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  Hollow Knight: Silksong Finally Made Me Love Metroidvania Combat
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-10-2026, 06:46 PM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

Combat is my love language. Whether I'm blasting Covenant in Halo, timing parries in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or flowing through a room of goons in Batman: Arkham, I stick with games because the fights feel good. I can forgive a mediocre story if the combat sings. I cannot forgive a masterpiece that makes me feel like I'm swinging a pool noodle. So when Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrived, I wasn't daydreaming about lore or biomes. I was here for the violence. In 2026, after years of waiting, I can finally say it: Silksong's combat has its hooks in me, and I am not asking for help.

[Image: 6ac830fec2609a8eacb053d2b1ihchQB07]

I have always been a little scared of Metroidvanias. The open maps, the backtracking, the 'where was that one cracked wall from four hours ago' feeling — my brain just blue-screens. If a Metroidvania doesn't grab me with its mechanics, I'm gone. The original Hollow Knight, great as it is, almost lost me. Its art, enemies, and lore are legendary. Its combat, though? Floaty. Simple. In those first few hours, before movement abilities, fights boiled down to hitting one attack button, stepping away from danger, and pogoing off enemies like a very goth trampoline. It worked. It just didn't make me lean forward in my chair.

Silksong's Tool System Is The Build Diversity I Craved

Silksong fixes that within its opening hours. The tool system is the big reason. You get red, blue, and yellow slots early, and each color does a different job. Red tools are usually offensive toys like throwing knives. Blue tools give passive buffs, such as faster silk regeneration. Yellow tools often help with exploration. Suddenly I'm not just Hornet; I'm Hornet with a curated little murder kit.

Tool Color
Main Role
My Favorite Use

Red
Offense
Throwing knives when I panic

Blue
Passive buffs
Faster silk regen for healing

Yellow
Exploration
Finding secrets I definitely missed

[Image: 6ac83106e53e9f1746e5cdedUwhccM6C07]

This is the depth I wanted in 2017. And it gets better with Crests. Crests change Hornet's moveset and offer different tool slot combinations. They don't just nudge numbers; they alter how you play. The new diagonal air attack, which I initially side-eyed, starts to feel natural once you find the right Crest. Build diversity in a Metroidvania? Don't @ me, but it's about time.

[Image: 6ac83112ef919f317a3e5d83m9MzCvW007]

Movement Abilities Make Every Fight A Dance

Within the first few hours, you will likely unlock Swift Step and Drifter's Cloak. Swift Step lets you sprint and dodge. Drifter's Cloak lets you glide for a few seconds. On paper, that sounds like standard platformer stuff. In combat, it is transformative. Bosses love to dash around like they drank twelve espressos, and these abilities let me close gaps or hover above the chaos. I stop feeling like a tourist and start feeling like a predator.

[Image: 6ac8311535aac925408f2afcExzKpPli07]

The parry has also received an upgrade. I still find it a bit too risky to spam, because I enjoy having health, but the seemingly larger window encourages me to actually try. When I nail a parry, I feel like a genius. When I miss, I feel like a bug who has made poor life choices. That risk-reward tension keeps every encounter spicy.

Why Silksong's Combat Finally Clicked For Me

The magic is that all these systems are present early. You don't have to beat half the game before combat becomes interesting. Tools, Crests, Swift Step, Drifter's Cloak, and a friendlier parry combine to make moment-to-moment gameplay riveting. Even when I'm being pulverized repeatedly by the Savage Beast Fly's RNG army, I'm not bored. I'm annoyed in the best way. I'm learning. I'm swapping tools. I'm trying a new Crest. I'm not crying, you're crying.

[Image: 6ac831183de234adce3c02eeFMWiRwyb07]

Hollow Knight: Silksong did not just give me a new world to explore. It gave me combat that respects my time and my thumbs. It turned a genre I usually admire from a distance into something I want to master. In 2026, with so many games fighting for my attention, that is a rare and beautiful thing. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Savage Beast Fly to bully, and this time I have knives.

Of course, all this combat mastery is only half the battle — the other half is actually affording the games you want to play. Between new releases, lingering sales, and the occasional impulse buy, keeping track of what's actually a good deal can feel like its own boss fight. That's where a game price tracker like DealNest comes in handy — it monitors prices across stores so you can spend less time refreshing pages and more time actually playing.

Whether you're hunting for a deal on the original Hollow Knight, waiting for Silksong's first discount, or just building a backlog you'll never finish, having a reliable price tracker means more money for the games you actually want to play. And after the beating Silksong's bosses have given me, I could use a win that doesn't involve a parry. If you're similarly budget-conscious, it's worth a look.

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  Mastering DBZ Kakarot's Cooking Board: Level 10 Meta Guide for 2026
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-10-2026, 11:34 AM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

I've spent the last few weeks grinding through DBZ Kakarot's late-game content on my Master Edition save, and I kept running into the same problem: my meal buffs would expire way too fast, and I'd rarely see a Great Success. That all changed when I finally maxed out my Cooking Community Board to Level 10. If you're still sitting at Rank 9 or below, you're literally leaving half of your cooking potential on the table. In this news-style breakdown, I'll share exactly how I hit 750 points, which Soul Emblems to use, and why this optimization is non-negotiable for any Full Course Meta build in 2026.

[Image: 6ac03103ea800f608de427a78Q1Duyb207]

What Level 10 Actually Unlocks (The Three Buffs Explained)

Doubling meal power isn't a myth. Hitting Community Level 10 (750 points) simultaneously activates three endgame bonuses: +100% meal effect, +100% duration, and 100% Great Success rate. For example, a standard 3-minute +10% Melee ATK meal transforms into a 6-minute +20% wrecking ball, plus you get extra stat boosts from Great Success every single time. Progress toward Level 10 helps, but only maxing the board flips those key multipliers. I've confirmed with other players and my own testing that these thresholds and caps remain unchanged since the Daima update and patch 2.10+. No further tweaks have been made, so this is the stable meta for late 2026 and beyond.

Best-in-Slot Soul Emblems for the Cooking Board

Prioritize Chi-Chi as your central anchor. She's mandatory because she has the highest natural Cooking cap and triggers Son Family links. Only slot emblems with a Cooking stat cap of 25-30. Here's my curated list:

Emblem
Cooking Cap
Notes

Chi-Chi
30
Must-have anchor

Ox-King
28
Father-daughter link

Videl
27
Justice Lovers

Lunch
26
Household Help

Puar
25
Shape-shifters

Turtle
25
Turtle's Student

Mr. Satan
25
Justice Family

Pan (Child)
30
DLC exclusive

Daima Goku
30
DLC exclusive

Daima Vegeta
30
DLC exclusive

Newcomers often waste slots on Goku due to confusion—his Cooking cap trails far below Videl or Lunch. I've proven this with board stats and community tests since v2.10. For Master or Daima Edition owners, DLC emblems consistently reach Cooking caps of 25–30, making them essential in all high-efficiency layouts.

Link Bonuses That Spike Your Point Total Fast

Stacking Link Bonuses is the secret sauce. Whenever two compatible Soul Emblems are adjacent, flat +2 point bonuses kick in under themed names. Here are the key links I use:

Son Family: Chi-Chi + Goku + Gohan (anchor chain)

Father and Daughter: Ox-King + Chi-Chi (direct connection)

Justice Lovers / Family: Videl + Gohan + Mr. Satan (side branch)

Household Help: Lunch + Tien/Roshi (utility branch)

Shape-shifters: Puar + Yamcha/Oolong (outer node)

Turtle's Student: Turtle + Roshi (periphery)

Spatial optimization matters: anchor Chi-Chi dead center, attach Ox-King directly, spread Videl's links left, and push utility emblems outward to maximize synergies without breaking core chains. Missing just one link typically costs enough points to drop you to Rank 9. I always verify each chain before locking the layout.

Step-by-Step Optimization: Gifts, Caps, and Awakening Water

To reach the key 750-point threshold, follow these steps exactly as I did:

Open the Soul Emblem menu and select each core emblem.

Apply "Secrets of Success: Cooking" gifts to raise each Cooking stat cap. Check the post-gift cap—it must hit 25+ for top-tier emblems.

Feed food gifts like Box of Milk or Premium Meat to push the current Cooking rank to the new cap.

Slot emblems strategically for maximum Link Bonuses (as outlined above).

If you're still shy of 750 points after gift optimization, use Awakening Water (obtainable in late-game areas and Daima maps) to boost base Cooking stats directly. After final adjustments, confirm Level 10 status by visiting Chi-Chi or any cook—the Community Bonus panel will show +100% across Effect, Duration, and Success in green before you commit any meal.

Getting the Most from Your Setup: Edition and Access Notes

DLC-exclusive emblems (Pan Child, Daima Goku, Daima Vegeta) allow consistent Cooking caps of 25–30, locked behind Season Pass 2, Season Pass 3, or the Daima pack. Players running Standard Edition must compensate with more aggressive gift-farming and link stacking. With the game settled into its final support phase as of late 2026, Level 10 setups are definitive—no future patches are expected to change Community Board mechanics or point caps.

As a practical step, I always check the Steam store page for DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT to see edition bundles and contents. For cost-efficient access to the full emblem roster, veteran min-maxers consistently find that third-party key comparison sites offer the quickest route to the Master or Daima Edition for full Cooking Board optimization. But honestly, if you're serious about doubling your meal buffs, the investment is worth it.

? Final tip: Always confirm your Level 10 status before cooking a Full Course meal. I've wasted too many ingredients by forgetting to check. Now go out there and turn every meal into a feast.

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  Silksong Bilewater Map Guide: Find Shakra, Buy the Map, Survive the Poison
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-10-2026, 10:53 AM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

I still remember my first real trip into Bilewater in Hollow Knight: Silksong. I did not sip the water, obviously, because one sip would probably melt Hornet's mask from the inside out. Even in 2026, after countless route videos and patch tweaks, Bilewater remains one of the easiest places to get hopelessly lost in. The water is poison, the maggots are always hungry, and they chew through Hornet's Silk like termites in a wooden church. Fewer skills, fewer heals, more panic. If you are tired of wandering in circles, here is how I find the Bilewater map in Silksong and buy it from Shakra.

Why the Bilewater map matters

Bilewater is not a small side room. It is a large, ugly, sprawling area, and the poison does more than tick damage. The maggots in the water eat away at Hornet's Silk, which makes it harder to use skills or regenerate masks. That combination turns every wrong turn into a slow death spiral. A map is not a luxury here. It is a lantern in a cave of bad decisions.

The catch is that Shakra will not sell you the Bilewater map right away. You can only buy it after obtaining the Faydown Cloak, the double jump ability. In the early game, Bilewater is only accessed from Sinner's Road, and without double jump, you can reach Shakra's area but not fully explore beyond it. Even if you somehow cheese your way up to her, the rest of Bilewater requires the Faydown Cloak to explore further and access the next area.

Getting to Shakra step by step

From the Bilewater entrance through Sinner's Road, go right across the cage and into the next room. Keep going right while avoiding the water. Some platforms are guarded by enemies, and some ropes will trigger traps if you cut them. Be careful. Treat those ropes like tripwires in a minefield: if you do not need to slash them, do not slash them.

Stay in the same direction until you can jump onto a cage to go up to a higher platform. Jump across the platforms filled with traps, then go up by clinging to the walls. Keep climbing while avoiding the enemies until you eventually find a platform to the left. The door there leads to the next room.

Use the cage as leverage to jump left and proceed ahead. The goal is to keep going left until you start seeing Shakra's signature rings. They are like breadcrumbs in a haunted forest, except these breadcrumbs hum with merchant energy.

Eventually, Hornet will reach the end of the path, and above her will be a narrow tunnel full of Shakra's rings. One small problem early-game players might face is that they cannot reach the tunnel unless they possess the Faydown Cloak, aka the double jump. Even if somehow they managed to jump up, the rest of Bilewater requires that ability to explore further and access the next area.

Open the Bellway and rest first

Once the tunnel appears, do not rush straight up. First, go left and follow the sign to open the Bellway and rest on a bench in Bilewater. This is important. If you die later, and you probably will, that bench becomes your lifeline instead of a long, poisonous walk of shame.

After that, use the double jump to cling to the tunnel's walls and go up. Double jump again and aim Clawline on the right side to land on the platform and avoid the spikes. Next, use the green bulbs to go higher and climb the platform to the right. Shakra will be waiting inside, humming her usual tune. Speak with her to purchase the Bilewater Map for 90 Rosaries in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

What you get for 90 Rosaries

Once you buy the map, you can finally explore the areas you missed and figure out how to move on to the next one. In 2026, with so many players deep into Silksong, the Bilewater map is still one of the best purchases you can make. It costs 90 Rosaries, but it saves hours of confused backtracking.

Threat
Why it hurts
My counter

Poison water
Constant damage and panic
Platform carefully; never rush

Maggots
Eat Silk and reduce skills/heals
Kill from range or avoid entirely

Trap ropes
Trigger spikes or enemy ambushes
Do not cut suspicious ropes

Narrow tunnels
Require double jump and Clawline
Get Faydown Cloak first

Enemies on platforms
Knockback into poison
Clear or bait them before jumping

Final tips from my own Bilewater failures

Buy the map as soon as you have the Faydown Cloak and 90 Rosaries. Open the Bellway and bench before climbing to Shakra. Do not fight every enemy. Sometimes running past a problem is the correct strategy, especially when the floor is literal acid. And if you fall into the water, do not panic-jump. Panic-jumping is how you land in more water.

Bilewater is a maze that wants you to drown in your own confidence. The map turns that maze into a checklist. You will still die, but at least you will know where you died, why you died, and which poisonous corner to avoid next time. That is worth 90 Rosaries every single run.

If you are still deciding whether to pick up Silksong or fill the gaps in your library between runs, the price you pay matters as much as the route you take. Rather than checking the store page every other day and hoping for a discount, I started keeping a steam sale tracker open in a second tab, which quietly flags when wishlisted titles actually drop instead of leaving it to luck. It is the same habit that saved me from overpaying on the last few indie metroidvanias I bought, and it costs nothing to check.

That kind of patience pays off in games like this one, where a single misjudged purchase stings almost as much as a bad Clawline into spikes. Watch the price, wait for the dip, and spend the difference on Rosaries instead.

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  Sequels That Took Forever and Somehow Nailed It
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-10-2026, 03:47 AM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

Hi, my name is a person who has watched too many teaser trailers, and I have a problem: I believe release dates are suggestions. Sometimes games get announced way too early. A flashy logo appears at Nintendo Direct, The Game Awards, Gamescom, or the late, great E3, and suddenly I am emotionally invested in a project that will not be playable until my hairline has its own opinion. Marvel's Wolverine? Teased. Kingdom Hearts 4? Teased. The next Mass Effect? Teased, presumably, while we all stare at a nebula and pretend that counts as news. Who among us has not rewatched a 2021 trailer in 2026 and whispered, any day now, buddy?

But here is the thing: when a long-awaited sequel finally arrives and it is actually good, the wait can feel like a weird badge of honor. In 2026, we have plenty of evidence that patience sometimes pays off, and also plenty of evidence that I should maybe touch grass between announcements. Let us look at the sequels that made the suffering worth it.

Hollow Knight: Silksong: Six Years, One Very Fast Bug

Silksong was the poster child for waiting. Six years of development, endless memes, and a community that turned clown makeup into a lifestyle. But when it finally arrived, the early impressions were positive, and suddenly everyone was sprinting through the game to avoid spoilers like it was a race against the internet itself. Is it hard? Yes. Did some people debate the difficulty until their keyboards melted? Also yes. But the art style is a step up from the original, with brighter colors and more detailed animations. Hornet moves faster and more fluidly than The Knight, and the game is bigger. As a Metroidvania fan, I can confirm that this is the good kind of waiting: the kind where the sequel does not just repeat the first game but builds a shinier, scarier, more acrobatic throne on top of it.

Red Dead Redemption 2: Eight Years to Become a Cowboy

Red Dead Redemption 2 satisfied fans who had been craving a sequel since 2010. Eight years was a long time, but Rockstar used that time to make a world so big and detailed that I once spent twenty minutes watching Arthur Morgan brush a horse. The gameplay was more complex, the story was intense and heartfelt, and player choice could shape the experience. You could play it as a typical Rockstar story, or you could treat it as a Wild West simulator and live out your best cowboy days. Who needs therapy when you have a camp full of sad outlaws and a debt to society?

Alan Wake 2: Thirteen Years of Flashlight Therapy

Alan Wake came out in 2010, and Alan Wake 2 did not arrive until 2023. That is a long time to keep a flashlight charged. The game is short, but it is packed with great moments, music plays a big role like in many Remedy games, and the horror elements are genuinely terrifying in the dark. The gameplay is more open than fans expected, especially after the first game. The cliffhanger ending is brutal, but hopefully we will not wait another thirteen years for answers. I am not sure my nerves can handle another decade of shadowy trees.

Baldur's Gate 3: The Return Nobody Thought Was Possible

Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear was a 2016 expansion to Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition, which was a 2012 release. It was the last entry before Baldur's Gate 3 fully launched in 2023, but realistically fans had been waiting since 2000, when the second mainline game released. No one thought a sequel was possible, because many old developers had moved on. Then the franchise returned, grabbed a ridiculous amount of attention, and earned it. It was a groundbreaking return to form for CRPGs, and I say that as someone who rolled a natural 1 on patience.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Rebirth: A Trilogy of Teases

Final Fantasy 7 blew the lid off the PS1 in 1997. When Square Enix showed a tech demo of the opening on PS3 in 2005, fans got excited. That demo was never a real game, but that did not stop us from dreaming. Then, in 2015, the remake was announced for real. It hit a snag, but Final Fantasy 7 Remake released in 2020 as part of a trilogy. It may not be exactly what fans expected, but the action gameplay and story twists won people over. Rebirth was received even better. Is it weird to be emotionally attached to a remake of a game I already played? Yes. Is it also wonderful? Also yes.

Donkey Kong Bananza: DK Finally Got His Groove Back

Donkey Kong fans were not doing well for a decade. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was a 2014 Wii U game and the last entry in the series. Even though DK kicked off Mario's career in 1981, Mario became the cash cow. Then fans were rewarded in a way they could not have predicted with Donkey Kong Bananza. DK was back, better than ever, and this time in 3D with fully destructible environments. It was a new look and a new gameplay style, and that is exactly what helped it excel. Sometimes the monkey needs to smash everything to feel alive.

Kingdom Hearts 3: The Wait Was Full of Spin-Offs

Kingdom Hearts 2 released in 2006 in North America, one year after Japan. Kingdom Hearts 3 did not release until 2019, with spin-offs filling the gap, the last prominent one being 2012's Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance. Fans had portable games and HD collections, but it was not the same as a mainline console follow-up. Kingdom Hearts 3 was worth it, though, with fluid combat and camera controls that fixed so many PS2-era issues. Who knew that waiting over a decade would make a Keyblade feel like a family heirloom?

Psychonauts 2: The Sequel Nobody Expected

Psychonauts 2 is a game fans basically never thought would happen. Most Double Fine games are experimental one-offs and rarely become franchises. A decade after the original, a sequel was announced in 2015, which was shocking. Even then, it did not materialize until 2021. It felt like the game Double Fine wanted to make in 2005, with strange visual experiments and gameplay tricks only modern hardware could handle. The original was a cult hit, but Psychonauts 2 made itself known far and wide as something everyone should pay attention to.

The Waiting Table

Game
Wait
Worth It?

Hollow Knight: Silksong
6 years
Yes, if you like suffering beautifully

Red Dead Redemption 2
8 years
Yes, cowboy

Alan Wake 2
13 years
Yes, bring a flashlight

Baldur's Gate 3
23 years since BG2
Yes, critical success

Final Fantasy 7 Remake
23 years since original
Yes, in parts

Donkey Kong Bananza
11 years since Tropical Freeze
Yes, banana

Kingdom Hearts 3
13 years since KH2
Yes, mostly

Psychonauts 2
16 years since original
Yes, very much

So, what have we learned in 2026? Early announcements are emotional gambling. They are also sometimes worth it. A teaser can make us wait six, eight, or thirteen years, and if the sequel lands well, we forgive the silence. If it does not, we sharpen our pitchforks. But when a game like Silksong, Red Dead Redemption 2, Alan Wake 2, Baldur's Gate 3, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Donkey Kong Bananza, Kingdom Hearts 3, or Psychonauts 2 finally arrives and delivers, the wait becomes part of the story. And honestly? I will keep watching those trailers. I will keep whispering any day now. I will keep being a clown, because sometimes the circus is worth it. ?

All that patience and hype eventually leads to a purchase decision, though. When a long-delayed sequel finally arrives, you want to make sure your money goes as far as your excitement does—especially if you're also catching up on older entries in the series.

That's where a resource like DealNest comes in. It gathers deals from various storefronts so you can compare prices without hopping between tabs. Before you commit to that next adventure, take a moment to check game prices and see if you can start playing for less. After waiting years for a game, saving a few bucks feels like a bonus quest.

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  Hollow Knight Silksong: How Environmental Hazards and Tools Redefine Combat
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-09-2026, 02:33 PM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

Since its 2025 release, Hollow Knight: Silksong has been celebrated as one of the most daring sequels in the modern metroidvania space. Team Cherry could have simply given players more of the original Hollow Knight, but instead the studio embraced radical change and growth. The result is a game that feels both familiar and unmistakably new. In 2026, that willingness to evolve still stands out, especially in the way Silksong treats combat and level design. Hornet is not the silent Knight; she is a defined character with a voice, a past, and a far more acrobatic presence. Her journey through Pharloom is not just a retread. It is a rethinking. Many of the biggest differences were easy to predict from trailers and from Hornet's original appearance: fluid movement, aerial grace, and a more talkative protagonist. Yet the subtler mechanical distinctions deserve just as much attention. Among them, the relationship between combat tools, traps, and environmental hazards is one of the smartest design choices in the game.

Combat as a Ballet of Blades and Tools

[Image: 6ac830f6df628898bf9e4e837b56rAC107]

Hollow Knight: Silksong's combat is a considerable leap forward from the first game. Hornet has a far wider arsenal of weapons and skills, and her acrobatic movement often lends battles a ballet-like elegance. Momentum and style flow through encounters in ways that were rare in the original Hollow Knight. Could the first game's combat have supported such graceful, fast-paced exchanges? Not without losing its own identity. Silksong instead builds a new identity around speed, positioning, and tactical choice. The game's other most important pillar, level design, serves to buttress that combat. Arenas are not neutral boxes. They are stages filled with dangers that can become weapons.

One of the most discussed additions is the tool system. Items such as Sting Shards and Tacks can be dropped in tactical locations, funneling enemy forces toward environmental hazards or simply adding to their damage output. In essence, these traps are addendums to the magic offensive abilities of the first Hollow Knight. They provide the player with a greater variety of options during combat encounters, adding a layer of dynamism and flexibility that greatly enhances the overall experience. This design philosophy perfectly synergizes with Silksong's environment design, because the player is not merely fighting enemies. The player is also reading the room, planning a route, and crafting a build that turns terrain into an advantage.

Environmental Hazards Are Not Just Obstacles

[Image: 6ac830f9f29ec917d78e0915OaRUaUKG07]

There are a number of environmental hazards in Silksong, which is not exactly surprising considering its genre conventions. But what is somewhat surprising is how much the player can manipulate these hazards, making clever use of them to dispatch enemies more efficiently. For example, Pharloom is littered with bulging, explosive boulders that hang from cave ceilings like deadly stalactites. These will often be used for puzzle-solving, but Hornet can also attack them and cause them to drop, creating an explosion below. When timed correctly, these boulders can deal considerable damage, even taking out several enemies at once. Such circumstances rear their head time and again, since Silksong is replete with such dangerous natural formations.

This interactive approach changes the rhythm of combat. Instead of treating every hazard as a punishment, Silksong treats many of them as opportunities. A ceiling-bound explosive can become a preemptive strike. A narrow corridor can become a kill zone. A room full of spikes can become a trap for enemies rather than only a threat to Hornet. The player learns to ask: can this danger be turned against the enemy? Is it worth spending a tool charge to create a better position? These questions are small, but they accumulate into a combat system that rewards awareness.

System
Player Action
Tactical Outcome

Explosive boulders
Strike the boulder so it falls
Area damage, multi-kill potential

Sting Shards and Tacks
Place them in strategic spots
Funnels enemies, adds DPS

Acrobatic movement
Use Hornet's mobility
Better positioning, ballet-like flow

Environmental hazards
Lure enemies into danger
Efficient kills, resource preservation

The Synergy Between Traps, Tools, and Terrain

Combat in Silksong is much more focused on planning, strategic positioning, and build-crafting, courtesy of Hornet's tools. Items like Sting Shards and Tacks can be dropped in tactical locations, funneling enemy forces toward environmental hazards or simply adding to their DPS. In other words, it is remarkably effective to combine tools, traps, and basic melee attacks with things like the previously mentioned explosive boulders. This aids the gameplay experience in surprising ways. For one thing, it allows fights to be unexpected and varied depending on where they take place. But the offensive capabilities of these environmental hazards also serve to reward players for paying attention to their surroundings.

Since Silksong is all about exploration and learning the lay of the land, this is quite a clever and appropriate way to further incentivize critical thinking and pattern recognition. The game does not need to force players into a single correct answer. Instead, it gives them a toolbox and a world full of dangerous furniture. A player who ignores the environment can still fight, but a player who studies it can dominate. That difference is meaningful because it turns every room into a potential puzzle. It also makes repeat visits more interesting, since a space that once seemed hostile may later become a favorite ambush point.

Why Subtle Design Choices Matter

Could Silksong have simply repeated the first game's formula? Of course it could have. But would that have been as memorable? Probably not. The flashy differences, such as Hornet's acrobatics and her ability to speak with NPCs, are easy to notice. The subtler mechanical distinctions, however, are what make the game's combat endure. Team Cherry did not just add new moves. The studio rebuilt the relationship between the player, the enemy, and the environment. In 2026, that is still one of Silksong's greatest strengths.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is all the better for its willingness to embrace radical change and growth. It respects its predecessor without being trapped by it. It gives players more of what they wanted while also asking them to think differently. In a sequel, that is a rare balance. And in a genre crowded with imitators, it is a reminder that true evolution often comes from the quiet details: a dropped boulder, a well-placed tack, a moment of perfect positioning. Those details may not dominate a trailer, but they define the experience.

The instincts Silksong rewards don't stay inside the game for long. Scouting a room before committing, weighing a tool against its cost, and holding out for the moment when a risky move pays off — that's the same mindset that separates a good deal from an impulse buy. Whether you're hunting down a new controller with reliable triggers, a headset that won't betray you during a late-night boss attempt, or simply the game itself at a price that doesn't sting, the players who come out ahead are the ones who look around before they leap.

That habit of checking your surroundings translates surprisingly well to shopping. Instead of grabbing the first listing you see, you can scan multiple retailers, weigh what each one actually offers, and commit only when the numbers make sense. If you'd rather spend ten minutes planning than ten dollars regretting, compare prices here at DealNest before you check out — the same patience that turns a hostile room into an ambush point tends to turn a full-price purchase into a bargain.

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  Silksong Act 2 Guide: Essential Steps and Where to Go First
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-09-2026, 10:00 AM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

After defeating The Last Judge and triggering the Act 2 cutscene, Hornet finally enters the Citadel in Team Cherry's Silksong. Unlike the more linear Act 1, Act 2 opens up a sprawling, interconnected map that has left many players wondering: what should they do first? With the game now well into 2026, veterans and newcomers alike continue to seek direction. This guide breaks down the most important early objectives in the Citadel, from buying maps to hunting the Threefold Melody.

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1. Purchase the Grand Gate Map (40 Rosaries) ?️

The very first thing players should do in Act 2 is buy a map. Unlike Act 1, where maps came from NPCs like Shakra, most Citadel maps are sold by machines. In the first room of the Citadel, players will find one such machine. Interact with it and pay 40 Rosaries to receive the Grand Gate map. This small zone connects the Blasted Steps to the larger Choral Chambers above, but it is a crucial starting point.

2. Grab the Free Underworks Map

From the Grand Gate map machine, head right and drop down into The Underworks. This eerie sub-area is filled with forced labor bugs and deadly fans that deal two Masks of damage. Traverse upward until you spot a sign with lines and shapes. Enter that room to find the Underworks map pinned to a board — it costs nothing. Then continue upward to reach the Choral Chambers.

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3. Buy the Choral Chambers Map (70 Rosaries) and Find Ventrica

Continue through the Choral Chambers until you reach another map machine at the start of a long, slightly angled room with three enemies. Purchase this map for 70 Rosaries. Then go left to discover your first Ventrica station, a fast-travel point that will prove invaluable later.

4. Unlock the Shortcut to The Slab ?️

Normally, reaching The Slab requires players to let Hornet get captured by a large enemy in the Deep Docks. However, there is a shortcut on the left side of the Choral Chambers. This path connects almost directly to a Bench and the Slab Bellway station. Why is this important? Because later, players must return to the Slab Bellway to reach Mount Fay, which contains a powerful movement item — but only after acquiring the Clawline ability somewhere in the Citadel.

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5. Defeat the Cogwork Dancers ⚔️

At the very top of the Choral Chambers, players will face the Cogwork Dancers, the first major boss of the Citadel. This fight is not the hardest in the game, but it is one of the most tragic and beautifully designed. Hornet battles two dancers who move in time with the music, telegraphing their attacks. The fight has three phases as the song accelerates. After defeating one dancer for the third time, it is destroyed. The remaining dancer continues alone in a somber fourth phase. After winning, players unlock the Cogworks Core below and the rest of the Choral Chambers to the right.

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6. Ring the Grand Bell to Unlock Songclave ?

After the Cogwork Dancers, head right — carefully jumping over two tough, large enemies — to reach a strange building on the far top-right of the Citadel. Enter and ring the bell inside to spawn a bench. Outside, an NPC named the Caretaker asks if you rang the bell and warns that it will call pilgrims. Later, this spot transforms into a new town hub called Songclave. The Caretaker may be annoyed, but players can now fulfill Wishwall requests from pilgrims.

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7. Locate the Grand Bellway in Choral Chambers

Make your way to the far bottom-right of the Choral Chambers to find the Grand Bellway, a Bellway station in the center of the Citadel. This provides convenient travel back to Act 1 areas, allowing players to collect missing Mask Shards, Spool Fragments, optional abilities, and complete side content.

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8. Find Pale Oil in Whispering Vaults ?️

The Whispering Vaults are tricky to reach. They can only be accessed by turning a gigantic wheel-gate so its pathway faces left to right. To get there, return to the Cogwork Dancers arena and drop down into the Cogwork Core. This sub-zone resembles the Path of Pain from Hollow Knight. Go down three floors, then loop down, right, and up to reach the other side of the central column. Use all of Hornet's movement skills and bounce off cogs with downward slashes. At the top-right, continue pogoing off moving cogs, then head right. At the end of the hallway, find a room leading to the left side of the wheel-gate. Hit the lever, cross to the right, and enter the Whispering Vaults. Somewhere inside is a Pale Oil, which upgrades Hornet's Needle for a second time, increasing damage.

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9. Hunt Down the Threefold Melody ?

After defeating the Cogwork Dancers, the background of their arena rotates to reveal three ominous statues. Interact with them to learn Hornet's final task: find all three pieces of the Threefold Melody and play it before the statues. The pieces are hidden in difficult, out-of-the-way areas. Two are locked behind challenging gauntlet rooms in the top-left and bottom-right of the Citadel. The third is hidden high atop the Clockwork Core. This quest will take players through the Cauldron, deeper Whispering Vaults, Bilewater, High Halls, Whiteward, Memorium, and more.

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Summary of Key Act 2 Objectives

Objective
Cost
Reward

Grand Gate Map
40 Rosaries
Map of starting zone

Underworks Map
Free
Map of sub-area

Choral Chambers Map
70 Rosaries
Map + Ventrica access

The Slab Shortcut
Free
Quick access to Slab Bellway

Cogwork Dancers
Boss fight
Access to Cogworks Core & Songclave

Grand Bell
Free
Songclave town hub

Grand Bellway
Free
Fast travel to Act 1

Pale Oil
Exploration
Needle upgrade

Threefold Melody
Long quest
Endgame progression

Conclusion

Act 2 of Silksong may feel overwhelming at first, but by following these steps, players can build a solid foundation. As 2026 progresses, the community continues to uncover new secrets and optimizations. So, what are you waiting for? Grab that map, ring that bell, and ascend the Citadel. ?

Silksong demands a lot from its players — long gauntlets, frame-perfect pogo timings, and boss fights that punish a single misread input. That kind of endurance run eventually takes a toll on your setup, whether it's a drifting analog stick, a muddy monitor, or a keyboard that has seen better days. Replacing gear mid-playthrough isn't cheap, though, so it helps to know where the genuine discounts live before committing to a purchase. DealNest gathers current offers on gaming hardware and accessories in one place, making it easier to tell a real price drop from a marketing illusion.

Not every Citadel explorer needs new equipment, of course — some are simply lining up their next adventure for the moment the credits roll. With so many metroidvanias and soulslikes arriving alongside Silksong, keeping tabs on sales is the easiest way to grow a library without draining your Rosaries. Whether you're after a bargain controller or a cheap copy of whatever comes next on your list, checking an aggregator before you buy is a habit that quietly pays for itself.

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  Hollow Knight: Silksong – Putrified Ducts Route, Loot, and Survival Guide
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-09-2026, 08:33 AM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

In 2026, Hollow Knight: Silksong players are still mapping every corner of Pharloom, and the Putrified Ducts remains one of the most elusive optional regions. It is among the couple of tricky areas that are only accessed through a specific route, and the path is not in plain sight. Hornet must destroy an obstacle to reveal the entrance, which makes the journey feel like a secret within a secret. Although reaching the Putrified Ducts can be time-consuming, the area contains many points of interest that make the trip worthwhile.

The Main Route Begins in Memorium

The Putrified Ducts is mainly available from the Memorium area in Hollow Knight: Silksong. A lower part can be accessed from Bilewater, but that small section does not connect to the rest of the region. What players will find there is the Broodfeast quest and the Key of Apostate. For the full experience, the Memorium approach is required.

To start, players should enter Memorium by heading north from the Grand Bellway, all the way to the top. Next, they must use the double jump, which is a necessity, to climb the platform and access the area. In Memorium, Hornet should jump to the platform containing the lore board, then hop to the one above it. Hornet will arrive at the second level of the area, and the path will split.

Through the Enemy Corridor

Proceeding right leads to an area infested with enemies in all shapes and forms. Players must fight the small and big spiders, then keep running to stumble upon a mini-boss near the end of the path. The mini-boss can be fought or ignored completely to quickly go through the door. After that, players should look down and carefully descend the platforms to reach the bottom while avoiding the enemies that roll around. This section rewards patience more than aggression.

Go through the door to the right with the hanging sign to enter a seemingly empty room. Walk inside further and look up to find a narrow tunnel. Double jump and Clawline upward, then proceed forward to land on a bridge. At the end of the bridge is a tall climbable wall. Using a combination of skills like cling grip and double jump is essential. Between the two walls is an obstacle that can be destroyed. Carefully stick Hornet to the wall and try to destroy the rocks to reveal a path.

Head right and enter the dimly lit tunnel. Proceed further without touching the spikes, and players will eventually reach the Putrified Ducts area. It is very similar to Bilewater, especially the maggot-filled swamp that decreases Hornet's silk. Luckily, there is an item in this area that can protect Hornet from this water for a short period of time. Additionally, there is an NPC that will help reveal the locations of the fleas that were missed while exploring Pharloom.

Route Summary Table

Step
Location
Required Ability or Item
Notes

1
Grand Bellway
Double jump
Head north to the top and climb into Memorium

2
Memorium
Double jump
Jump to the lore board platform, then to the one above

3
Split path
Combat or evasion
Proceed right into the enemy-infested corridor

4
Mini-boss room
Optional fight
The mini-boss can be skipped to reach the door faster

5
Descending platforms
Careful movement
Avoid the rolling enemies below

6
Empty room
Clawline and double jump
Look up for the narrow tunnel

7
Bridge and wall
Cling grip and double jump
Destroy the obstacle between the walls

8
Dim tunnel
Spike avoidance
Reach the Putrified Ducts

9
Putrified Ducts
Silk protection item
The swamp drains silk; the item grants temporary safety

10
Lower Bilewater section
Broodfeast quest and Key of Apostate
This part is accessible separately from Bilewater

Survival and Exploration Tips

The Putrified Ducts is not a place for careless exploration. The maggot-filled swamp is one of the most punishing environmental hazards in the region because it steadily decreases Hornet's silk. Players should locate the protective item early, then use its short window to cross dangerous stretches and reach safer ground. Silk management becomes a priority, since Hornet may need healing or offensive tools while navigating enemies and spikes.

The NPC in the area is another major reason to visit. This character helps reveal the locations of missed fleas across Pharloom, making the Putrified Ducts valuable for completionists. In 2026, with many players returning to old saves or starting fresh runs, this flea-reveal service remains one of the most useful rewards in the region.

The lower section accessed from Bilewater is easy to overlook. It does not connect to the rest of the Putrified Ducts, but it contains the Broodfeast quest and the Key of Apostate. Players who only take the Memorium route may miss these items entirely. A thorough explorer should visit both approaches.

Finally, the mini-boss near the end of the enemy corridor is optional. Fighting it may feel satisfying, but ignoring it is a valid strategy for players who want to preserve health and silk. The door is close enough that a quick escape is possible. Once inside the empty room, the real challenge becomes vertical navigation: Clawline, double jump, cling grip, and a sharp eye for the destructible obstacle.

With its hidden entrance, silk-draining swamp, optional mini-boss, and flea-revealing NPC, the Putrified Ducts is more than a detour. It is a compact test of everything Hollow Knight: Silksong asks from Hornet: mobility, combat awareness, environmental survival, and curiosity. The route from Memorium is long, but every step leads to rewards that justify the effort. For players aiming to complete Pharloom in 2026, the Putrified Ducts deserves a place on the map.

Once the Putrified Ducts are fully mapped and its rewards collected, many players start planning their next journey through Pharloom or looking for another challenging metroidvania to sink into. Comparing prices before buying can make that next adventure much easier on the wallet, especially when storefront discounts rotate quickly.

For anyone hunting for a discounted copy of Silksong, a DLC, or a similarly demanding action-platformer, DealNest is worth a look. It gathers current offers in one place, so you can browse game deals today before deciding where to spend your Geo—or your real-world currency.

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  Hollow Knight: Silksong – Mastering Sister Splinter in 2026
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-09-2026, 07:55 AM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

In the sprawling, treacherous world of Hollow Knight: Silksong, few encounters test a player's mettle quite like the battle against Sister Splinter. As of 2026, this boss remains a notorious roadblock for many adventurers navigating the thorny depths of Shellwood. While Sister Splinter's individual attacks are relatively simple to read, the cluttered arena—filled with spiky brambles and relentless flying minions—can quickly turn the fight into a chaotic nightmare. However, with the right approach and a keen understanding of her patterns, players can transform this daunting challenge into a manageable skirmish.

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?️ Where to Find Sister Splinter and the Nearest Bench

Sister Splinter resides deep within the heart of Shellwood, a region marked on the map. She guards the path to the wall jump ability, a crucial upgrade that opens up new exploration avenues. To reach her, players must first unlock the elevator that provides easy access to her chamber. Once unlocked, it's wise to rest at the bench near the center of Shellwood for the shortest runback. This bench costs 50 rosaries to unlock, so players should ensure they have enough currency on hand. From the bench, take the elevator up, enter the room to the right, and platform across and up the room. A series of pogo jumps across flowers will lead leftward into the boss chamber.

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⚔️ Phase One: Keep the Arena Clear

In the first phase, the priority is maintaining a clean arena. When Sister Splinter retreats into the ceiling, spikes will slam down shortly after. These can be broken with a few hits. Players shouldn't waste time destroying every spike, but clearing those that restrict movement is essential. Her attacks come in sets of three, alternating left and right strikes. Beams of light telegraph incoming spikes, providing opportunities to dodge and heal. Staying on the correct side of her attacks allows for consistent damage. When staggered, she falls to the floor—players should move away to avoid impact damage, then use the opportunity to land hits or heal.

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? Phase Two: Manage the Minions

Phase two escalates the chaos. Sister Splinter summons flying enemies at the start, giving players only a few seconds to react. Instead of trying to melee them, use the Silkspear attack if silk is available—it kills them in one hit, preventing the pace from slipping. She continues to spawn flyers throughout the fight, so silk should be reserved for eliminating them rather than healing. Notably, her own attacks can kill these minions if they are in the path, which can be used to the player's advantage. If brambles accumulate too quickly, Silkspear can also one-shot them. Equipping a tool like the Longpin (found in a side room in Shellwood) or the Straight Pin as a backup is advisable.

Phase
Key Threats
Strategy

One
Spike drops, left/right strikes
Clear key spikes, dodge, punish staggers

Two
Flying minions, increased brambles
Use Silkspear on minions, stay aggressive

?️ Tips for Success

Stay aggressive: Passive play allows Sister Splinter to control the arena.

Use Silkspear liberally: It's the key to managing both minions and brambles.

Heal only during safe windows: Such as when spikes are telegraphed or after she is staggered.

Keep moving: Don't let yourself be cornered by spikes or flyers.

? After the Fight

Upon defeating Sister Splinter, players should exit the arena to the left. In the area beyond, a statue awaits—binding to it grants the wall jump ability. This ability is essential for reaching the boss fight above Bellhart and progressing through the first act of Hollow Knight: Silksong.

In 2026, with the game's community still thriving, Sister Splinter remains a rite of passage. By keeping the arena clear and using the right tools, players can overcome this thorny adversary and continue their journey through the hauntingly beautiful world of Pharloom. Whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, these strategies will help you turn a nightmare into a breeze.

If Sister Splinter has reignited your appetite for tough, atmospheric action-platformers, you might be looking for the next challenge to sink into after Pharloom. That's where DealNest comes in—it's a handy place to browse PC game discounts across a range of genres, so you can line up your next metroidvania or indie gem without paying full price. Whether you're hunting for something as demanding as Silksong or just want to bulk up your backlog, checking DealNest between sessions can be a smart move.

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  From Clown Memes to Launch: Silksong's Miracle and Metroid Prime 4's Long Wait
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-08-2026, 07:37 PM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

I still remember the exact moment I stopped treating Hollow Knight: Silksong like a myth and started treating it like a real game. When Team Cherry finally released its long-awaited Metroidvania on all platforms, I felt the same mix of disbelief and relief that had been building since 2019. The game did not just arrive—it landed with force. On OpenCritic, it holds a 95/100 Top Critic Average, with 100% of critics recommending it. On Steam, it sits at 91% positive despite recurring complaints about difficulty. For me, that tension is the point: Silksong is brutal, beautiful, and unapologetically demanding.

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The Long Wait Was Not a Joke—Except When It Was

I followed Silksong from its brief 2019 announcement trailer through years of near silence. Team Cherry showed a few trailers here and there, but updates were rare. That quiet period turned into a strange community ritual. Fans made clown memes about Silksong, and I laughed at them because I was in them. Every Nintendo Direct, every showcase, every random Tuesday became a chance to put on the makeup again. The joke was never really about hating the game. It was about how much we wanted it and how little we knew.

Now that Silksong is out, those memes are mostly retired. The conversation has shifted to boss fights, tools, Crests, and the game's steep learning curve. I have seen plenty of players celebrate its difficulty and plenty of others bounce off it. That split feels healthy. A sequel to Hollow Knight was never going to be easy, and Team Cherry did not pretend otherwise.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Inherited the Clown Crown

If any game rivaled Silksong for the longest gap between announcement and release, it was Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Nintendo first revealed it at its E3 2017 press conference, two years before Silksong's announcement. At the time, the game was literally just a logo. Nintendo said Bandai Namco's studios in Japan and Singapore would develop it, but that plan did not hold. In 2019, Nintendo restarted development because the initial version failed to meet internal expectations. Retro Studios, the original Metroid Prime team, took over. Retro had been working on an unannounced Switch platformer called Harmony, but that project was canceled to prioritize Metroid Prime 4.

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For years, Metroid Prime 4 existed as a promise and a punchline. I remember watching fans ask for a trailer at every Direct, only to get another round of clown memes. Nintendo did not release a single trailer until June 2024. That reveal confirmed a 2025 release window for the Nintendo Switch. Later, Nintendo announced a Nintendo Switch 2 version with enhanced visuals and smoother frame rates. Even after multiple showings, Nintendo stayed oddly quiet about the exact release date, which made me nervous. I had already seen Silksong slip through enough windows to fear another delay into early 2026.

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What 2026 Looks Like Now

By 2026, the waiting game is finally over. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has launched as a Nintendo exclusive for Switch and Switch 2, and the enhanced version on the newer hardware delivers the smoother frame rates and cleaner visuals Nintendo promised. I have spent time with both games now, and the contrast is fascinating. Silksong is a handcrafted, punishing 2D labyrinth from a small team. Metroid Prime 4 is a first-person sci-fi adventure from a veteran studio that had to rebuild its project from scratch. Both took years to reach players, but they took very different roads.

Game
Announced
Released
Key development note

Hollow Knight: Silksong
2019
2025
Team Cherry stayed quiet for years, fueling clown memes

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
E3 2017
2025
Rebooted in 2019; Retro Studios took over from Bandai Namco

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The clown memes are dead now. I do not miss the uncertainty, but I do miss the shared absurdity a little. There was something oddly bonding about waiting for a game that felt like it might never arrive. Silksong and Metroid Prime 4 both turned that waiting into a community language. When the games finally launched, the language changed from jokes to impressions, complaints, favorite bosses, and favorite weapons.

The Real Lesson From Two Long Waits

I think the lesson is not that delays are good. They are not. Metroid Prime 4's reboot cost years and canceled another project. Silksong's silence frustrated even the most patient fans. But both cases show that a long wait does not automatically mean a bad game. It means development is messy, especially when a small team or a rebooted studio is trying to meet impossible expectations.

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As a player in 2026, I am just glad I can finally talk about these games as games. Silksong earned its 95/100 OpenCritic average and its 91% Steam positivity, even if its difficulty keeps some players at arm's length. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally crossed the finish line and gave Switch and Switch 2 owners a new Samus adventure. The clown makeup is off. The controllers are on. And for once, the only mystery left is what Team Cherry and Retro Studios will do next.

That curiosity about what comes next tends to send me back through older catalogs, and it is easy to forget how expensive a backlog can get when every long-awaited release lands in the same window. Between Silksong, a new Samus adventure, and the steady stream of indies that fill the gaps in between, most players I know are trying to stretch a budget across far more games than they can finish. I have started being more deliberate about when I buy, waiting for the moments when prices actually drop instead of grabbing things at launch out of habit.

Lately I have been checking best game deals before committing to anything, and it has changed how I approach the hobby. Finding a discount on a title I was already curious about makes it easier to take a chance on the weirder, smaller releases that big studios would never fund, which is exactly the kind of variety that keeps this medium interesting between the blockbusters.

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  Silksong Guide: Reach High Halls and Grab the Map Without Losing Your Mind
Posted by: xtameembb - 10-08-2026, 04:14 PM - Forum: My Forum - No Replies

So you've clawed your way into the Citadel in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and now you're staring up at High Halls like it's the world's most hostile apartment building. Well, it is. The Citadel is packed with platforming sections that will punish you for missing a single jump, and enemies that chase you like you owe them money. High Halls, accessible soon after leaving the Underworks, is no exception. But don't worry—this guide will walk you through the route, the tricks, and the map location. And yes, there will be spikes. So many spikes.

First, a quick reality check: you need the Clawline ability. Without it, you're just a bug with a needle and a bad attitude. Once you have Clawline, your first task is to find and defeat the Cogwork Dancers boss. Yes, those mechanical ballet nightmares. After they're scrap metal, head down and left to reach the top left section of the Coral Chambers. There, you'll spot a Bench directly below a few grapple points. Sit on it. Seriously, sit on it. You'll thank yourself later.

From the Bench, start making your way up using Clawline. The first section is relatively simple—just go right and ignore the enemies. Why fight when you can run? Use your dash to zip past them if you're feeling fancy. When you reach the grapple wheel, harpoon onto a hook and wait for it to rotate upward. Then use your abilities to slip through the top right passage. More enemies? Ignore them again. Dash over their heads like the graceful spider you are.

Now the real fun begins. You'll enter a room with spikes on the bottom and another grapple wheel. This time, ignore the wheel. Instead, float downwards, carefully avoiding the spikes. You'll see a grapple on your right—Clawline to it immediately, or you'll become a Hornet kebab. Once you're holding on, wait a few seconds. The spikes below you will retract. Then float down. You'll have to do this little dance again. After that, you'll spot an enemy. Avoid it by going further down. Easy, right?

Be careful in the next section. You have to move Hornet while floating to avoid spikes, and then harpoon one last time. This is where many players rage-quit. But you're better than that, aren't you? After the final harpoon, go further down. When you see the sign of a Ventrica Station on your right, head through the passage. You'll come across a Bench. Interact with the Station if you have Rosaries—but make sure you have 70 remaining, because there's a machine on the right that sells the map for High Halls. Yes, you have to pay for the privilege of knowing where you are. Capitalism at its finest.

Here's a quick summary table for the visual learners:

Step
Action
Tip

1
Get Clawline, defeat Cogwork Dancers
Don't skip the Bench

2
Go up from Coral Chambers Bench
Ignore enemies, dash past

3
First grapple wheel
Wait for rotation, go top right

4
Second room with spikes
Ignore wheel, float down, Clawline right

5
Wait on grapple
Spikes retract, then float down

6
Repeat, avoid enemy
Go further down

7
Final floating section
Move Hornet mid-air, harpoon

8
Reach Ventrica Station
Need 70 Rosaries for map

Why bother with High Halls at all? Because it's there. Also, it's packed with lore, secrets, and a few shiny things that completionists crave. In 2026, players are still debating whether High Halls is harder than the rest of the Citadel. (Spoiler: it is.) But the view from the top? Worth every spike.

The enemies in the Citadel are relentless. They'll chase you across rooms, through tunnels, and into your dreams. But here's a secret: most of them are slow enough to outrun. Use your dash, use your Clawline, and never look back. If you do get hit, don't panic. Hornet can take a few hits. Just don't fall on spikes. Spikes don't care about your feelings.

Rosaries are the currency of Pharloom. If you're broke, you might need to farm some before attempting this route. Or just sell your soul. Your choice. But remember: 70 Rosaries for the map is a bargain compared to wandering around blindly for hours. Trust me, you don't want to be that bug.

So, are you ready to conquer the Citadel's highest halls? Or will you let a few spikes break your spirit? Grab your Clawline and get climbing. The map won't buy itself.

If your controller's analog stick has started drifting after one too many failed harpoons, or you're hunting for a cheaper copy of the game to hand off to a friend, it pays to know where the actual discounts are. Rather than tab-hopping between storefronts and hoping a sale pops up, you can compare prices here and let DealNest do the scouting — useful whether you're after peripherals sturdy enough to survive a boss fight or just a good deal on the next title in your backlog.

DealNest gathers listings in one place, so you spend less time grinding through pages and more time actually playing. No spikes, no rage-quits, just a quick look before you commit.

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