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🐍 A British Body with an American Heart

The story begins with Carroll Shelby, a racing driver who admired fast, expensive, and complex machines from Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, and Jaguar. He wondered whether a cheaper car could be just as fast. In the early 1960s, AC Cars had lost its engine supplier, and Shelby saw an opening. He contacted AC, then called Ford to arrange a supply of V8 engines. The fact that the new car would challenge the Chevrolet Corvette helped sweeten the deal.

In 1962, Shelby created Shelby American, built the car in California, and called it Cobra—a name that reportedly came to him in a dream. Early cars used Ford 260 and later 289 cubic-inch V8s. They won on track, but the later 427 iteration became the legend. The 427 arrived in 1965 and was a different beast altogether.



🏁 Performance That Shook the Establishment

When automotive journalists tested the new 427 Cobra in 1965, they found something extraordinary. The car cost about $7,000 and weighed only 2,529 pounds. Under the hood, the 427 big-block produced 485 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque in competition form, with 425 horsepower in standard tune. A four-speed manual transmission sent all that fury to the rear wheels.

The numbers were staggering for the era:

Metric
1965 Shelby 427 Cobra

0–60 mph
4.3 seconds

0–100 mph–0
14.5 seconds

0–100 mph–0, Ken Miles
13.8 seconds

Quarter mile
12.2 seconds at 118 mph

Top speed
165 mph

Price when new
$7,000

Weight
2,529 pounds

Engine
Ford 427 FE V8

Power
425 hp standard, 485 hp competition

Torque
480 lb-ft

Transmission
4-speed manual

That 0–60 mph time would have been respectable for supercars well into the 2000s. The quarter-mile run made the Cobra one of the quickest street-legal machines of its day. And 165 mph was genuinely frightening in a lightweight roadster with minimal aerodynamics.



🔧 Chassis and Suspension Changes

The 427 was not simply an engine swap. Shelby's team made the frame tubing thicker. They replaced the transverse leaf springs—which some magazines criticized for making the car difficult to control on bumpy roads—with coil springs at all four corners. The 427 came in both street and competition versions. It was raw, loud, and demanding, but it worked.



⚔️ The Rivals: Corvette L88, Hemi Dart, and More

The Cobra did not exist in a vacuum. In the 1960s, the Chevrolet Corvette was evolving quickly. The L88 option, available across the C2 and C3 generations, brought a 7.0-liter 427 race V8, competition parts, and a distinct lack of luxuries such as air conditioning and a radio. One respected magazine quoted its quarter-mile time in the mid-to-high 11-second range. A silver L88-spec 1969 Corvette ran 11.44 seconds at the Pure Stock Drags event in 2011.

Yet the L88 was a thinly veiled competition car. It was hard to start when cold and notorious for overheating in traffic. The National Corvette Museum did not recommend it for street use. Standard Corvette 427s, by contrast, could complete the quarter mile in around 13 seconds.

Dodge also built 80 versions of the Hurst Hemi Dart LO23 Super Stock. It was street-legal and recorded a low-ten-second quarter-mile at roughly 130 mph, but it came with a disclaimer that it was only for drag racing or supervised acceleration trials. There was also the Hemi Barracuda Special Order with a race engine, estimated at a low ten-second quarter mile. On the street-legal side, the 440 Six-Pack 1969 Plymouth Road Runner A12 famously cleared the quarter mile in 12.91 seconds.



⚡ Modern Context: 2026 and Beyond

By 2026, supercars have rewritten the rules. In 2023, Car and Driver called the Ferrari 296 GTB the quickest rear-drive car it had ever tested. It hit 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and covered the quarter mile in 9.7 seconds at 150 mph. In 2022, a McMurtry Spéirling fan car reached 60 mph in 1.40 seconds and demolished the quarter mile in 7.97 seconds during filming.

Those figures make the 427 Cobra look almost tame. But context matters. The Cobra did its work with a manual transmission, skinny tires by modern standards, no traction control, no anti-lock brakes, and no electronic safety net. It asked the driver to be brave, precise, and perhaps a little reckless. That is why it still captures the imagination.



🏆 A Legend That Refuses to Fade

Decades later, cars like the Dodge Viper were still trying to capture the magic of this legendary American sports car. The 427 Cobra was not the easiest car to live with, and it was not cheap. It was, however, a brilliant blend of British lightness and American muscle. In the 1960s, it could beat almost anything over a quarter mile. In 2026, it remains a benchmark for raw, unfiltered performance.

The Cobra's story is a reminder that great cars are not always the product of a single tradition. Sometimes, the best ideas come from a strange combination—a dainty British roadster, a massive Ford V8, and a Texan with a dream. The result was a machine that left rivals in the dust and never really left the spotlight. 🐍🏁

For most enthusiasts, the closest they will ever come to a 427 Cobra at full throttle is behind the wheel of a racing simulator. Titles like Gran Turismo, Forza, and Assetto Corsa have turned quarter-mile bragging rights into something you can chase from the couch, with tire models, gearing, and weight transfer simulated down to details that would have seemed like science fiction in 1966. The hobby has grown well beyond the screen, too, as rigs, wheels, and pedals have become their own branch of car culture.

That kind of setup does not come cheap, though, and prices on titles and peripherals swing constantly. DealNest was built for exactly that problem, gathering discounts on games, hardware, and accessories into one place so you can spot a good price before it disappears. Whether you are rebuilding a library of classic racing sims or hunting for something new to test your reflexes, it is worth checking what is on offer — a quick look at the game deals today can save you enough to put toward that next upgrade.]]>


🐍 A British Body with an American Heart

The story begins with Carroll Shelby, a racing driver who admired fast, expensive, and complex machines from Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, and Jaguar. He wondered whether a cheaper car could be just as fast. In the early 1960s, AC Cars had lost its engine supplier, and Shelby saw an opening. He contacted AC, then called Ford to arrange a supply of V8 engines. The fact that the new car would challenge the Chevrolet Corvette helped sweeten the deal.

In 1962, Shelby created Shelby American, built the car in California, and called it Cobra—a name that reportedly came to him in a dream. Early cars used Ford 260 and later 289 cubic-inch V8s. They won on track, but the later 427 iteration became the legend. The 427 arrived in 1965 and was a different beast altogether.



🏁 Performance That Shook the Establishment

When automotive journalists tested the new 427 Cobra in 1965, they found something extraordinary. The car cost about $7,000 and weighed only 2,529 pounds. Under the hood, the 427 big-block produced 485 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque in competition form, with 425 horsepower in standard tune. A four-speed manual transmission sent all that fury to the rear wheels.

The numbers were staggering for the era:

Metric
1965 Shelby 427 Cobra

0–60 mph
4.3 seconds

0–100 mph–0
14.5 seconds

0–100 mph–0, Ken Miles
13.8 seconds

Quarter mile
12.2 seconds at 118 mph

Top speed
165 mph

Price when new
$7,000

Weight
2,529 pounds

Engine
Ford 427 FE V8

Power
425 hp standard, 485 hp competition

Torque
480 lb-ft

Transmission
4-speed manual

That 0–60 mph time would have been respectable for supercars well into the 2000s. The quarter-mile run made the Cobra one of the quickest street-legal machines of its day. And 165 mph was genuinely frightening in a lightweight roadster with minimal aerodynamics.



🔧 Chassis and Suspension Changes

The 427 was not simply an engine swap. Shelby's team made the frame tubing thicker. They replaced the transverse leaf springs—which some magazines criticized for making the car difficult to control on bumpy roads—with coil springs at all four corners. The 427 came in both street and competition versions. It was raw, loud, and demanding, but it worked.



⚔️ The Rivals: Corvette L88, Hemi Dart, and More

The Cobra did not exist in a vacuum. In the 1960s, the Chevrolet Corvette was evolving quickly. The L88 option, available across the C2 and C3 generations, brought a 7.0-liter 427 race V8, competition parts, and a distinct lack of luxuries such as air conditioning and a radio. One respected magazine quoted its quarter-mile time in the mid-to-high 11-second range. A silver L88-spec 1969 Corvette ran 11.44 seconds at the Pure Stock Drags event in 2011.

Yet the L88 was a thinly veiled competition car. It was hard to start when cold and notorious for overheating in traffic. The National Corvette Museum did not recommend it for street use. Standard Corvette 427s, by contrast, could complete the quarter mile in around 13 seconds.

Dodge also built 80 versions of the Hurst Hemi Dart LO23 Super Stock. It was street-legal and recorded a low-ten-second quarter-mile at roughly 130 mph, but it came with a disclaimer that it was only for drag racing or supervised acceleration trials. There was also the Hemi Barracuda Special Order with a race engine, estimated at a low ten-second quarter mile. On the street-legal side, the 440 Six-Pack 1969 Plymouth Road Runner A12 famously cleared the quarter mile in 12.91 seconds.



⚡ Modern Context: 2026 and Beyond

By 2026, supercars have rewritten the rules. In 2023, Car and Driver called the Ferrari 296 GTB the quickest rear-drive car it had ever tested. It hit 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and covered the quarter mile in 9.7 seconds at 150 mph. In 2022, a McMurtry Spéirling fan car reached 60 mph in 1.40 seconds and demolished the quarter mile in 7.97 seconds during filming.

Those figures make the 427 Cobra look almost tame. But context matters. The Cobra did its work with a manual transmission, skinny tires by modern standards, no traction control, no anti-lock brakes, and no electronic safety net. It asked the driver to be brave, precise, and perhaps a little reckless. That is why it still captures the imagination.



🏆 A Legend That Refuses to Fade

Decades later, cars like the Dodge Viper were still trying to capture the magic of this legendary American sports car. The 427 Cobra was not the easiest car to live with, and it was not cheap. It was, however, a brilliant blend of British lightness and American muscle. In the 1960s, it could beat almost anything over a quarter mile. In 2026, it remains a benchmark for raw, unfiltered performance.

The Cobra's story is a reminder that great cars are not always the product of a single tradition. Sometimes, the best ideas come from a strange combination—a dainty British roadster, a massive Ford V8, and a Texan with a dream. The result was a machine that left rivals in the dust and never really left the spotlight. 🐍🏁

For most enthusiasts, the closest they will ever come to a 427 Cobra at full throttle is behind the wheel of a racing simulator. Titles like Gran Turismo, Forza, and Assetto Corsa have turned quarter-mile bragging rights into something you can chase from the couch, with tire models, gearing, and weight transfer simulated down to details that would have seemed like science fiction in 1966. The hobby has grown well beyond the screen, too, as rigs, wheels, and pedals have become their own branch of car culture.

That kind of setup does not come cheap, though, and prices on titles and peripherals swing constantly. DealNest was built for exactly that problem, gathering discounts on games, hardware, and accessories into one place so you can spot a good price before it disappears. Whether you are rebuilding a library of classic racing sims or hunting for something new to test your reflexes, it is worth checking what is on offer — a quick look at the game deals today can save you enough to put toward that next upgrade.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=26 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:44:12 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=26


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, definitely not, but at least you will have Styx.

Surviving a place like Sinner's Road is as much about patience as it is about reflexes, and the same mindset applies when you are hunting for a good bargain. Whether you are stockpiling gaming gear, accessories, or just looking for something to soften the sting of a long session, it helps to have a spot that cuts through the clutter instead of wasting your time. That is exactly the approach DealNest takes, gathering worthwhile offers in one place so you can spend less time scrolling and more time actually playing.]]>


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, definitely not, but at least you will have Styx.

Surviving a place like Sinner's Road is as much about patience as it is about reflexes, and the same mindset applies when you are hunting for a good bargain. Whether you are stockpiling gaming gear, accessories, or just looking for something to soften the sting of a long session, it helps to have a spot that cuts through the clutter instead of wasting your time. That is exactly the approach DealNest takes, gathering worthwhile offers in one place so you can spend less time scrolling and more time actually playing.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=25 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 04:29:27 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=25


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.]]>


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.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=24 Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:23:19 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=24


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 monument to good intentions and I would rather spend the savings on a game I will actually finish.

It is also a small mercy when a title you were unsure about drops below the threshold where the frustration stops mattering. A hard game at full price feels like a gamble. The same hard game at a discount feels like a challenge you chose. Either way, check the numbers before you hand over your rosaries.]]>


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 monument to good intentions and I would rather spend the savings on a game I will actually finish.

It is also a small mercy when a title you were unsure about drops below the threshold where the frustration stops mattering. A hard game at full price feels like a gamble. The same hard game at a discount feels like a challenge you chose. Either way, check the numbers before you hand over your rosaries.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=23 Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:48:38 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=23 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.]]> 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.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=22 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 21:36:31 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=22


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.]]>


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.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=21 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 20:49:10 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=21
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.]]>
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.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=20 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 14:25:50 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=20
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.

Plinney: A pinmaster who protected himself in his shop. He sharpens Hornet's needle for free and offers a location for pin oil within The Citadel in a new wish request.

Scrounge: A relic seeker who requests any relic with Pharloom history. Return anytime to grow their collection and learn about each item.

Sherma's Return: Sherma made it to Bellhart, unaffected by the curse and cheerful as ever. You can perform with your Needolin alongside him and Pavo nearby.





With the residents free, I unlocked a new achievement called Fanatic and gained a new main town area to frequent. Now I can progress to the rest of the game. If you're stuck on the Silken Curse, I hope this guide helps you free Bellhart and enjoy the vibrant community that emerges. Happy hunting! 🎮

That same patience you practice while waiting for the right opening in a boss fight pays off outside of Pharloom too. Anyone who hunts down gear, collectibles, or a long-awaited game on sale knows the feeling of watching a price for weeks before finally pulling the trigger — and it's a lot easier when something else does the watching for you.

If you'd rather not refresh store pages by hand, this price tracking tool from DealNest keeps an eye on listings and lets you know when the number actually drops, so you can spend your time playing instead of comparison shopping. Whether you're restocking your setup between sessions or waiting out a discount on that one title you've been eyeing, it's a handy companion for anyone who likes to buy smart.]]>
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.

Plinney: A pinmaster who protected himself in his shop. He sharpens Hornet's needle for free and offers a location for pin oil within The Citadel in a new wish request.

Scrounge: A relic seeker who requests any relic with Pharloom history. Return anytime to grow their collection and learn about each item.

Sherma's Return: Sherma made it to Bellhart, unaffected by the curse and cheerful as ever. You can perform with your Needolin alongside him and Pavo nearby.





With the residents free, I unlocked a new achievement called Fanatic and gained a new main town area to frequent. Now I can progress to the rest of the game. If you're stuck on the Silken Curse, I hope this guide helps you free Bellhart and enjoy the vibrant community that emerges. Happy hunting! 🎮

That same patience you practice while waiting for the right opening in a boss fight pays off outside of Pharloom too. Anyone who hunts down gear, collectibles, or a long-awaited game on sale knows the feeling of watching a price for weeks before finally pulling the trigger — and it's a lot easier when something else does the watching for you.

If you'd rather not refresh store pages by hand, this price tracking tool from DealNest keeps an eye on listings and lets you know when the number actually drops, so you can spend your time playing instead of comparison shopping. Whether you're restocking your setup between sessions or waiting out a discount on that one title you've been eyeing, it's a handy companion for anyone who likes to buy smart.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=19 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 12:38:51 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=19


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.]]>


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.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=18 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 09:54:55 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=18


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.]]>


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.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=17 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 03:35:12 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=17
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

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 physical editions, indie bundles, and sales that vanish as quickly as a well-timed dash, keeping tabs on every price drop can feel like its own side quest. That’s where DealNest can help, making it easier to spot worthwhile offers without scrolling through endless store pages.

Whether you’re chasing a specific Metroidvania or simply want to explore more beautifully animated games without overspending, a little deal-hunting can stretch your gaming budget further. It’s a practical companion for anyone who loves this corner of the medium and wants to spend less time refreshing storefronts and more time playing.]]>
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

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 physical editions, indie bundles, and sales that vanish as quickly as a well-timed dash, keeping tabs on every price drop can feel like its own side quest. That’s where DealNest can help, making it easier to spot worthwhile offers without scrolling through endless store pages.

Whether you’re chasing a specific Metroidvania or simply want to explore more beautifully animated games without overspending, a little deal-hunting can stretch your gaming budget further. It’s a practical companion for anyone who loves this corner of the medium and wants to spend less time refreshing storefronts and more time playing.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=16 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 02:54:20 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=16


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.]]>


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.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=15 Sun, 20 Sep 2026 02:32:35 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=15
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 humility to use a dirty trick when the honest one will not work. 🎼

Come prepared. Come stubborn. And do not forget the Tacks.

That same instinct — scouting the map before committing, hoarding resources, refusing to pay full price for something you can outsmart — tends to follow players out of the arena and into their libraries. Anyone who enjoys a game that punishes sloppy preparation usually ends up with a long wishlist and a short budget, which makes the hunt for a bargain almost a second hobby. Waiting for the right moment to buy, the way you'd wait for the right moment to spend a Tack, is its own kind of discipline.

If that sounds familiar, DealNest is built for exactly that mindset. It gathers best game deals in one place, so instead of refreshing a dozen store pages between attempts, you can see what's actually worth grabbing and get back to the fight. Come prepared, come stubborn — and come with a little money left over for the next challenge.]]>
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 humility to use a dirty trick when the honest one will not work. 🎼

Come prepared. Come stubborn. And do not forget the Tacks.

That same instinct — scouting the map before committing, hoarding resources, refusing to pay full price for something you can outsmart — tends to follow players out of the arena and into their libraries. Anyone who enjoys a game that punishes sloppy preparation usually ends up with a long wishlist and a short budget, which makes the hunt for a bargain almost a second hobby. Waiting for the right moment to buy, the way you'd wait for the right moment to spend a Tack, is its own kind of discipline.

If that sounds familiar, DealNest is built for exactly that mindset. It gathers best game deals in one place, so instead of refreshing a dozen store pages between attempts, you can see what's actually worth grabbing and get back to the fight. Come prepared, come stubborn — and come with a little money left over for the next challenge.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=14 Sat, 19 Sep 2026 13:58:16 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=14
First things first: Silk Skills are Hornet’s bread and butter. They cost Silk, and the very first one you get is the Silkspear—required to free the Bell Beast. After that, it’s every bug for themselves. Rune Rage is one of those optional skills that can easily slip through the cracks if you’re not paying attention. It’s not tied to the main quest, so you could finish the game without ever knowing it exists. But where’s the fun in that?

So, how do you get Rune Rage? Simple: beat the First Sinner in The Slab. Yeah, I know, “simple” is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. The First Sinner is a tough cookie, but the payoff is worth it. Rune Rage summons multiple runes that pop up randomly on screen, then explode after a short delay. It’s fantastic when you’re swarmed by enemies bouncing around like popcorn. That said, because the runes appear randomly, it’s not exactly a precision tool. Sometimes it’s a hit, sometimes it’s a miss—such is life.

To use Rune Rage, just press the right button for your platform:

Platform
Button

PC
F

PlayStation
R1

Xbox
RB

And here’s a pro tip: you can pair it with other Silk Skills if you equip the Shaman Crest. Mixing and matching? That’s my kind of chaos.

Now, the journey to the First Sinner is a bit of a maze. You’ll need the Key of Apostate first. I found mine after some serious snooping, but once you have it, head to The Slab’s Bellway. Go up to the room above it, and you’ll spot a lock that’s begging for that key. Open it, and you’re in.

From there, it’s exploration time. But if you want to skip the scenic route, here’s the path I took:

Climb down until you see an opening to the right.

Go right, climb up, then go right again until you find a spot to descend.

Head down, and you’ll spot a bell cage with chains locking it shut.

When you inspect that bell, you get a chilling prompt: “Penitent, First of the First. Guilty of the sin of apostasy. Penance by constriction. Absolution denied.” Talk about a warm welcome. Curiosity got the better of me—as it always does—so I broke the locks and set the prisoner free.

Big mistake? Maybe. Because out comes the First Sinner, and they are not happy. The boss fight is intense. There are plenty of rooms to dodge into, but the First Sinner is quick and hits like a truck. I can’t tell you how many times I got clipped by those fast attacks. But after a few tries—okay, more than a few—I finally took them down.

Once defeated, you get a prompt to “Accept.” Don’t be scared. Accepting rewards you with the Rune Rage Silk Skill—the exact same ability the First Sinner used against you. Poetic justice, if you ask me.

So there you have it. Rune Rage is a beast of a skill, perfect for crowd control, even if it’s a bit unpredictable. Just remember: patience, practice, and a whole lot of Silk. Now go out there and show Pharloom what you’re made of.

Happy hunting! 🕷️

Speaking of hunting, chasing down hidden skills like Rune Rage is exactly the kind of thing that keeps me coming back to games like this—there's always one more secret tucked away behind a locked door. If your backlog is anything like mine, though, the real challenge is finding the time (and the budget) to play everything worth playing, especially when new releases keep landing week after week.

That's why I usually keep a tab on game deals today open while I play, so I can grab the next title on my wishlist without paying full price. DealNest rounds up the discounts in one place, which beats refreshing a dozen store pages every time a sale supposedly starts. Stock up cheap, then get back to the boss fights—Pharloom isn't going to explore itself.]]>
First things first: Silk Skills are Hornet’s bread and butter. They cost Silk, and the very first one you get is the Silkspear—required to free the Bell Beast. After that, it’s every bug for themselves. Rune Rage is one of those optional skills that can easily slip through the cracks if you’re not paying attention. It’s not tied to the main quest, so you could finish the game without ever knowing it exists. But where’s the fun in that?

So, how do you get Rune Rage? Simple: beat the First Sinner in The Slab. Yeah, I know, “simple” is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. The First Sinner is a tough cookie, but the payoff is worth it. Rune Rage summons multiple runes that pop up randomly on screen, then explode after a short delay. It’s fantastic when you’re swarmed by enemies bouncing around like popcorn. That said, because the runes appear randomly, it’s not exactly a precision tool. Sometimes it’s a hit, sometimes it’s a miss—such is life.

To use Rune Rage, just press the right button for your platform:

Platform
Button

PC
F

PlayStation
R1

Xbox
RB

And here’s a pro tip: you can pair it with other Silk Skills if you equip the Shaman Crest. Mixing and matching? That’s my kind of chaos.

Now, the journey to the First Sinner is a bit of a maze. You’ll need the Key of Apostate first. I found mine after some serious snooping, but once you have it, head to The Slab’s Bellway. Go up to the room above it, and you’ll spot a lock that’s begging for that key. Open it, and you’re in.

From there, it’s exploration time. But if you want to skip the scenic route, here’s the path I took:

Climb down until you see an opening to the right.

Go right, climb up, then go right again until you find a spot to descend.

Head down, and you’ll spot a bell cage with chains locking it shut.

When you inspect that bell, you get a chilling prompt: “Penitent, First of the First. Guilty of the sin of apostasy. Penance by constriction. Absolution denied.” Talk about a warm welcome. Curiosity got the better of me—as it always does—so I broke the locks and set the prisoner free.

Big mistake? Maybe. Because out comes the First Sinner, and they are not happy. The boss fight is intense. There are plenty of rooms to dodge into, but the First Sinner is quick and hits like a truck. I can’t tell you how many times I got clipped by those fast attacks. But after a few tries—okay, more than a few—I finally took them down.

Once defeated, you get a prompt to “Accept.” Don’t be scared. Accepting rewards you with the Rune Rage Silk Skill—the exact same ability the First Sinner used against you. Poetic justice, if you ask me.

So there you have it. Rune Rage is a beast of a skill, perfect for crowd control, even if it’s a bit unpredictable. Just remember: patience, practice, and a whole lot of Silk. Now go out there and show Pharloom what you’re made of.

Happy hunting! 🕷️

Speaking of hunting, chasing down hidden skills like Rune Rage is exactly the kind of thing that keeps me coming back to games like this—there's always one more secret tucked away behind a locked door. If your backlog is anything like mine, though, the real challenge is finding the time (and the budget) to play everything worth playing, especially when new releases keep landing week after week.

That's why I usually keep a tab on game deals today open while I play, so I can grab the next title on my wishlist without paying full price. DealNest rounds up the discounts in one place, which beats refreshing a dozen store pages every time a sale supposedly starts. Stock up cheap, then get back to the boss fights—Pharloom isn't going to explore itself.]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=13 Sat, 19 Sep 2026 11:47:02 +0000 xtameembb]]> https://forum.nanobyte.dev/showthread.php?tid=13


What the Multibinder Actually Does ⚔️

When equipped, Multibinder replaces Hornet's default 3-mask heal with a 4-mask heal for the same amount of Silk. That sounds like a straight upgrade, right? Not so fast. It nearly doubles the time it takes for the healing animation to finish. Worse, it locks Hornet in place for the entire duration, and you cannot cancel the animation midway. If you're used to quick panic heals, this thing will feel like trying to park a bus in a tight alley.

The heal isn't delivered all at once. Multibinder heals 2 masks twice in quick succession, one after the other. So you get a first chunk, then a second chunk. That two-part structure is the key to understanding its value.

Feature
Default Bind
Multibinder

Masks healed
3
4

Silk cost
Same
Same

Animation length
Baseline
Nearly double

Can cancel?
No
No

Heal split
Single 3-mask heal
Two 2-mask heals

Interruption result
0 or 3 masks
0, 2, or 4 masks



The Hidden Advantage: 0, 2, or 4 💡

Here's where Multibinder earns its keep. Because the heals are separated into two parts, if you get interrupted during the second 2-mask heal, the first 2-mask heal still counts. That means you end up with either 0 heals, 2 heals, or 4 heals. Compare that to Hornet's default healing: if you're interrupted during the Bind animation, the whole thing is nullified. You get either 0 or 3 heals. No in-between.

In a tough boss fight, that in-between can be the difference between life and death. I've had moments against aggressive bosses where I knew I couldn't finish a full default heal, but Multibinder's first 2-mask chunk landed before a hit connected. It's not pretty, but it's a safety net. For defensive players, this is the whole ballgame. I also noticed that the first 2-mask heal comes out faster than the default 3-mask heal, which means you can sometimes sneak in a partial heal when the boss gives you just a sliver of breathing room. Your mileage may vary, but that alone has saved my bacon more than once.

Best Pairing: Warding Bell 🛡️

Multibinder is situational, and it shows its value best when you pair it with the right Tools. The Warding Bell is an early-game Tool that is very easy to get, and it pairs extremely well with Multibinder.

Warding Bell protects Hornet from taking damage while healing, but it does not stop the healing from being interrupted. That sounds like a mismatch, but it's actually a match made in heaven. As mentioned, Multibinder heals in two parts. If you're interrupted during the second part, Warding Bell protects you from damage while still letting the first 2-mask heal register. And because Multibinder's initial 2-mask heal is faster than the default 3-mask heal, you get a real chance to restore health in situations where you otherwise would've been interrupted.

In plain English: Warding Bell buys you the time to get the first chunk, and Multibinder makes that first chunk count. It's a solid one-two punch for players who like to play defensively. If you're the kind of player who blocks first and asks questions later, this combo is right up your alley.

The 880-Rosary Question 💰

Now for the elephant in the room: the price. Multibinder costs 880 Rosaries from the Bellhart vendor.

Farming 800+ Rosaries in the early game is possible, but it requires a significant time investment. If you're not immediately planning to use Multibinder in your build, it's hard to justify spending that much. I've seen players blow their entire savings on it and then realize they prefer a more aggressive playstyle. That's a kick in the teeth. You don't want to drop nearly a thousand Rosaries on a Tool that sits in your inventory collecting dust.

Since better farming locations open up as you progress through Silksong, it makes sense to wait until at least Act 2 to purchase the Multibinder. The Bellhart vendor will keep all of their stock up for sale throughout a playthrough, so there's no rush. You won't miss out by waiting. In 2026, with more guides and community testing available, the consensus is still that this is a situational pickup, not a must-buy. Take that with a grain of salt if you're a diehard defensive player, but for most folks, patience pays off.

Should You Buy the Multibinder? 🤔

If you're a defensive player who loves outlasting bosses and you already have Warding Bell, then yes, Multibinder can be worth the 880 Rosaries. It gives you a 4-mask heal, a safer interruption outcome, and a strong synergy with Warding Bell. For certain boss encounters, that extra cushion is no joke. It can turn a chaotic fight into a war of attrition that you actually win.

But if you're a rushdown player who rarely blocks and prefers dodging to healing, skip it. The longer animation will get you killed more often than it saves you. And if you're early in the game and strapped for Rosaries, wait until Act 2. There's no shame in putting it on the back burner.

Final verdict: Multibinder is a niche Tool with a high price tag. It's not a trap, but it's not a golden ticket either. For the right build, it's a lifesaver. For everyone else, it's a shiny blue Tool that can sit in the vendor's inventory until you're ready. And in Silksong, being patient is often the best upgrade of all.

The same patience that pays off when saving Rosaries for Multibinder applies to real-world gaming purchases, too. Whether you're waiting for a sale on Silksong itself or hunting for a deal on a new controller, timing is everything.

That's where this price tracking tool comes in. DealNest monitors prices across popular retailers so you can see when that game or accessory you've been eyeing finally drops to a price you're happy with. No more guessing whether a discount is worth it—just set your target and let it do the watching.]]>


What the Multibinder Actually Does ⚔️

When equipped, Multibinder replaces Hornet's default 3-mask heal with a 4-mask heal for the same amount of Silk. That sounds like a straight upgrade, right? Not so fast. It nearly doubles the time it takes for the healing animation to finish. Worse, it locks Hornet in place for the entire duration, and you cannot cancel the animation midway. If you're used to quick panic heals, this thing will feel like trying to park a bus in a tight alley.

The heal isn't delivered all at once. Multibinder heals 2 masks twice in quick succession, one after the other. So you get a first chunk, then a second chunk. That two-part structure is the key to understanding its value.

Feature
Default Bind
Multibinder

Masks healed
3
4

Silk cost
Same
Same

Animation length
Baseline
Nearly double

Can cancel?
No
No

Heal split
Single 3-mask heal
Two 2-mask heals

Interruption result
0 or 3 masks
0, 2, or 4 masks



The Hidden Advantage: 0, 2, or 4 💡

Here's where Multibinder earns its keep. Because the heals are separated into two parts, if you get interrupted during the second 2-mask heal, the first 2-mask heal still counts. That means you end up with either 0 heals, 2 heals, or 4 heals. Compare that to Hornet's default healing: if you're interrupted during the Bind animation, the whole thing is nullified. You get either 0 or 3 heals. No in-between.

In a tough boss fight, that in-between can be the difference between life and death. I've had moments against aggressive bosses where I knew I couldn't finish a full default heal, but Multibinder's first 2-mask chunk landed before a hit connected. It's not pretty, but it's a safety net. For defensive players, this is the whole ballgame. I also noticed that the first 2-mask heal comes out faster than the default 3-mask heal, which means you can sometimes sneak in a partial heal when the boss gives you just a sliver of breathing room. Your mileage may vary, but that alone has saved my bacon more than once.

Best Pairing: Warding Bell 🛡️

Multibinder is situational, and it shows its value best when you pair it with the right Tools. The Warding Bell is an early-game Tool that is very easy to get, and it pairs extremely well with Multibinder.

Warding Bell protects Hornet from taking damage while healing, but it does not stop the healing from being interrupted. That sounds like a mismatch, but it's actually a match made in heaven. As mentioned, Multibinder heals in two parts. If you're interrupted during the second part, Warding Bell protects you from damage while still letting the first 2-mask heal register. And because Multibinder's initial 2-mask heal is faster than the default 3-mask heal, you get a real chance to restore health in situations where you otherwise would've been interrupted.

In plain English: Warding Bell buys you the time to get the first chunk, and Multibinder makes that first chunk count. It's a solid one-two punch for players who like to play defensively. If you're the kind of player who blocks first and asks questions later, this combo is right up your alley.

The 880-Rosary Question 💰

Now for the elephant in the room: the price. Multibinder costs 880 Rosaries from the Bellhart vendor.

Farming 800+ Rosaries in the early game is possible, but it requires a significant time investment. If you're not immediately planning to use Multibinder in your build, it's hard to justify spending that much. I've seen players blow their entire savings on it and then realize they prefer a more aggressive playstyle. That's a kick in the teeth. You don't want to drop nearly a thousand Rosaries on a Tool that sits in your inventory collecting dust.

Since better farming locations open up as you progress through Silksong, it makes sense to wait until at least Act 2 to purchase the Multibinder. The Bellhart vendor will keep all of their stock up for sale throughout a playthrough, so there's no rush. You won't miss out by waiting. In 2026, with more guides and community testing available, the consensus is still that this is a situational pickup, not a must-buy. Take that with a grain of salt if you're a diehard defensive player, but for most folks, patience pays off.

Should You Buy the Multibinder? 🤔

If you're a defensive player who loves outlasting bosses and you already have Warding Bell, then yes, Multibinder can be worth the 880 Rosaries. It gives you a 4-mask heal, a safer interruption outcome, and a strong synergy with Warding Bell. For certain boss encounters, that extra cushion is no joke. It can turn a chaotic fight into a war of attrition that you actually win.

But if you're a rushdown player who rarely blocks and prefers dodging to healing, skip it. The longer animation will get you killed more often than it saves you. And if you're early in the game and strapped for Rosaries, wait until Act 2. There's no shame in putting it on the back burner.

Final verdict: Multibinder is a niche Tool with a high price tag. It's not a trap, but it's not a golden ticket either. For the right build, it's a lifesaver. For everyone else, it's a shiny blue Tool that can sit in the vendor's inventory until you're ready. And in Silksong, being patient is often the best upgrade of all.

The same patience that pays off when saving Rosaries for Multibinder applies to real-world gaming purchases, too. Whether you're waiting for a sale on Silksong itself or hunting for a deal on a new controller, timing is everything.

That's where this price tracking tool comes in. DealNest monitors prices across popular retailers so you can see when that game or accessory you've been eyeing finally drops to a price you're happy with. No more guessing whether a discount is worth it—just set your target and let it do the watching.]]>