descend to Whiteward: Return to the elevator and go down to reach Whiteward. Follow the main story path, which leads you to the eastern side of the Underworks to find the Clawline ability.
Return to the Underworks Bench: Once you have Clawline, make your way back to the bench in the Underworks. There, you will hear an NPC talking.
Reach the Workshop: Jump up and harpoon the grapple point, then dash right to enter the Twelfth Architect's Workshop.
Purchase the Tool: Talk to the NPC inside and purchase the Scuttlebrace for 140 Rosaries and 1 Craftmetal.

️ What Does the Scuttlebrace Do?

Controls:

Controller: Press RT/R2.
Keyboard: Press Down + C.

Tips for Using the Scuttlebrace

Exploration: Use the Scuttlebrace to reach hidden ledges and secret areas by scuttling up walls.
Combat: Quickly retreat from enemy attacks, especially bosses with fast lunges.
Platforming: Combine with Clawline and other movement abilities for advanced traversal.
Stamina Management: The Scuttlebrace does not consume Silk, so it can be used liberally.

Acquisition Summary

Detail	Information
Tool Type	Yellow
Location	Twelfth Architect's Workshop, Underworks
Cost	140 Rosaries + 1 Craftmetal
Prerequisite	Clawline ability, Act 2
Ability	Rapid retreat, wall walk

Conclusion

Hollow Knight: Silksong's PlayStation Platinum Is Missing Two Brutal Trophies

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 08:37:49 +0000

As someone who has thrown myself against Hollow Knight: Silksong's bosses more times than I care to admit, I almost dropped my controller when I saw the trophy comparisons this week. The PlayStation version is effectively a lighthouse with its two most blinding lamps unscrewed: it is missing both the Steel Soul and Steel Heart trophies, which Steam and Xbox players are forced to earn for 100 percent completion.

Let's be honest about Silksong itself. The original Hollow Knight had tough spikes, but Silksong behaves like that from the moment the first screen loads and never really releases the pressure. I have watched friends who breezed through the first game get flattened by Pharloom's early encounters, and the curve barely flattens after that. A normal playthrough already asks for pin-point timing, resource management, and patience that borders on meditation.

Steel Soul mode, which returns from the first game as an unlockable extra after clearing the game or by using a recently discovered cheat code, removes the safety net entirely: one death and the run is over. It is like trying to thread a needle while falling through a silk storm, a cruel demand for a game this precise. And then there is Steel Heart, which asks you to 100 percent the entire game under that same no-death rule. I still cannot say that name without flinching.

Earlier this week, reports noted that skilled PlayStation players managed the platinum even though the game had not been out for a full week. When I inspected the trophy list for myself, the absence became obvious. Steam and Xbox players need to beat the game in Steel Soul mode for one achievement, then 100 percent the entire game in Steel Soul mode for another. That second one is the kind of request that makes me whisper 'Dear god, no' into an empty room. PlayStation players, however, do not have those two trophies at all. The game mode still exists on Sony's console, but completing it only grants bragging rights, not a shiny digital trophy.

The comparison looks like this:

Platform	Steel Soul trophy	Steel Heart trophy	Platinum difficulty
PlayStation	No	No	Much easier
Steam	Yes	Yes	Brutal
Xbox	Yes	Yes	Brutal

This explains why skilled PlayStation players were able to grab the platinum within days of release, before most of us had even stopped mistiming Hornet's down-slash. On Steam and Xbox, a full achievement completion is still a frozen waterfall being climbed with buttered gloves, but on PlayStation that waterfall conveniently ends before the final ice wall. In 2026, that difference matters even more because trophy hunting has become its own competitive side of the Silksong community, and Sony players now have a considerably shorter route to the top.

For me, the situation is bittersweet. I like that more players will experience the platinum without needing to treat Silksong as a second job, but I also know that Steel Soul runs are where the game's knife-edge combat truly sharpens into something unforgettable. The original Hollow Knight had a similar split, with some platform trophy lists feeling like they had their teeth pulled, and history has repeated itself here.

If you simply want every trophy in Silksong, the PlayStation version is the clear route. If you want to prove something to yourself, both Steel Soul and Steel Heart are still waiting in the shadows on every platform, even if Sony will not hand you a trophy for surviving them.

Whether you pick up Silksong on PlayStation for the friendlier trophy list or on Steam and Xbox for the full Steel Soul gauntlet, the platform decision tends to come down to more than achievements alone. Most people juggle a handful of stores at once, and the same copy of the game can sit at noticeably different prices depending on where and when you look, especially once sales start rotating through the season.

That is roughly where DealNest becomes useful. Instead of opening a dozen tabs and jotting numbers down on a scrap of paper, you can compare prices here and see what each storefront is charging before you commit. It is a small step, but it keeps the money side of the hobby as uncomplicated as the PlayStation trophy list, leaving you free to worry about the part that actually hurts: Hornet's down-slash timing.

Conquering High Halls: A Pilgrim's Guide to Silksong's Deadliest Gauntlet

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 06:20:57 +0000

The pilgrim had heard the stories long before she ever laid eyes on the golden rings of High Halls. Every hall in Pharloom carries a song, the old travelers said, and the High Halls carry the cruelest one of all — a melody stitched together from spinning rings, spike-filled shafts, and an eleven-wave slaughter that has broken more wanderers than any crowned boss ever managed. In a kingdom of twenty-eight biomes, this one, hidden above the Choral Chambers, remains the place where ambition goes to die.

But she was stubborn, and stubbornness, in Pharloom, is a kind of currency.

The Long Road to the Golden Rings

Before the pilgrim could even think about stepping inside, she needed the Clawline — a tool she could only claim in the Underworks, the grim industrial sprawl that opens up after Trobbio falls. That alone took her longer than she cared to admit. Once the hook was finally hers, the path revealed itself at the top left of the Choral Chambers. Those who have not yet unlocked the route can find it by passing through the Cogwork Dancers' arena and pressing left until a lonely bench appears at the very edge of the map.

To the right of that bench hangs a ring. She leapt, hooked, and rose. More rings followed, some of them willing to carry her upward like patient elevators. The entrance to High Halls waited on the right — and it was only the beginning.

Dancing With Rotating Rings

Her first steps inside were deceptively simple: jump, Clawline to the platform on the right, repeat, and cut down whatever stood in the way. Then came the rotating mechanisms, their rings orbiting like the teeth of some colossal clock. The trick, she learned after two painful falls, was patience — waiting for a ring to swing to the bottom before jumping and hooking it, riding it to the apex, then leaping to the rings on either side and using Cling Grip to haul herself higher.

A Minister died at her needle there. She climbed the left wall to the top-right exit and pressed on into a room that mirrored the first, except that two more Ministers spawned the instant her feet touched the next platform. She learned to dread that sound — the soft chime that means something new has noticed you.

The Spike Shaft and the Bench Below

Past the Ministers, the architecture opened into a great hall where the floor had been replaced by spikes. She dropped toward them, glided into the left corner, then Clawlined to a ring on the right and simply waited. A second passed. A lever groaned somewhere in the dark, and the spikes beneath her sank. From there it became a rhythm: hook across the gap, cut down a Minister mid-flight, and finally drop through the exit below.

Relief arrived in the shape of a bench, a map, and a Ventrica humming to her right. She sat, breathed, and understood that the worst was still ahead. To the left waited a massive fight, and beyond it, the Conductor's Melody.

Eleven Waves, No Boss, No Mercy

What awaited her was not a boss. That was the joke, the one every veteran tells with a tired smile. Instead, the room demanded eleven consecutive waves of enemies, and losing at any point meant starting over from the bench on the right.

Wave	Enemies
1	One Chorister, one Reed, and one Envoy
2	Two Choristers
3	One Reed, one Choir Bellbearer, and one Clawmaiden
4	Two Ministers and one Clawmaiden
5	Two Maestros
6	One Choir Clapper (miniboss)
7	Two Reeds and one Choir Bellbearer
8	Two Choir Bellbearers, one Chorister, and one Clawmaiden
9	Two Ministers and one Choir Bellbearer
10	One Maestro and one Reed
11	Two Choir Clappers

Ten waves she could manage, bleeding and cursing but managing. The eleventh was something else entirely — two Choir Clappers, enormous, attacking without pause, leaping without warning. Fighting them fairly is close to impossible.

So she cheated, a little. First she bought the Ascendant's Grip, a yellow tool sold by the merchant in Songclave once that merchant has been unlocked. With it, the top-left and top-right corners of the arena become a genuine blind spot, a place where no Clapper's swing can reach. Then, the moment wave ten ended and debris began raining from the ceiling, she scattered every Tack across the floor on one side and released her Cogflies. From the safety of the corner, she watched the traps gnaw one miniboss down to nothing — and the survivor was, at last, a fair fight.

Secrets Hidden in the Shadows

The pilgrim did not leave empty-handed, either. High Halls rewards those willing to look sideways instead of forward, and its hidden corners hold some of the finest loot in the region.

#	Reward	How To Get It
1	Psalm Cylinder	While descending the spike area near the end, break the wall on your left, travel through the water, jump up and right, then defeat a large creature
2	Hidden Rosaries	Before dropping into the spike area, use the rings above you to climb and claim them at the top
3	Frayed Rosary String	After the spike area, take the left exit instead of descending; later, push a cart into the falling water, double jump up through a hidden door, push another cart, and climb to a silk wall
4	Simple Key Room	Just before the gauntlet fight, after a few platforms, find Rosaries, a Pale Rosary Necklace, and the Rosary Cannon tool
5	Cogfly Tool	In the spike room, take the left exit beside a Minister, jump across, and craft it at a table using Craftmetal
6	Spool Fragment	Requires the double jump; before the second room's exit, leap to the top left and climb far upward

By the time she finally walked away, the Conductor's Melody resting in her inventory and her nerves thoroughly shredded, the pilgrim understood something the rumors had never quite captured. High Halls is not difficult because it is unfair. It is difficult because it demands everything at once — movement, patience, preparation, and the hu best game deals

Silksong: How I Opened That Ornate Clamp (And Why You Can Chill)

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:59:16 +0000

Hello, fellow bug with a needle and a questionable sense of direction. I am here to tell you about the time I found an old diving bell in Deep Docks, read the words 'Its door is shut tight by an ornate clamp,' and proceeded to lose my mind for a solid hour. If you are searching for how to open the ornate clamp in Silksong, congratulations: you are not alone, and the answer is way less dramatic than the creepy bell suggests. In 2026, with the game fully out and Act 3 no longer a rumor whispered in taverns, I can confirm the truth. The ornate clamp does not open because you hit it harder, shoot it, or stare at it with Hornet's intimidating mask. It opens only when you have the Diving Bell Key, and that key is tied to the secret Act 3. So if you are still poking around Deep Docks in the early acts, put the clamp on your 'later' list and go explore something else. The bell is not a boss room. It is a transit stop.

Wait, What Is This Weird Clamp?

You find the old diving bell in the deeper part of the Deep Docks. When Hornet inspects it, the game tells you: 'An old diving bell. Its door is shut tight by an ornate clamp.' That is it. No prompt, no lever, no nearby switch, no cryptic mural. Just a sealed bell and a clamp that looks important enough to make you think you missed a whole dungeon.

I know the feeling. I circled the room. I checked the ceiling. I hit the clamp with my needle like it owed me geo. Nothing. The reason is simple: the ornate clamp in Silksong is not a local puzzle. It is a progression lock. The only thing that opens it is the Diving Bell Key, and the only place to get that key is the secret Act 3. If you are not in Act 3 yet, the bell is a fancy metal door with trust issues.

The Diving Bell Key Is an Act 3 Thing

Here is the short version: the Diving Bell Key is obtainable only in the secret Act 3. Opening the bell is part of the natural progression of that secret chapter, so you will eventually reach this moment if you choose to experience Act 3. You do not need to solve a riddle. You do not need to find a hidden wall in Deep Docks. You do not need to sacrifice a Grub to a lamp. You just need to get to the right chapter.

And what is inside? Brace yourself. It is a bench and a speaker. That is it. No boss. No item. No secret boss holding a secret item. The old diving bell is used as a method to travel to the Act 3 area. It is basically public transportation with extra steps and a creepy door. So if you are in Act 1 or Act 2 and the clamp is mocking you, you can safely ignore it. Hornet will not miss out on much, and you will go there anyway if you obtain the quest to do so.

Ballow: The Deep Docks Employee of the Year

So how do you actually get the key? The Diving Bell Key is given by Ballow, the non-hostile Deep Docks worker who is working right next to the Forge Daughter. The Forge Daughter is a vendor in Deep Docks, and she is the one who points you toward him. After you speak to the Forge Daughter about how to descend below the Deep Docks, she will inform Hornet that she is not the one to ask. Instead, you should be asking Ballow. Go right to the worker and speak to him. He will say that he will wait for Hornet by the bell.

I love Ballow. He has the energy of a guy who has been on break for three years but still clocks in. He does not fight you. He does not judge your build. He just waits by an ancient diving bell and presumably drinks terrible coffee. Once you have done your part, venture to the old diving bell. If you have been there before, you can use the shortcut. If you have never been there, prepare for a long detour. Then climb up the small room on the right to find Ballow. He will operate the descent of the old diving bell. Once ready, Hornet can open the ornate clamp to enter the bell. Inside, sit on the bench, and speak to Ballow to begin the dive.

Should You Bother? A Very Serious Table

Question	Answer
What opens the ornate clamp?	The Diving Bell Key
Where is the key?	Secret Act 3
Can I get it early?	No, unless you enjoy disappointment
Who gives it?	Ballow, next to the Forge Daughter
What is inside the bell?	A bench and a speaker
Is there a boss?	No
Is there an item?	No
Is it missable?	Not if you play Act 3
Can I ignore it?	Yes, safely
Did I ignore it?	No, and I regret the hour I spent

My Step-by-Step Clamp Opening Routine

Reach the deeper part of Deep Docks.
Find the Forge Daughter, the vendor.
Ask her about descending below the Deep Docks.
Learn that she is not the one to ask. Rude, but fair.
Go right and speak to Ballow, the non-hostile worker.
Hear him say he will wait by the bell.
Travel to the old diving bell. Use the shortcut if you have it. Take the long detour if you do not.
Climb up the small room on the right to find Ballow.
Let Ballow operate the descent of the old diving bell.
Once ready, open the ornate clamp as Hornet.
Enter the bell.
Sit on the bench. Speak to Ballow. Begin the dive.

That is the whole secret. No boss fight. No complex platforming gauntlet. No lore dump that requires a PhD in bug theology. Just a key, a worker, a clamp, and a bench.

The Final Bell

If you are reading this in 2026 and wondering whether some patch changed the old diving bell, the answer is no. The ornate clamp still wants the Diving Bell Key. The key still belongs to secret Act 3. Ballow still waits by the bell. The inside still gives you a bench and a speaker instead of a treasure chest. And I still feel silly for treating a transit stop like a locked vault.

So do not be like me. If you find the old diving bell before Act 3, give the ornate clamp a little wave and walk away. It is not a puzzle. It is a future appointment. When Act 3 comes, Ballow will be there, the clamp will open, and you will ride the bell like the stylish, slightly confused Hornet you are.

After all that bell-ringing and clamp-waving, you might be in the mood to expand your gaming horizons—or at least to make sure you're not overpaying for them. Whether you're waiting for a sale on Silksong or hunting for your next metroidvania fix, keeping an eye on prices is a habit worth forming.

That's where a site like DealNest comes in. It gathers deals and discounts from various storefronts, so you can check game prices without opening a dozen tabs. Think of it as a bench for your wallet—a place to rest before you decide whether to take the plunge. No ornate clamp required.

How I Finally Reached Act 3 in Hollow Knight: Silksong

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:41:23 +0000

Prerequisites for the Quest

Relocating the Fleas

Settle Down In Your Bellhome

Cleaning Up

These were the tasks I completed before the Silk and Soul quest appeared. I recommend doing them whether they are strictly required or not:

Grab a Simple Key from Bone Bottom, Songclave, or the Sands of Karak. Use it on the Green Prince's cage in Sinner's Road.
Find all three cogheart pieces around the Citadel. Restore the sentinel, then take him down in the High Halls area.
Explore Weavenest Atla and speak to Eva.
Explore as much of the map as possible, buy all maps from Shakra, and finish the Trail's End quest.

After that, I spoke to the Caretaker in Songclave, and the Silk and Soul quest finally appeared.

Constructing the Trap

The quest asks for 4 important items. Order does not matter, and you may already have one. However, the Maiden and the Hermit will not give you their parts until the quest is active.

Item	Location	Notes
Seeker's Soul	Putrified Ducts, via Bilewater	Beat Groal the Great, then enter the hut
Maiden's Soul	Far right of Bone Bottom, above Moss Grotto	Speak with her
Hermit's Soul	Bellway Station in Bellhart	Hidden wall below platforms, right side
Snare Setter	Weavenest Atla	Through Needolin door, hidden ceiling room

The Seeker's Soul

The Maiden's Soul

The Hermit's Soul

The Snare Setter

Laying The Trap

Hollow Knight's Review Shift After Silksong: A Storm in a Teacup?

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:15:43 +0000

In the quiet aftermath of 2025, as 2026 rolls on, Hollow Knight remains one of indie gaming's crown jewels. Eight years after its release, the game has earned nearly 440,000 positive Steam reviews and fewer than 14,000 negative ones. That ratio is the stuff of legend. But when Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrived, it brought a flood of new players into Hallownest, and with them came a small but noticeable shift in how the original game is being reviewed. For the first time in its history, Hollow Knight's recent Steam reviews slipped from Overwhelmingly Positive to Very Positive. It is not a crisis, but it is a fascinating wrinkle in the story of a modern classic.

The Numbers Behind the Shift

According to SteamDB, in the first ten days of September 2025, Hollow Knight received 660 negative reviews. That may not sound like much for a game with hundreds of thousands of reviews, but it was the highest monthly negative total in the game's history, and September was only one-third over. The previous record was set in August 2025 with 378 negative reviews. Before that, January 2025 held the record with 340 negative reviews. To put it plainly, the game was not suddenly review-bombed into oblivion. It was simply being played by more people than ever before.

Period	Negative reviews	Notes
First 10 days of September 2025	660	Highest monthly total ever, with two-thirds of the month remaining
August 2025	378	Previous monthly record
January 2025	340	Record before August 2025
Lifetime before September 2025	Fewer than 14,000	Against almost 440,000 positive reviews

Why More Players Meant More Mixed Feedback

The surge in reviews was not just negative. Hollow Knight actually received more positive reviews than in any other month. But the ratio changed. More players than ever before were trying the game, partly because Silksong had finally launched, and partly because the sequel sent curious newcomers back to the original. Between August 23 and September 2, the game broke its own concurrent player count record almost every day. On September 7, it hit a peak of 95,655 concurrent players. That is a lot of nails being swung. ⚔️

When a game reaches a new audience, some of that audience will bounce off. Hollow Knight is brilliant, but it is also challenging, cryptic, and occasionally unforgiving. Not everyone wants to wander through Deepnest without a map. Some negative reviews likely came from players who expected a more conventional sequel-style experience, or who found the original's pace slower than Silksong's more aggressive combat. It is a classic case of a rising tide lifting all boats, including the ones carrying complaints. ️

Silksong's Own Review Storm

It is worth putting Hollow Knight's review shift into perspective. Silksong, despite still holding a Very Positive rating on Steam, has received more than double the negative reviews that Hollow Knight has received in its entire lifetime. That is a wild statistic. Part of that is due to a poor Chinese translation, which Team Cherry has said it will rectify. Part of it is due to the game's perceived higher difficulty, something the developers plan to address in an upcoming patch. In other words, Hollow Knight's 660 negative reviews in ten days look like a gentle breeze next to the hurricane that greeted its sequel. The original game is still an all-timer, and its overall score remains Overwhelmingly Positive. The recent review change is a footnote, not a fall from grace. ️

What This Means for Hollow Knight in 2026

As 2026 unfolds, the dust has settled. Hollow Knight is still beloved. Silksong is still being patched and debated. The review ratio shift says less about Hollow Knight's quality and more about the strange alchemy of a sequel's release. A new game can send players running back to the old one, and not all of them will leave a five-star review. Some will complain about the map. Some will complain about the difficulty. Some will complain about the lack of a sequel for eight years, even though the sequel now exists. That is the internet for you.

But there is no need to sound the alarms. Hollow Knight has survived worse: the wait for Silksong. If anything, the renewed attention proves that Team Cherry created lightning in a bottle twice. The first game's review score is still the envy of the indie world. The second game is still finding its footing. And players are still talking about both. In the grand scheme, a few hundred extra negative reviews are a storm in a teacup. The Knight's journey through Hallownest remains one of gaming's great modern epics, and no temporary dip in recent review sentiment is going to change that.

If all this talk of revisiting Hallownest has you itching to replay the original—or finally give Silksong a try despite the review storm—you might as well keep an eye on your wallet while you do it. Between Team Cherry's patches, DLC speculation, and the sheer number of indie metroidvanias that have flooded Steam in the wake of Hollow Knight's success, there has never been a better time to be a patient, bargain-hunting bug enthusiast. A good steam deal finder can save you the hassle of refreshing store pages and waiting for seasonal sales to roll around.

That is exactly the gap DealNest aims to fill. Rather than scrolling through hundreds of discounted listings or guessing when a price drop might hit, you can let the site track the games you actually care about and surface the moments when they become genuinely affordable. Whether you are hunting for a cheap copy of Hollow Knight to gift a friend or waiting for Silksong's first meaningful discount, it is worth having a tool like DealNest in your corner.

My Epic Quest for Silk Soar: Unlocking the Super Jump in Silksong

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 15:07:31 +0000

The Long Road to Act 3

Before you even think about getting Silk Soar, you need to unlock Act 3 and reach the Abyss. And let me tell you, that's no small feat. The game doesn't just hand you the keys. You have to earn it.

Here's what I had to do:

Complete quests in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and the Songclave Wishwall. These aren't just busywork; they weave into the story and open the path forward.
Collect at least 25 Fleas. Yes, 25! Those little critters are scattered everywhere, and you'll need to bring them to the Flea Caravan.
Get the Flea Caravan to move three times until it reaches the Putrified Ducts. That's right—three times. Each move unlocks new areas and eventually the Abyss.

I spent a good chunk of my playthrough hunting fleas. It felt like a game of hide-and-seek with a bunch of hyperactive insects. But trust me, it's worth it.

Descending into the Abyss

I can't tell you how many times I fell into the void. The Abyss is like that one friend who keeps pranking you—relentless but ultimately teaching you something.

How to Use Silk Soar (Super Jump)

Once you grab Silk Soar, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Here's the control scheme:

Platform	Input
PC	Hold Down Arrow + S
Xbox	Hold LT
PlayStation	Hold L2

The first time I used it, I felt like I'd been given wings. The charge-up adds a bit of tension, but when you release and Hornet launches skyward, it's pure satisfaction.

Escaping the Cave and Beyond

Happy soaring! ️✨

Mister Mushroom Returns: All 7 Locations In Hollow Knight: Silksong

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 14:45:36 +0000

The Poem Unravelled

Moss Grotto

Bone Bottom

Fortunately, he does not travel far this time. He appears on the little platform above Bone Bottom itself, the exact spot where Shakra once peddled her maps. Chat, listen, and wave goodbye.

Far Fields

Greymoor

The Slab

Mount Fay

The Cradle & The Ultimate Ascent

Location	Hint From The Poem	Difficulty
Putrified Ducts	Hidden tablet	Easy
Moss Grotto	Fungal ground	Easy
Bone Bottom	Above town	Easy
Far Fields	Scorched Field	Medium
Greymoor	Towers spinning	Medium
The Slab	Cages	Hard
Mount Fay	Fell heart of frost	Medium
The Cradle	The final climb	Brutal

After all seven encoun game price tracker

Conquering High Halls: A Pilgrim's Guide to Silksong's Deadliest Gauntlet

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:56:07 +0000

But she was stubborn, and stubbornness, in Pharloom, is a kind of currency.

The Long Road to the Golden Rings

Dancing With Rotating Rings

The Spike Shaft and the Bench Below

Eleven Waves, No Boss, No Mercy

Wave	Enemies
1	One Chorister, one Reed, and one Envoy
2	Two Choristers
3	One Reed, one Choir Bellbearer, and one Clawmaiden
4	Two Ministers and one Clawmaiden
5	Two Maestros
6	One Choir Clapper (miniboss)
7	Two Reeds and one Choir Bellbearer
8	Two Choir Bellbearers, one Chorister, and one Clawmaiden
9	Two Ministers and one Choir Bellbearer
10	One Maestro and one Reed
11	Two Choir Clappers

Secrets Hidden in the Shadows

The pilgrim did not leave empty-handed, either. High Halls rewards those willing to look sideways instead of forward, and its hidden corners hold some of the finest loot in the region.

#	Reward	How To Get It
1	Psalm Cylinder	While descending the spike area near the end, break the wall on your left, travel through the water, jump up and right, then defeat a large creature
2	Hidden Rosaries	Before dropping into the spike area, use the rings above you to climb and claim them at the top
3	Frayed Rosary String	After the spike area, take the left exit instead of descending; later, push a cart into the falling water, double jump up through a hidden door, push another cart, and climb to a silk wall
4	Simple Key Room	Just before the gauntlet fight, after a few platforms, find Rosaries, a Pale Rosary Necklace, and the Rosary Cannon tool
5	Cogfly Tool	In the spike room, take the left exit beside a Minister, jump across, and craft it at a table using Craftmetal
6	Spool Fragment	Requires the double jump; before the second room's exit, leap to the top left and climb far upward

My Abyss Survival Guide in Silksong: Map, Entry, and Escape

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:49:55 +0000

Finding the Abyss Map

How to Reach the Abyss

How to Escape the Abyss

Final Thoughts

Mister Mushroom Returns: All 7 Locations In Hollow Knight: Silksong

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:53:36 +0000

The Poem Unravelled

Moss Grotto

Bone Bottom

Fortunately, he does not travel far this time. He appears on the little platform above Bone Bottom itself, the exact spot where Shakra once peddled her maps. Chat, listen, and wave goodbye.

Far Fields

Greymoor

The Slab

Mount Fay

The Cradle & The Ultimate Ascent

Location	Hint From The Poem	Difficulty
Putrified Ducts	Hidden tablet	Easy
Moss Grotto	Fungal ground	Easy
Bone Bottom	Above town	Easy
Far Fields	Scorched Field	Medium
Greymoor	Towers spinning	Medium
The Slab	Cages	Hard
Mount Fay	Fell heart of frost	Medium
The Cradle	The final climb	Brutal

Af game price tracker

Silksong: How I Opened That Ornate Clamp (And Why You Can Chill)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:33:12 +0000

Wait, What Is This Weird Clamp?

The Diving Bell Key Is an Act 3 Thing

Ballow: The Deep Docks Employee of the Year

Should You Bother? A Very Serious Table

Question	Answer
What opens the ornate clamp?	The Diving Bell Key
Where is the key?	Secret Act 3
Can I get it early?	No, unless you enjoy disappointment
Who gives it?	Ballow, next to the Forge Daughter
What is inside the bell?	A bench and a speaker
Is there a boss?	No
Is there an item?	No
Is it missable?	Not if you play Act 3
Can I ignore it?	Yes, safely
Did I ignore it?	No, and I regret the hour I spent

My Step-by-Step Clamp Opening Routine

Reach the deeper part of Deep Docks.
Find the Forge Daughter, the vendor.
Ask her about descending below the Deep Docks.
Learn that she is not the one to ask. Rude, but fair.
Go right and speak to Ballow, the non-hostile worker.
Hear him say he will wait by the bell.
Travel to the old diving bell. Use the shortcut if you have it. Take the long detour if you do not.
Climb up the small room on the right to find Ballow.
Let Ballow operate the descent of the old diving bell.
Once ready, open the ornate clamp as Hornet.
Enter the bell.
Sit on the bench. Speak to Ballow. Begin the dive.

That is the whole secret. No boss fight. No complex platforming gauntlet. No lore dump that requires a PhD in bug theology. Just a key, a worker, a clamp, and a bench.

The Final Bell

After Silksong, Hollow Knight Fans Need New Hopes

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:32:02 +0000

The Nintendo Direct was once a stage for a very specific kind of heartbreak. For seven years, Hollow Knight fans tuned in with the same desperate hope: maybe this time, Silksong. Maybe this time, Hornet would appear. Maybe this time, Team Cherry would end the silence. In 2025, that hope was finally answered. Hollow Knight: Silksong arrived, real and playable, and the long wait collapsed into a strange new problem. When Nintendo announced another Direct for 2026, the Hollow Knight community discovered they had nothing left to beg for.

Instead of relief, there was an odd emptiness. The Direct had been their annual ritual of disappointment, and now the ritual was broken. For years, the phrase 'Silksong at the Direct' had been a meme, a prayer, and a punchline all at once. Now it was just a memory. The fans had become so accustomed to hoping that they started hunting for a new impossible dream before the old one had even cooled.

The Hopium Machine Needs New Fuel

The search did not take long. Hollow Knight fans, like many Nintendo fans, have a mental list of announcements that feel permanently just out of reach. A new Kid Icarus. A new F-Zero. Nintendo acknowledging that Star Fox still exists. These are not realistic expectations so much as emotional insurance. They are the games that let fans feel the sweet ache of wanting something that will probably never come.

Mother 3 finally getting a release outside Japan is the big one. It was the original hopium game before Hollow Knight even existed. Japanese Nintendo fans have been able to play Mother 3 for almost twenty years, yet despite Earthbound's popularity elsewhere, it has never been localized and made available in other regions. For many, that absence is a wound that never healed. Every Direct is a chance for Nintendo to finally do the right thing, and every Direct without Mother 3 is another small betrayal.

Then there is Metroid Prime 4. The real hopium game heading into the latest Direct is Metroid Prime 4, and even though yet another rating makes it seem very likely that the game will finally get a release date, Metroid fans are starting to get nervous again. It has been nearly a decade since Nintendo revealed it was working on Metroid Prime 4. People have played it. The finish line has seemed visible for months. But if it does not get a release date soon, worry will spread like a virus. Metroid fans have been burned before, and they know that a rating is not a release date.

A Wider Web of Worry

The Hollow Knight community is not alone in this cycle. Across the industry, fans build shrines to games that have been teased, rumored, or simply imagined. Hopes are high for a Wolverine re-reveal at a State of Play that has not even been announced yet. Those waiting for news about Kingdom Hearts 4 are really starting to worry. At least they have something to worry about, unlike Final Fantasy 9 fans, who have been left in a quiet purgatory of remaster rumors and anniversary whispers.

It is a strange ecosystem. A Nintendo Direct no longer needs to include Silksong, because Silksong is here. But the Direct still needs to include something. The fans still need a reason to gather, to speculate, to argue, to create elaborate charts, and to feel that familiar sting when the credits roll and their most wanted game is nowhere to be seen.

The New Hopium Leaderboard

Game	Why Fans Still Hope	Realistic Chance
Mother 3	The legendary untranslated sequel	Low, but never zero
Metroid Prime 4	Rated, played, and still dateless	High, if Nintendo is ready
New Kid Icarus	Nostalgia and Sakurai dreams	Very low
New F-Zero	Captain Falcon deserves better	Low
Star Fox	Nintendo remembering the franchise	Medium-low
Wolverine	A re-reveal at an unannounced State of Play	Medium
Kingdom Hearts 4	Square Enix silence is getting loud	Medium
Final Fantasy 9	Remake rumors and anniversary energy	Unknown

The table is only half a joke. For many fans, the hope itself is the entertainment. The Direct is not just a marketing event. It is a shared story, a season finale, and a group therapy session. When one dream is fulfilled, another must take its place. That is how fandom survives.

By 2026, Hollow Knight: Silksong is no longer a rumor. It is a game people have played, criticized, loved, and maybe even finished. Hornet has taken her place in the pantheon. But the Hollow Knight fandom has not learned how to be satisfied. It has only learned how to transfer its longing. The next Direct will arrive, and the fans will watch. They will hope for Mother 3. They will hope for Metroid Prime 4. They will hope for something impossible. And when the presentation ends, they will do what they have always done: pick a new dream, and wait for the next chance to be disappointed.

While the waiting continues, the practical side of being a fan does not pause. Backlogs grow, wishlists stretch on for pages, and the games already released quietly compete for attention with the ones still years away. That is where a tool like game price tracker from DealNest earns its place, letting players watch for drops on the titles they actually intend to play instead of paying full price out of impatience.

It is a small shift in mindset, but a useful one. Instead of pouring all that energy into a Direct that may or may not deliver, fans can spend a little of it on the games sitting unplayed on their shelves, waiting for the right moment and the right price.

Mister Mushroom Returns: All 7 Locations In Hollow Knight: Silksong

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 10:08:39 +0000

The Poem Unravelled

Moss Grotto

Bone Bottom

Fortunately, he does not travel far this time. He appears on the little platform above Bone Bottom itself, the exact spot where Shakra once peddled her maps. Chat, listen, and wave goodbye.

Far Fields

Greymoor

The Slab

Mount Fay

The Cradle & The Ultimate Ascent

Location	Hint From The Poem	Difficulty
Putrified Ducts	Hidden tablet	Easy
Moss Grotto	Fungal ground	Easy
Bone Bottom	Above town	Easy
Far Fields	Scorched Field	Medium
Greymoor	Towers spinning	Medium
The Slab	Cages	Hard
Mount Fay	Fell heart of frost	Medium
The Cradle	The final climb	Brutal

After all seven encoun game price tracker

How I Accidentally Locked Myself Out of Silksong's Best Co-Op Boss Fight

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:45:35 +0000

The Moorwing Fight: A Co-Op Dream Come True

Two Decisions, One Locked Door

A Bittersweet Metroidvania Experience

Here's a quick summary of what happened, in case you want to avoid my fate:

Decision	Consequence
Left the Moorwing fight to explore	Boss remained available until...
Relocated the flea caravan	Caravan parked on the battlefield, locking me out
Result	Missed the co-op fight, may have to fight solo later

And a few tips for fellow travelers:

If you want to fight Moorwing with Garmond and Zaza, do it before relocating the flea caravan.
️ Explore Greymoor thoroughly before making any caravan decisions.
Co-op fights are rare and precious—don't walk away from them lightly.

I'm still holding out hope for a rematch. Maybe in a future act, Garmond and Zaza will ride again. Until then, I'll keep exploring Pharloom, one mistake at a time. You know how it goes.

Sinner's Road Survival Guide: I Got Bullied by Bugs and Found Styx

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 07:46:23 +0000

What You Need Before You Suffer

Sinner's Road does not want you to be happy. It wants you to fall into leech water, lose your silk, and rethink your life choices. So pack like you mean it.

Tool	Why I Bring It
Cling Grip	Wall jumps and clinging are non-negotiable. Sinner's Road laughs at heroes who cannot hold on.
Faydown Cloak	The crucial tool for full exploration. Without it, you are just a tourist with a needle.
Clawline	Helpful for traversal, especially when the floor is lava, except the lava is leeches.
Drifter's Cloak	Shows up later for one very specific glide into a spike pit. Bring it if you have it.

Between you and me, if you are missing the Faydown Cloak, turn around. This area will still be here when you are stronger, and your controller does not deserve that kind of abuse.

Reaching Sinner's Road

Exploring The Depths

Before you leave, take note of the Green Prince locked in the cage. More on him later.

Make your way across, which is easier if you have come equipped with the proper traversal tools. Note the locked door at the far end, then proceed up, using the cages and spiked balls to pogo up.

Find Styx

Enter into the next area on the far right, which is a large vertical room that has rooms at the top and bottom. Let us go up first.

Escape Into Bilewater

Now, it is time to make your way back to the area where the Green Prince was locked in a cage. Open the cage, then head directly to the right on the bottom path.

Final Sinner's Road Tips

Do not panic in leech water. Panic costs silk. Silk costs healing. Healing costs dignity.
Pogo everything. Cages, spike balls, floating balloons, your own bad decisions. If it exists, bounce off it.
Buy the map from Shakra. Getting lost here is like being lost in a haunted filing cabinet.
Save the Green Prince for later. He is not going anywhere, and neither are the Muckroaches.
Grab Tacks and Barbed Bracelet. One makes you throw sharp things. The other makes everything sharper, including your own incoming damage.

Conquering High Halls: A Pilgrim's Guide to Silksong's Deadliest Gauntlet

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 06:23:51 +0000

But she was stubborn, and stubbornness, in Pharloom, is a kind of currency.

The Long Road to the Golden Rings

Dancing With Rotating Rings

The Spike Shaft and the Bench Below

Eleven Waves, No Boss, No Mercy

Wave	Enemies
1	One Chorister, one Reed, and one Envoy
2	Two Choristers
3	One Reed, one Choir Bellbearer, and one Clawmaiden
4	Two Ministers and one Clawmaiden
5	Two Maestros
6	One Choir Clapper (miniboss)
7	Two Reeds and one Choir Bellbearer
8	Two Choir Bellbearers, one Chorister, and one Clawmaiden
9	Two Ministers and one Choir Bellbearer
10	One Maestro and one Reed
11	Two Choir Clappers

Secrets Hidden in the Shadows

The pilgrim did not leave empty-handed, either. High Halls rewards those willing to look sideways instead of forward, and its hidden corners hold some of the finest loot in the region.

#	Reward	How To Get It
1	Psalm Cylinder	While descending the spike area near the end, break the wall on your left, travel through the water, jump up and right, then defeat a large creature
2	Hidden Rosaries	Before dropping into the spike area, use the rings above you to climb and claim them at the top
3	Frayed Rosary String	After the spike area, take the left exit instead of descending; later, push a cart into the falling water, double jump up through a hidden door, push another cart, and climb to a silk wall
4	Simple Key Room	Just before the gauntlet fight, after a few platforms, find Rosaries, a Pale Rosary Necklace, and the Rosary Cannon tool
5	Cogfly Tool	In the spike room, take the left exit beside a Minister, jump across, and craft it at a table using Craftmetal
6	Spool Fragment	Requires the double jump; before the second room's exit, leap to the top left and climb far upward

Hollow Knight: Silksong Map Guide - All 28 Maps and How to Get Them

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 05:29:18 +0000

Map	How to Obtain	Cost (Rosaries)	Location
Bone Bottom	Buy from Shakra	40	NW part of The Marrow
The Marrow	Buy from Shakra	50	Near bench in NW part
Deep Docks	Buy from Shakra	50	East of Deep Docks Bellway
Far Fields	Buy from Shakra	50	Cave SW of Far Fields Bellway
Wormways	Buy from Shakra	70	East side, upper path from Moss Grotto
Hunter's March	Buy from Shakra	70	East side, east of path down to Deep Docks
Greymoor	Buy from Shakra	70	Eastern part, west of Craw Lake
Verdania	Find on bug corpse	-	Small camp in SE part
Bellhart	Buy from Shakra	40	Lower Shellwood, beneath Greyroot's hut
Shellwood	Buy from Shakra	70	Lower part, beneath Greyroot's hut
Blasted Steps	Buy from Shakra	70	Eastern part
Sinner's Road	Buy from Shakra	90	Near bench on NW side of central shaft
The Slab	Find on bug corpse	-	Cell east of bench in center
Mount Fay	Buy from Shakra	40	Near bench in lowest part, near path to The Slab
Sands of Karak	Buy from Shakra	90	Chamber on western side of central shaft
Bilewater	Buy from Shakra	90	Center, NE of Bilewater Bellway
Weavenest Atla	Inspect device	-	NE part; head right from Needolin door, break two glowing orbs, inspect device in left chamber
Grand Gate	Inspect machine	40	Central part
Underworks	Interact with map	-	Small chamber on western side of central shaft, above first bench
Whiteward	Inspect machine	70	Area south of only bench
Choral Chambers	Inspect machine	70	Area east of Grand Bellway
High Halls	Inspect machine	70	Area east of path up from Choral Chambers
Whispering Vaults	Inspect machine	70	Hidden chamber at top of central shaft
Cogwork Core	Step on button	-	Hidden area above foldable bench, beneath NW passageway into Choral Chambers
Memorium	Inspect machine	70	Map room in SE part
Putrified Ducts	Inspect table	-	Room on west side of central shaft, SW of Putrified Ducts Bellway
The Cradle	Inspect machine	70	Alcove on west side
The Abyss	Inspect device	-	Secret area above bench in lowest part

Silksong: How I Opened That Ornate Clamp (And Why You Can Chill)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:27:10 +0000

Wait, What Is This Weird Clamp?

The Diving Bell Key Is an Act 3 Thing

Ballow: The Deep Docks Employee of the Year

Should You Bother? A Very Serious Table

Question	Answer
What opens the ornate clamp?	The Diving Bell Key
Where is the key?	Secret Act 3
Can I get it early?	No, unless you enjoy disappointment
Who gives it?	Ballow, next to the Forge Daughter
What is inside the bell?	A bench and a speaker
Is there a boss?	No
Is there an item?	No
Is it missable?	Not if you play Act 3
Can I ignore it?	Yes, safely
Did I ignore it?	No, and I regret the hour I spent

My Step-by-Step Clamp Opening Routine

Reach the deeper part of Deep Docks.
Find the Forge Daughter, the vendor.
Ask her about descending below the Deep Docks.
Learn that she is not the one to ask. Rude, but fair.
Go right and speak to Ballow, the non-hostile worker.
Hear him say he will wait by the bell.
Travel to the old diving bell. Use the shortcut if you have it. Take the long detour if you do not.
Climb up the small room on the right to find Ballow.
Let Ballow operate the descent of the old diving bell.
Once ready, open the ornate clamp as Hornet.
Enter the bell.
Sit on the bench. Speak to Ballow. Begin the dive.

That is the whole secret. No boss fight. No complex platforming gauntlet. No lore dump that requires a PhD in bug theology. Just a key, a worker, a clamp, and a bench.

The Final Bell

After Silksong, Hollow Knight Fans Need New Hopes

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:01:56 +0000

The Hopium Machine Needs New Fuel

A Wider Web of Worry

The New Hopium Leaderboard

Game	Why Fans Still Hope	Realistic Chance
Mother 3	The legendary untranslated sequel	Low, but never zero
Metroid Prime 4	Rated, played, and still dateless	High, if Nintendo is ready
New Kid Icarus	Nostalgia and Sakurai dreams	Very low
New F-Zero	Captain Falcon deserves better	Low
Star Fox	Nintendo remembering the franchise	Medium-low
Wolverine	A re-reveal at an unannounced State of Play	Medium
Kingdom Hearts 4	Square Enix silence is getting loud	Medium
Final Fantasy 9	Remake rumors and anniversary energy	Unknown

Silksong: A Brutal, Beautiful Homecoming After Seven Years

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:10:08 +0000

Almost seven years. That's how long I waited for Silksong. When it finally dropped in 2026, I felt a mix of excitement and dread. After all, Hollow Knight built a legacy that's hard to follow. But Silksong isn't just more Hollow Knight. It's a different beast entirely—one that throws you into the deep end and laughs as you drown.

The Early Game Doesn't Hold Your Hand

Hollow Knight eased me in. The Gruz Mother was a joke, and most early bosses only did one mask of damage. Silksong? It throws you right into the deep end. No easy bosses, no gentle learning curve. I died more times in the first hour than I care to admit. The enemies hit like a truck—two masks of damage from regular bugs? That's just rude. And there's no tutorial. Team Cherry basically said, 'You played Hollow Knight, right? Good luck.' The game itself seems to mock me with every two-mask hit.

Money, Money, Money

In Hollow Knight, I was swimming in geo. In Silksong, rosary beads are like gold dust. Want a map? That'll be a few hundred. A bench? More beads. A simple key? You get the idea. I've found myself farming the same poor enemies over and over, and I swear they recognize me now. 'Oh no, it's that broke bug again.' I've never felt so poor in a video game.

Where Are the Mask Shards?

I found two mask shards in my first few hours. Two! And one of them I had to buy. In Hollow Knight, they were practically falling from the sky. Here, they're hidden in the most obscure corners. It makes every two-mask hit feel like a death sentence. I've started to dread exploring new areas because I know I'll just lose my health and my beads. Seriously, where are they? I've resorted to hitting every wall and ceiling in hopes of a secret.

Pharloom Feels Alive

Hallownest was haunting—beautiful, but dead. Pharloom is bustling. There are NPCs everywhere, and they actually talk to you. Hornet speaks, so I feel a connection. I can do Wishes for them, learn their stories. It's a nice change of pace. Pharloom breathes with life, its NPCs chattering away about their hopes and fears. But don't let the liveliness fool you—the enemies are still out for blood.

A Wider Toolkit

Hornet plays differently. The crest system is a game-changer. I can choose a crest that suits my style, then customize it with tools. It feels like a proper RPG build. I've been experimenting with a beast crest that lets me go full aggro, but I might switch to something more defensive. The possibilities are exciting. It's much more strategic than Hollow Knight's charm system.

Secrets Within Secrets

Silksong is huge. And I mean huge. I've already found a secret room inside another secret room. Team Cherry is laughing at us, I'm sure. You have to hit every wall, look behind every waterfall. If you think you've found the secret, keep digging. There's probably another one. I'll let you discover the rest for yourself—just don't blame me when you get lost for hours.

Final Thoughts

Silksong is not Hollow Knight 2.0. It's a tougher, more complex, and more alive experience. It respects your skills but also punishes your mistakes. I'm only a few hours in, and I'm already hooked. If you're struggling, just remember: git gud. Or, you know, cry a little. Both work. You know the feeling.

Here's a quick comparison table:

Aspect	Hollow Knight	Silksong
Early game difficulty	Moderate	Brutal
Tutorial	Yes	No
Regular enemy damage	Mostly 1 mask	Often 2 masks
Currency	Plentiful geo	Scarce rosaries
Mask shards	Common	Rare and hidden
Atmosphere	Haunting, dead	Lively, bustling
Combat toolkit	Nail arts, spells	Crests, tools, customization
Secrets	Hidden walls	Hidden rooms within hidden rooms

So, yeah. It was worth the wait. But my thumbs hurt. And my pride.

If you're thinking about diving into Silksong yourself—or finally checking out Hollow Knight after all this talk—it helps to know you're not overpaying before you commit. DealNest is built for exactly that, offering a straightforward game price comparison so you can see current offers across different storefronts in one place.

Whether you're hunting for a discount on Silksong or just want to compare prices on other titles in your backlog, a quick stop at DealNest can save you a few bucks without the guesswork. It's a practical resource for deal hunters who'd rather spend less on the games and more on actually playing them.

Hollow Knight Silksong: Balm for the Wounded Quest Guide for 2026

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:19:54 +0000

In 2026, Hollow Knight Silksong remains a maze of secrets, and the Balm for the Wounded quest is one of its most easily missed errands. This Act 2 side quest sends Hornet into Whiteward to find Sherma, a resident who has vanished from Songclave. For completionists chasing 100%, it is not optional. For everyone else, the rewards make it more than worth the detour. The quest also opens the door to another missing-person hunt, so players who skip it may find their Wish Board looking a little emptier than it should.

How to Start the Balm for the Wounded Quest

The quest does not simply appear. Players must first discover Songclave in the north-eastern part of Choral Chambers in the Citadel. After activating the First Shrine bench in Songclave, they need to leave and then return. That small act of backtracking convinces the settlement to build a Wish Board. Songclave, in other words, waits for travelers to prove they are coming back.

Even then, the Wish Board will not offer Balm for the Wounded right away. It only appears after players complete the Building Up Songclave side quest. That task asks for a donation of 300 Rosaries to the Wish Board. It also requires visiting Whiteward one time. The entrance to Whiteward needs a key, but the key is easy to find to the right of the First Shrine bench in Songclave. Players should grab it before leaving. Blink and it is gone, and then they will be making a second trip.

Once Building Up Songclave is complete and Whiteward has been visited at least once by unlocking its door, players should return to Songclave. The Balm for the Wounded quest will be waiting at the Wish Board. Accept it, and the search for Sherma officially begins.

How to Find Sherma in Whiteward

Sherma can be found on the eastern side of Whiteward, northwest of the path that leads to the Underworks. A specific door leads directly to her location, but reaching it is the tricky part. Whiteward is a place that hoards its secrets like a miser, and the correct route is not always obvious.

Fortunately, the game offers a trail. While exploring Whiteward in search of Sherma, players will encounter an item of hers that can be interacted with. Doing so tracks her scent. This creates a visible path to her location, making the hunt much less of a headache. The scent trail practically takes players by the hand and leads them to the door mentioned earlier.

After entering the door, players arrive in a tiny subsection of Whiteward. From there, they should proceed all the way to the right. Sherma is at the end. Once she is found, speak to her and exhaust her dialogue. This triggers a battle against a wave of enemies. There are five enemies in total, and they must all be defeated. After the fight, speak to Sherma again. Finishing that conversation concludes the Balm for the Wounded quest.

Balm for the Wounded Quest Rewards

The first reward arrives immediately. Sherma hands over a Spool Fragment after being saved from Whiteward. A Spool Fragment is one of two parts that increase Hornet's Silk Meter. For combat-focused players, that upgrade is not just a nice extra. It is a direct boost to Hornet's toolkit, and it can make later fights feel noticeably smoother.

The second reward is a new quest at the Wish Board in Songclave. Completing Balm for the Wounded unlocks the Lost Merchant quest, which involves finding another missing character on the large map of Silksong. In other words, one rescue leads to another mystery. Players who enjoy the interconnected side stories of Silksong should pay attention, because this chain is easy to lose track of in a year crowded with new releases.

Reward	Details
Spool Fragment	Handed over by Sherma immediately after the rescue. One of two parts that increase Hornet's Silk Meter.
Lost Merchant quest	Unlocked at the Wish Board in Songclave. Sends players after another missing character.
✅ Completion progress	Required for a 100% completion run in Hollow Knight Silksong.

Why the Quest Still Matters in 2026

By 2026, Hollow Knight Silksong has been picked apart by guide writers, speedrunners, and lore hunters. Yet Balm for the Wounded remains a common blind spot. The quest hides behind a donation, a key, a first visit to Whiteward, and a scent trail that only appears if players inspect the right object. That is a lot of invisible checkboxes. No shame in missing one.

For anyone returning to an old save or starting a fresh completion run, the order is simple. Build up Songclave. Visit Whiteward. Accept the Wish. Track Sherma. Clear the enemy wave. Claim the Spool Fragment. Then check the Wish Board again for the Lost Merchant. It is a short chain, but it reaches into multiple systems and rewards patient exploration.

In a game built on hidden paths and quiet tragedies, Balm for the Wounded fits right in. It asks players to slow down, follow a scent, and bring someone home. The Spool Fragment is the practical prize. The new quest is the hook. The real reward, as cheesy as it sounds, is one less empty chair in Songclave.

Anyone planning to keep grinding through Silksong's side content in 2026 is probably eyeing a few other Metroidvania releases to fill the gaps between patches and expansions. Tracking down genuinely good prices across storefronts can be its own kind of quest, which is where a deal aggregator earns its keep. Sites like DealNest game deals round up current discounts and price drops in one place, so you spend less time refreshing store pages and more time actually playing.

It's a small convenience, but a useful one for completionists who like to stack a backlog before diving into the next long rescue mission. Worth a look if your wishlist is longer than your wallet.

Hollow Knight: Silksong Wormways Guide: Maps, NPCs, Collectibles, and Wishes

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 17:35:18 +0000

In 2026, Hollow Knight: Silksong continues to reward meticulous exploration, and the Wormways remains one of the earliest optional regions that can dramatically shape a playthrough. These dark, worm-infested tunnels sit between the Moss Grotto and the upper reaches of the Mosslands, offering a compact but secret-rich intermission before Shellwood. Although the area is short, it is packed with valuable upgrades, a map vendor, two collectibles, and two Wishes that tie into Plasmium and flea hunting. Players who want to reach Cling Grip early should consider unlocking the Wormways, but they must prepare for a Simple Key expense or a long detour, plus falling Gorms that punish slow movement.

️ Full Map Overview Of The Wormways

The Wormways is a very short and simple area that acts like an intermission before Shellwood. There is not much to do on a first visit, and even later visits are normally for a single, short purpose. However, entering does require a Simple Key if the player is coming from Moss Grove. Swift Step is highly recommended for this area due to the prevalence of quickly falling worms, or Gorms, from the ceilings. While it is possible to venture across this space theoretically without Swift Step, it will make life far easier.

As expected for an area of this size and activity, there are only four foe types in the region:

Foe	Threat Profile
Gromling	The most frustrating part of the area because they often respawn, even without the player leaving the room, and emerge from several points on the map.
Grom	Falling worms that drop from ceilings and punish careless movement.
Winged Pilgrim Bellbearer	A flying foe that adds pressure in tighter tunnels.
Akrid	A smaller threat that still demands attention during platforming.

Gromlings are the standout nuisance. Their ability to respawn quickly means players should not linger under open ceilings, and Swift Step turns many of their ambushes into minor inconveniences rather than run-ending mistakes.

All NPCs Locations

Shakra is the first and most important NPC in the Wormways. She sells the area map for 70 Rosary and any others that might have been missed up to this point. Players can locate Shakra by progressing naturally from the bottom of the Wormways-Moss Grotto connection until they reach the northeast room near the north exit. Halfway up, they should keep their eyes peeled on the left for a small path to an alcove, marked by Shakra's golden chakrams.

Alchemist Zylotol is not accessible until the player reaches Cling Grip. With the wall-jump ability in hand, Zylotol can be found at the topmost section of the map. He is accessible via the northmost room left of the vertical central chamber. A thin tunnel must be jumped up to find Zylotol and a bench at the path's end. Once Zylotol is found, his quest can begin and the ability to purchase Plasmium to refill the Plasmium Vial unlocks. Refilling costs 50 Rosaries each time, regardless of how many charges remain.

All Collectible Item Locations

There are only two collectible items in all of the Wormways: the Memory Locket and the Dead Bug's Purse. Both can technically be found without any upgrades except Swift Step, though a case can be made that not even Swift Step is truly needed.

The Memory Locket is located in the southwest room's bottom right corner. To reach it, players must enter the dark passages beneath the main Wormways area. After descending into this abyssal nightmare of tunnels, they should take a left to take the top-left exit into the southwest room. Then they should navigate downward, keeping to the right where possible, to find the Memory Locket down a shaft, right of a pit of spikes and at a dead end on a pilgrim's body.

The Dead Bug's Purse is located in the room directly above Shakra. Players should continue progressing northeast in the Wormways toward the north exit and find a long ascent with several worms falling down the shaft. Eventually, they will find a ledge with a long path leading left. The charm will be on the grave, guarded by two enemies.

All Wish Locations

It must be no coincidence that both Wishes tied to this area give consumable red tool items that must be refilled by their quest-giver periodically. However, only the first Wish on this list is given in the area; the second is only tied by association, as the target task can be found here.

Wish	Task	Reward
Alchemist's Assistant	Find and collect three Plasmium.	Plasmium Vial charm
Lost Fleas	Find five fleas.	Flea Brew charm; Flea Finder and Flea Friend achievements/trophies

Ideal Progression Of The Wormways

The Wormways can be entered through one of two ways:

Dropping in from above via the Blasted Steps.
Using a Simple Key on the Moss Grotto-Wormways door.

For most first playthroughs, using the Simple Key will be the more common and natural progression. This route assumes the player is taking that path, but if they took the other one, they can work backwards from before the Alchemist's quest and then return to it.

When entering the Wormways for the first time, the main goal is to head left. Doing so requires jumping over several pits of spikes while dodging falling worms. This is why Swift Step is highly recommended. Once the third room is entered, a long room like the first, players should keep continuing left until they can take an exit at the top of the room. There are no mask-shattering secrets to be found here, so they should not tarry too long.

The main goal while coming up into the upper levels is to reach Shakra and claim the map. To do this:

Continue northeast.
When reaching a vertical room, navigate the platforms down to an exit on the right, a little more than halfway to the bottom.
Continue northeast until reaching the last platform before jumping to a major cliff ledge.
Look left to see some gol best game deals

Borderlands 4 in 2026: Was It Really the Best Looter Shooter?

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 15:52:16 +0000

I still remember my first trip to Pandora. The guns, the jokes, the endless loot. Now it's 2026, and Borderlands 4 has been out for a while. When the reviews first dropped in September 2025, they were overwhelmingly positive. Metacritic: 84. Open Critic: 87. That's a clear step up from Borderlands 3, which sat at 81 and split the fanbase. It's not quite enough to dethrone Borderlands 2 at 89, but it's close. And after putting in dozens of hours myself, I think the real story is more interesting than a number.

The Scores Don't Tell the Whole Story

Let's get the numbers out of the way. Here's how the mainline games stack up on Metacritic:

Game	Metacritic Score
Borderlands 2	89
Borderlands 4	84
Borderlands 3	81

On Open Critic, Borderlands 4 sits at 87. That's a strong debut. It means Gearbox didn't just avoid another Borderlands 3 situation—it actually won back a lot of trust. But scores are snapshots. The real question in 2026 is whether the game still feels great after the honeymoon phase. For me, it does. Mostly.

What Reviewers Loved

When the embargo lifted, some outlets went wild. XboxEra gave Borderlands 4 a perfect score. Reviewer Jesse Norris called it the best looter shooter he's ever played. He said he had no major faults, only a few minor gripes—like how long bodies take to disappear when you want to grab the loot underneath them. Outside of that, he called it a masterpiece and said he could easily see himself putting in another thousand hours over the years.

Screen Rant's Brandon Key gave it a 9/10. He wrote that it was the most fun he's ever had with the series. Charming writing, great characters, smooth gameplay, and a consistent loot rush pushed him to do 'just one more' mission into the wee hours of the morning over and over. That's the Borderlands promise, right? One more mission. One more legendary. One more level.

VGC's Jordan Middle gave it a 4/5. He called it a great RPG shooter with rewarding, engrossing gameplay. He did have some criticisms: bland new characters and a pointless grappling hook took some shine off. But he also said the sheer amount of fun couldn't be overlooked. For him, Borderlands 4 reminded him why he was such a big fan of the original two games, and it learned from the mistakes of 3.

Randy Pitchford Called It

Gearbox co-founder Randy Pitchford was never shy about his confidence. At Gamescom 2025, he said, 'I'm not just confident, but absolutely convinced that Borderlands 4 is the best Borderlands game we've ever made.' He talked about how past games pushed boundaries too far in one direction or another, and how Borderlands 4, knowing those boundaries, could commit to 'this perfect centre space.'

In 2026, that quote looks less like hype and more like a mission statement. The game didn't just review well—it seems to have brought back the magic that made the first two games so beloved. It's not a flawless victory, but it's a meaningful one.

Launch Details and Platform Notes

Borderlands 4 launched on PC on September 11, 2025. It came to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on September 12. The Nintendo Switch 2 version arrived on October 3. Now that we're in 2026, every one of those versions is out in the wild. If you were waiting for the Switch 2 release, you've had plenty of time to dive in. The staggered launch meant PC players got a tiny head start, but the wait wasn't brutal.

My Personal Take as a Longtime Vault Hunter

I've been playing Borderlands since the original. I loved Borderlands 2. I liked Borderlands 3, but I understood why it divided people. The writing was hit-or-miss. The villains didn't land. The endgame felt off. Borderlands 4 feels like a course correction. The gunplay is smooth. The loot loop is addictive. The world is packed with things to shoot, loot, and build around. I've had multiple nights where I told myself I'd stop after one more mission—and then the sun came up.

Do I agree with every review? No. The new characters aren't all winners. The grappling hook isn't essential. But those are small dents in a very sturdy vault door. The core loop is the best it's been in years. If you bounced off Borderlands 3, I think this is the one that brings you back.

Pros	Cons
Rewarding, engrossing gameplay	Some bland new characters
Charming writing and great characters	Pointless grappling hook, according to some
Smooth gunplay and a consistent loot rush	Minor loot-grab annoyances
Best fun in the series for many reviewers	Doesn't quite beat Borderlands 2's 89

The Verdict in 2026

So where does Borderlands 4 land? It's not the highest-scoring game in the series. Borderlands 2 still wears that crown with an 89. But Borderlands 4 is a huge step up from 3, and it's one of the most fun looter shooters you can play right now. The reviews were strong. The word of mouth has been strong. And with all platforms available in 2026, there's no reason to wait.

If you're a solo Vault Hunter, you'll find a satisfying campaign and a loot treadmill that respects your time. If you're a co-op fiend, you'll find chaos, explosions, and that classic 'just one more' energy. For me, Borderlands 4 is a reminder of why I fell in love with this series. And that's worth more than a few Metacritic points.

There's one more practical angle worth mentioning, though. Looter shooters are long-haul commitments, and between the base game, the expansions, and the steady drip of cosmetic packs, staying current gets expensive fast — especially if you're buying in on more than one platform. If you'd rather let a deal come to you than spend your evenings refreshing store pages, DealNest is worth a bookmark.

It's a small thing, but it changes how a purchase feels. Paying less up front leaves room for a second copy for a co-op partner, or for whatever looter shooter lands next on your wishlist. A good deal doesn't make a great game better — it just makes saying yes a lot easier.

Hand-Drawn Indie Games That Make 3D Look Like It Needs a Nap

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:57:11 +0000

The video game industry has spent decades chasing photorealism, but indie developers keep casually proving that a hand-drawn line can be more expressive than a million polygons. In 2026, the conversation is still dominated by Hollow Knight: Silksong, which arrived after years of Team Cherry cooking and immediately became one of 2025's best-reviewed games. Cuphead, meanwhile, remains the gold standard for cartoon chaos. These titles are not alone. A whole gallery of hand-drawn 2D games exists for players who want animation that moves like art and art that moves like animation.

The 2D Renaissance Is Not a Nostalgia Trip

There was a time when 2D animation was treated like a phase that gaming had to grow out of, like a child finally putting away crayons. Then indie studios started showing up with crayons and drawing circles around big-budget developers. Hollow Knight: Silksong and Cuphead are the loudest success stories, but they are not the only ones. The best hand-drawn 2D games combine old-school animation techniques with modern design, creating worlds that feel alive in a way that 3D sometimes cannot match.

Game	Style	Why It Belongs in the Gallery
Hollow Knight: Silksong	Hand-drawn Metroidvania	Colors pop, outlines leap from backgrounds
Cuphead	1930s cartoon run-and-gun	Boss-focused brutality with silky animation
Ori and the Blind Forest	Emotional Metroidvania	Gorgeous, haunting, tears optional but likely
Indivisible	Metroidvania + turn-based RPG	Combos, allies, face-button fighting
Disney Illusion Island	Co-op Metroidvania	Friendly platforming with Disney pals
Sundered	Roguevania	Fluid ink-like combat and exploration
Greak: Memories of Azur	Sibling puzzle adventure	Three heroes, one satisfying journey
The Cruel King and the Great Hero	Crayon-style RPG	Rough, polished, and delightfully odd

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Team Cherry took its sweet time, and fans were treated to perfection in terms of graphical quality and gameplay. The animation was great in the first game, but the sequel's colors really pop. Character outlines jump out of the environments like they exist on old-school artist animation cels. Hollow Knight: Silksong is a challenging Metroidvania experience that is as fun to play as it is to stop and look at. In 2026, it remains a benchmark for what a small team can achieve when it refuses to rush.

Cuphead

When Cuphead was unveiled in 2013 with a teaser trailer, it did not look real. The more Studio MDHR showed, the more unreal it got. How could that be a video game? After years of waiting, fans finally got their answer. It played like a dream, or more like a nightmare, because this boss-focused game was brutal. The animations were as smooth as possible, which was essential because the game demanded precise timing or else players were dead. There is still nothing quite like Cuphead out there, although many upcoming challengers want the throne.

Ori and the Blind Forest is one of the saddest and most haunting games players can embark on alone. That said, it is also beautiful emotionally and aesthetically, thanks to the art, which looks great in motion. While things start in a dark and dreary setting, eventually the little creature, Ori, explores miraculous locations like ponds so clean that players want to drink from them. It is another challenging Metroidvania, so players must stay vigilant to avoid hazards and enemies.

Indivisible

Indivisible is a wild combination of Metroidvania-style exploration and turn-based RPGs. As the protagonist, Ajna, players explore lush 2D environments and gain allies through mind manipulation. In battle, Ajna can summon ethereal heroes to fight alongside her, and each character corresponds to a face button. Players can create combos akin to a fighting game, which makes sense given that the developer, Lab Zero Games, also made a hand-drawn fighting game called Skullgirls, which is worth a look too.

Disney Illusion Island

Disney Illusion Island is a great Metroidvania to start with for anyone not accustomed to the genre, plus it has co-op. While there are enemies, players cannot engage them and instead have to focus on platforming around, except for boss fights. Even though there are hazards, it is still not that tough of an adventure, which makes sense since it is a Disney game. Mickey, Donald, Minnie, and Goofy all play the same, but they get different-looking abilities. For example, Mickey's wall-climbing ability is a pencil, while Donald gets a plunger.

Sundered

Sundered's animations are some of the most fluid of the games on this list, between combat and exploring. It is almost like the heroine, Eshe, and her enemies are evolving ink-based entities that change with the player's input. It is considered a Roguevania, a style of game that combines elements of roguelikes, as the world changes between runs, and Metroidvanias, as there is a giant interconnected world to explore. Play it alone or with friends to see how jaw-dropping this game is in action.

Greak: Memories of Azur

Greak: Memories of Azur may not be a game many are familiar with, but hopefully that changes soon. This wonderfully rendered world stars three siblings who each have their own unique powers and abilities. After a short opening wherein all three have to be unlocked, players can then freely switch between them to fight enemies or solve puzzles. Players will cut skeletons with swords, swing on ropes to jump across gaps, turn wheels to open doors for their fellow siblings, and more in this short but satisfying adventure.

The Cruel King and the Great Hero

The Cruel King and the Great Hero is a bit of an underrated gem from NIS, a studio that most gamers probably know from the Disgaea series. This little RPG stars a young girl, Yuu, who goes on an adventure to help her dragon friend. It is a turn-based RPG wherein Yuu will fight monsters and gain allies to aid her in battle. The art aesthetic has a rough crayon-like design to it, which makes it look unfinished in the most polished way possible. It is hard to explain until players pick it up and start playing for themselves. It is not quite as quirky as EarthBound, but it is around that same oddball style of RPG.

Why It Still Matters in 2026

In 2026, 3D games still hog the spotlight, but hand-drawn 2D games keep stealing the show. They are not just pretty. They are precise, expressive, and often brutally difficult. For fans of animation who want to feast their eyes on something extraordinary, these games harken back to the good old days of 2D animation while pushing the craft forward. The only downside? Once someone sees Silksong's colors or Cuphead's rubbery bosses, ordinary polygons may start looking like they need a nap.

If reading about these hand-drawn adventures has you ready to add a few to your library, the tricky part is often timing the purchase. Between limited-run p DealNest

After Silksong, Hollow Knight Fans Need New Hopes

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:32:32 +0000

The Hopium Machine Needs New Fuel

A Wider Web of Worry

The New Hopium Leaderboard

Game	Why Fans Still Hope	Realistic Chance
Mother 3	The legendary untranslated sequel	Low, but never zero
Metroid Prime 4	Rated, played, and still dateless	High, if Nintendo is ready
New Kid Icarus	Nostalgia and Sakurai dreams	Very low
New F-Zero	Captain Falcon deserves better	Low
Star Fox	Nintendo remembering the franchise	Medium-low
Wolverine	A re-reveal at an unannounced State of Play	Medium
Kingdom Hearts 4	Square Enix silence is getting loud	Medium
Final Fantasy 9	Remake rumors and anniversary energy	Unknown