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

Silksong's ornate clamp in Deep Docks unlocks only with the Diving Bell Key from Act 3, serving as a transit stop, not a puzzle.

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

Wait, What Is This Weird Clamp? 🤔

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

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

The Diving Bell Key Is an Act 3 Thing 🔑

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

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

Ballow: The Deep Docks Employee of the Year 🏆

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

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

Should You Bother? A Very Serious Table 📋

Question
Answer

What opens the ornate clamp?
The Diving Bell Key

Where is the key?
Secret Act 3

Can I get it early?
No, unless you enjoy disappointment

Who gives it?
Ballow, next to the Forge Daughter

What is inside the bell?
A bench and a speaker

Is there a boss?
No

Is there an item?
No

Is it missable?
Not if you play Act 3

Can I ignore it?
Yes, safely

Did I ignore it?
No, and I regret the hour I spent

My Step-by-Step Clamp Opening Routine 🐝

Reach the deeper part of Deep Docks.

Find the Forge Daughter, the vendor.

Ask her about descending below the Deep Docks.

Learn that she is not the one to ask. Rude, but fair.

Go right and speak to Ballow, the non-hostile worker.

Hear him say he will wait by the bell.

Travel to the old diving bell. Use the shortcut if you have it. Take the long detour if you do not.

Climb up the small room on the right to find Ballow.

Let Ballow operate the descent of the old diving bell.

Once ready, open the ornate clamp as Hornet.

Enter the bell.

Sit on the bench. Speak to Ballow. Begin the dive.

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

The Final Bell 🔔

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

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

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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.

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

Hand-drawn 2D games like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Cuphead prove animation can be art in motion.

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

The 2D Renaissance Is Not a Nostalgia Trip

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

Game
Style
Why It Belongs in the Gallery

Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hand-drawn Metroidvania
Colors pop, outlines leap from backgrounds

Cuphead
1930s cartoon run-and-gun
Boss-focused brutality with silky animation

Ori and the Blind Forest
Emotional Metroidvania
Gorgeous, haunting, tears optional but likely

Indivisible
Metroidvania + turn-based RPG
Combos, allies, face-button fighting

Disney Illusion Island
Co-op Metroidvania
Friendly platforming with Disney pals

Sundered
Roguevania
Fluid ink-like combat and exploration

Greak: Memories of Azur
Sibling puzzle adventure
Three heroes, one satisfying journey

The Cruel King and the Great Hero
Crayon-style RPG
Rough, polished, and delightfully odd

Hollow Knight: Silksong

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

Cuphead

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

Ori and the Blind Forest

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.

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

Hollow Knight: Silksong map locations and Shakra guide—find all 28 maps, their costs, and how to obtain them for easier exploration.

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

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

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

Map
How to Obtain
Cost (Rosaries)
Location

Bone Bottom
Buy from Shakra
40
NW part of The Marrow

The Marrow
Buy from Shakra
50
Near bench in NW part

Deep Docks
Buy from Shakra
50
East of Deep Docks Bellway

Far Fields
Buy from Shakra
50
Cave SW of Far Fields Bellway

Wormways
Buy from Shakra
70
East side, upper path from Moss Grotto

Hunter's March
Buy from Shakra
70
East side, east of path down to Deep Docks

Greymoor
Buy from Shakra
70
Eastern part, west of Craw Lake

Verdania
Find on bug corpse

Small camp in SE part

Bellhart
Buy from Shakra
40
Lower Shellwood, beneath Greyroot's hut

Shellwood
Buy from Shakra
70
Lower part, beneath Greyroot's hut

Blasted Steps
Buy from Shakra
70
Eastern part

Sinner's Road
Buy from Shakra
90
Near bench on NW side of central shaft

The Slab
Find on bug corpse

Cell east of bench in center

Mount Fay
Buy from Shakra
40
Near bench in lowest part, near path to The Slab

Sands of Karak
Buy from Shakra
90
Chamber on western side of central shaft

Bilewater
Buy from Shakra
90
Center, NE of Bilewater Bellway

Weavenest Atla
Inspect device

NE part; head right from Needolin door, break two glowing orbs, inspect device in left chamber

Grand Gate
Inspect machine
40
Central part

Underworks
Interact with map

Small chamber on western side of central shaft, above first bench

Whiteward
Inspect machine
70
Area south of only bench

Choral Chambers
Inspect machine
70
Area east of Grand Bellway

High Halls
Inspect machine
70
Area east of path up from Choral Chambers

Whispering Vaults
Inspect machine
70
Hidden chamber at top of central shaft

Cogwork Core
Step on button

Hidden area above foldable bench, beneath NW passageway into Choral Chambers

Memorium
Inspect machine
70
Map room in SE part

Putrified Ducts
Inspect table

Room on west side of central shaft, SW of Putrified Ducts Bellway

The Cradle
Inspect machine
70
Alcove on west side

The Abyss
Inspect device

Secret area above bench in lowest part

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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Lifting the Silken Curse: My Journey Through Bellhart in Silksong

Hollow Knight: Silksong Bellhart Silken Curse guide: use Cling Grab to free citizens and defeat the boss.

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

Prerequisites for the Curse Quest

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

Travel to Greymoor: You can get there via the traveling Flea Caravan after completing their lost fleas quest, or by traversing from the bottom pathway.

Speak to the Bell Hermit: In the bell beast pathway, break the right wall and head downward to find the hermit, who gives you crucial information.

Have the Shellwood Map: At least partially filled out. This helps with navigation.

Unlock Cling Grab: You'll find this ability in Shellwood. It's essential for scaling walls later.

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

How to Traverse Above Bellhart

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

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

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

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

Boss Fight: Widow Preparations

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

Ability: Silkspear – This slices through Widow's silk traps easier. Use it sparingly to save silk for healing.

Crest: Reaper Crest – Restores silk quickly, allowing more Silkspear uses. Combined with Druid's Eye, you get a minor stack of silk replenishment.

Tools:

Fractured Mask: Shields against critical damage but shatters on impact.

Druid's Eye: Replenishes silk upon getting attacked.

Sting Shard: Lethal trap of tightly bound blades that pierces enemies.

Flea Brew: Temporarily increases movement and attack speed.

Pollip Pouch: Applies poison to equipped tools.

Phase 1

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

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

Phase 2

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

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

Silken Curse Lifted

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

Shakra's Return: Shakra asked if Hornet was responsible for lifting the curse, then commented on my accomplishments. Her shop inventory is now ready for map-making essentials.

Pavo: The official welcomer of Bellhart has a wish on the board for donations to restore the area. They praised Hornet and now accept new pilgrims while watching the town's revival.

Frey: A shopkeeper who hid in their shop and devoured most of their stock. They won't open until you find their lost courier. Complete the request to access the shop.

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.

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Silksong's Multibinder: Is This 880-Rosary Tool Worth It in 2026?

Is Multibinder worth 880 Rosaries in Hollow Knight: Silksong? It trades speed for a 4-mask heal, with a 2-mask safety net in boss fights.

I've been grinding through Pharloom since Hollow Knight: Silksong launched, and I still see folks in chat asking the same question: is the Multibinder worth 880 Rosaries? After testing it in multiple boss fights and defensive builds, I can say it's not a no-brainer. It's a blue Tool sold by the vendor in Bellhart, and its description is vague enough to make you scratch your head. So let me break down exactly what it does, when it shines, and whether you should bite the bullet in 2026.

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.

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

Borderlands 4 reviews land strong: Metacritic 84, OpenCritic 87, and a looter shooter that wins back trust.

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

The Scores Don't Tell the Whole Story

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

Game
Metacritic Score

Borderlands 2
89

Borderlands 4
84

Borderlands 3
81

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

What Reviewers Loved

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

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

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

Randy Pitchford Called It

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

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

Launch Details and Platform Notes

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

My Personal Take as a Longtime Vault Hunter

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

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

Pros
Cons

Rewarding, engrossing gameplay
Some bland new characters

Charming writing and great characters
Pointless grappling hook, according to some

Smooth gunplay and a consistent loot rush
Minor loot-grab annoyances

Best fun in the series for many reviewers
Doesn't quite beat Borderlands 2's 89

The Verdict in 2026

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

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

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After Silksong, Hollow Knight Fans Need New Hopes

Nintendo Direct heartbreak persists as Hollow Knight and Metroid Prime 4 fans chase elusive announcements and new impossible dreams.

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

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

The Hopium Machine Needs New Fuel

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

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

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

A Wider Web of Worry

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

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

The New Hopium Leaderboard

Game
Why Fans Still Hope
Realistic Chance

Mother 3
The legendary untranslated sequel
Low, but never zero

Metroid Prime 4
Rated, played, and still dateless
High, if Nintendo is ready

New Kid Icarus
Nostalgia and Sakurai dreams
Very low

New F-Zero
Captain Falcon deserves better
Low

Star Fox
Nintendo remembering the franchise
Medium-low

Wolverine
A re-reveal at an unannounced State of Play
Medium

Kingdom Hearts 4
Square Enix silence is getting loud
Medium

Final Fantasy 9
Remake rumors and anniversary energy
Unknown

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

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

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

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My Quest for Rune Rage in Silksong: Beating the First Sinner

Get Silksong's Rune Rage by defeating the First Sinner in The Slab. Master this Silk Skill to unleash chaotic, exploding runes.

I’ll be honest with you: when I first set foot in Pharloom, I thought I had seen it all. But Silksong has a way of throwing curveballs. The Rune Rage skill? It’s a real game-changer, but getting it is no walk in the park. So grab your needle, because I’m about to walk you through exactly how I got my hands on this bad boy.

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.

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Silksong: A Brutal, Beautiful Homecoming After Seven Years

Silksong is a brutal, beautiful Hollow Knight sequel: richer Pharloom, deeper combat, scarce resources, and secrets that punish and reward.

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

The Early Game Doesn't Hold Your Hand

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

Money, Money, Money

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

Where Are the Mask Shards?

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

Pharloom Feels Alive

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

A Wider Toolkit

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

Secrets Within Secrets

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

Final Thoughts

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

Here's a quick comparison table:

Aspect
Hollow Knight
Silksong

Early game difficulty
Moderate
Brutal

Tutorial
Yes
No

Regular enemy damage
Mostly 1 mask
Often 2 masks

Currency
Plentiful geo
Scarce rosaries

Mask shards
Common
Rare and hidden

Atmosphere
Haunting, dead
Lively, bustling

Combat toolkit
Nail arts, spells
Crests, tools, customization

Secrets
Hidden walls
Hidden rooms within hidden rooms

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

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Upcoming Horror Games in 2026 That Could Outshine Resident Evil Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem and upcoming horror games promise intense survival horror, psychological thrills, and unforgettable scares in 2026.

The Resident Evil series has served as the gold standard in survival horror for decades, and with Resident Evil Requiem looming on the horizon, it's clear that Capcom isn't slowing down anytime soon. But while the hype surrounding the next undead chapter in this legendary franchise is more than justified, it's far from the only horror game that should be on anyone's radar in 2026. From ambitious psychological thrillers to survival nightmares, there are a ton of upcoming horror games that could give Resident Evil Requiem a run for its money. Requiem may be at the top of a wishlist, but it shouldn't be the only title in the cart. For fans of sleepless nights, blood pressure spikes, and jump scares that induce heart palpitations, these upcoming horror games deserve undivided, white-knuckled, and red-eyed attention.

10. Gravewatch 🪦

Grave robbing is already a bad idea, but Gravewatch hammers that point home with brutal efficiency. Players step into the shoes of Daniel, a single father pushed to the very edge. Child support isn't an option, and the only way he can support his sick daughter is by robbing graves in the middle of the night. It's a sick, desperate, and morally gray setup, but someone has to pay the bills, and it won't be the daughter. Daniel isn't out to cause trouble or desecrate loved ones; he's just a desperate man doing awful things for the right reasons. Of course, things go horribly wrong one night during a routine grave robbery. The more he digs, the more he finds himself trapped in a waking nightmare where the line between the living and the dead blurs beyond recognition, and the dead decide they'd like to come back for what they've lost. For those excited about getting up close and personal with Resident Evil Requiem's undead enemies, Gravewatch is a natural addition to the wishlist.

9. Of Lies and Rain 🌧️

VR horror games are always a special kind of nightmare fuel, but Of Lies and Rain takes the assignment a little too seriously. Set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic sci-fi world, this game thrusts players into a crumbling reality caught between the physical and the digital. They aren't just fighting for their own survival; they're fighting to piece together a haunting conspiracy surrounding their past while trying to stop humanity from slipping into total extinction. Horror already feels far more immediate in virtual reality, but when combined with first-person shooter mechanics and semi-corporeal enemies, the result is a recipe for sleepless nights. While Resident Evil Requiem is bound to deliver classic survival horror thrills, Of Lies and Rain looks like it might redefine just how terrifying horror can be altogether.

8. The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu 🐙

Few things feel as scary and hopeless as being lost in a remote jungle—unless that jungle is also cursed, full of bloodthirsty monsters, and happens to be at the center of a Lovecraftian conspiracy no one has ever escaped. The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu throws players and up to three friends into an uncharted jungle on a remote island, supposedly in search of riches and treasure. Unfortunately, all they'll find are horrifying entities, warped landscapes, and a growing sense of paranoia-induced panic that slowly eats away at sanity. Unlike many horror games where the horror is right up front, this game's true fear comes in the form of psychological tricks and deceptive illusions that always lurk just beyond the edge of vision. Players never know what's real and what's not, who to trust and who to doubt, when to run and when to hide. That kind of internal turmoil can easily eat away at whatever's left of the grey matter. Before long, they'll start to wonder if they can even trust themselves. In this game, the fear isn't just outside—it's inside as well. While Requiem might offer horror on a silver platter, The Mound promises a slower, more insidious and sneaky kind of terror, the kind that won't let anyone sleep for days after finishing it.

7. REANIMAL 🐻

Remember Little Nightmares? Well, its creators apparently decided audiences weren't terrified nearly enough, and are all set to unleash the nightmare that is REANIMAL onto the world. This time, the story follows a young brother and sister trapped on an island they used to call home, but which has since turned into a home-turned-hell nightmare they can't escape. Every last one of their friends has mysteriously disappeared, without a trace or trail. Their mission is simple yet harrowing: find out what happened to the missing friends, rescue them if possible, and find a way to escape before the island swallows them whole. Of course, no plan survives contact with reality, and before long, just escaping with their lives seems like an impossible pipe dream. With panic-inducing landscapes and a clever use of scale that constantly makes players feel small and powerless, Tarsier Studios has once again reached directly into nightmares and converted fears into the digital world. The latest title from survival horror's best might keep players awake at night, but this upcoming experience from Tarsier Studios will make them wish they'd never woken up in the first place.

6. Directive 8020 🚀

If there's one popular horror setting that never stops being terrifying, it's space. There's something deeply frightening about being so far from home and knowing there's nowhere to run if things go south, and that's not even including what might be waiting out there in the dark abyss. The game begins with Earth on the brink of collapse, forcing humanity to look to the stars for survival. Surprisingly, a life-bearing planet is found within a reasonable distance, and a colony ship, the Cassiopeia, is launched at it like a bat out of hell. But what should have been humanity's fresh start turns into a nightmare when the vessel crash-lands. Stranded light-years from home, the crew soon discovers they're not alone; in space, nothing is as it seems, and death wears many faces. The most unsettling horror games are the ones that seem plausible, and Directive 8020 honestly doesn't land too far off the mark. Earth hasn't been doing too great these past few years, and climate scientists have been warning about change for decades. With billionaires talking publicly about colonizing other planets, games like Directive 8020 don't seem all that implausible anymore. Zombies are scary, but Directive 8020 is the kind of game that will sit in the back of the mind for years after playing it, wondering when it'll be our turn next.

5. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check 🧟

Not every horror game needs to put players in the boots of a gun-wielding hero to keep them on edge; sometimes, the scariest roles are the ones where they're just another survivor, forced to make judgment calls they're unqualified to make and can't take back. Quarantine Zone: The Last Check puts players in command of humanity's final blockade in the zombie apocalypse, where survivors come pouring in at a constant, panicked stream, desperate for shelter. The job? Decide who to let in, who to turn away, who to quarantine, and who to execute immediately before they spread infection to the last safe haven on Earth. Unlike other horror games, players aren't holding the gun, and they're not on the front lines; they're just making the decisions for the people who are, and if they screw up, all of humanity is doomed, and they'll be the only one to blame. That setup alone is already chilling enough, but the game's real weight comes from the intense moral pressure. Every survivor that steps foot past the borders has a story, and even though everyone deserves to live, some have to die, or countless others could be doomed. Even if the gun isn't in their hands, they're the one pulling the trigger. While Resident Evil Requiem will no doubt excel at terrifying encounters with monsters, Quarantine Zone taps into something far more insidious: the impossibly hopeless fear that humanity's survival might demand sacrificing one's own humanity to preserve it.

4. Dying Light: The Beast 🌙

Since 2015, the Dying Light series has always been about the thrill of racing through hordes, the terror of nightfall, and the desperation of surviving in a world overrun by the infected. If it's got "Dying Light" in its name, it's going to be good, but Dying Light: The Beast is about to take everything known about the franchise and turn it on its head. In The Beast, players aren't just running and gunning through the monster menace; they're becoming it. Playing once again as Kyle Crane, they find themselves scarred by years of torturous experiments at the hands of the sinister Baron, whose DNA tampering has left them caught between human and zombie. Struggling against the beast growing inside, they'll have to learn to control it before they can take revenge. Every encounter in the dangerous Castor Woods becomes more than just a battle to stay alive; it's a fight to resist the transformation from human to beast. And when night falls, that balance gets even harder to maintain. In Dying Light: The Beast, the enemy isn't just coming from the outside, but from the inside as well. The zombies may be coming from every angle in Resident Evil Requiem, but in The Beast? The call is coming from inside the house.

3. Little Nightmares III 🎪

Remember when Little Nightmares terrorized the gaming world back in 2017? And in 2021, when it brought that terror to new heights with Little Nightmares II? Well, get ready to wish you hadn't, because Little Nightmares III is about to be unleashed upon us all. This time, players follow Low and Alone, two best friends trying to escape the twisted dimension known as the Nowhere. The Nowhere is home to twisted monsters of every variety, and they're all too eager to get their hands on any intrusive little creatures that capture their attention. Both characters need to be ready to run, hide, and even use weapons to defend themselves at a moment's notice, because these monsters are truly lurking around every corner. From fleeing a colossal Monster Baby in the ruins of the Necropolis, to sneaking past swarms of ravenous Candy Weevils in a grotesque Candy Factory, Little Nightmares III keeps up the tradition of turning familiar childhood spaces into warped nightmares. These new settings are every bit as twisted, imaginative, and disturbing as expected from a Little Nightmares game, and players won't be looking at fairgrounds or ball pits the same way ever again after playing it. The zombies may be scary in Resident Evil Requiem, but at least they're human-sized; the monsters in Little Nightmares III only come in XL sizes, making escape seem almost like a fool's errand.

2. Macabre 🎭

Surviving against mindless hordes of zombies in Resident Evil games is hard enough, but Macabre takes it one step further. Instead of defending against brainless, undead monsters, players do everything in their power to survive against a mutated entity that adapts to their every move. Macabre is a 1–4 player co-op extraction horror game where the rules never stay the same for very long. Players and their team enter a volatile nightmare dimension known as the Rift, a perilous purgatory full of shifting maps, unstable conditions, and a horrifying, mutated creature that learns from every move they make. No two runs are ever identical, meaning most thinking and planning must be done on the fly. If they falter for even one moment, god only knows what will sink its claws into them the second they turn their back. That kind of unpredictability keeps players constantly on edge, but lawless dimensions and horrifying monsters aren't the only things to worry about in Macabre. The game raises the stakes by adding player choice into the mix: will they help each other escape as a team, or will they betray their friends for the lion's share of the loot? Trust is a fragile thing when survival isn't guaranteed, and sometimes the scariest thing in the Rift isn't what's hunting them; it's the person standing right beside them. At least players know they can't trust anything that walks on two legs in Resident Evil Requiem, but in Macabre? They never know which so-called teammate could snap and stab them in the back at a moment's notice.

1. Silent Hill f 🌫️

The Silent Hill series has always been synonymous with psychological terror, and while Resident Evil Requiem will no doubt be a standout hit in its own series, Silent Hill f looks like it's about to be a bold re-imagining of its entire haunting legacy. Set in 1960s Japan, Silent Hill f follows Shimizu Hinako in her quiet hometown of Ebisugaoka, as it's swallowed by a dense, eerie fog, transforming once-familiar streets into a haunting terrain. With reality crumbling quickly around her, Hinako must face distorted entities bearing familiar faces, unravel mind-bending environmental puzzles, and attempt to understand what's happened to her once-peaceful home. The answer she finds may not be the one she expects, however, and what she decides to do with it will shape her own fate, along with the fate of the entire world, forever. Silent Hill f's blend of psychological torment, grotesque imagery, and disturbing do-or-die choices, all thrown into a haunting new setting, could make it one of the most striking horror experiences in years, Requiem be damned. If it lands the way it's shaping up to, Silent Hill f could mark not just a comeback for the whole series, but a redefining chapter in psychological horror games altogether.

Game
Release Window (Expected)
Key Fear Factor

Gravewatch
2026
Desperate grave robbing turns undead nightmare

Of Lies and Rain
2026
VR sci-fi conspiracy between physical and digital

The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu
2026
Lovecraftian jungle madness and paranoia

REANIMAL
2026
Island horror from Little Nightmares creators

Directive 8020
2026
Space colony crash and shape-shifting death

Quarantine Zone: The Last Check
2026
Moral pressure of deciding who lives or dies

Dying Light: The Beast
2026
Transforming into the monster within

Little Nightmares III
2026
Giant monsters in twisted childhood spaces

Macabre
2026
Adaptive entity and player betrayal

Silent Hill f
2026
1960s Japanese psychological terror

As 2026 unfolds, these ten games prove that the survival horror genre is thriving beyond any single franchise. Whether players crave the moral weight of Quarantine Zone, the psychological fog of Silent Hill f, or the co-op betrayal of Macabre, there's a nightmare waiting for every taste. Resident Evil Requiem may be the headliner, but the supporting cast is more than capable of stealing the show—and a few nights of sleep along with it.

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

Hollow Knight Silksong's Balm for the Wounded quest sends you from Songclave to Whiteward to find Sherma. Complete it for rewards and 100%.

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

How to Start the Balm for the Wounded Quest

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

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

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

How to Find Sherma in Whiteward

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

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

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

Balm for the Wounded Quest Rewards

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

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

Reward
Details

🧵 Spool Fragment
Handed over by Sherma immediately after the rescue. One of two parts that increase Hornet's Silk Meter.

📜 Lost Merchant quest
Unlocked at the Wish Board in Songclave. Sends players after another missing character.

✅ Completion progress
Required for a 100% completion run in Hollow Knight Silksong.

Why the Quest Still Matters in 2026

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

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

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

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I'm Still Stuck In Greymoor While Silksong Speedrunners Beat It In 77 Minutes

Hollow Knight: Silksong speedrunning records shattered in 2025 as runners blitzed Pharloom; leaderboards now reveal even faster times.

It is 2026, and I have a confession: I am not a speedrunner. I am a normal player. I put my trousers on one leg at a time, I panic when a boss does a new move, and I have spent more time in Hollow Knight: Silksong's Greymoor than I care to admit. While I was busy being bullied by wave after wave of annoying birds, other people were beating the entire game in less time than it takes me to make a cup of tea and forget where I put it. What is wrong with me? Apparently, nothing. The consensus is that Silksong is pretty darn good. The only hang-up is that it is a little difficult. A little. Sure. And the sun is a little warm.

Back in September 2025, one week after its internet-breaking release, the speedrunning scene had already gone feral. The first person to post a sub-two-hour run was Onaku, with a time of 1:46. Then, hours later, they improved it to 1:19. Rival speedrunner BlueSR showed up and beat that with a 1:26, then kept plugging away until they shaved more minutes off and finished Silksong in 1:17. A new world record. And then? That record reportedly lasted just 11 minutes. Eleven minutes! I cannot even decide which bench to sit on in eleven minutes. By the time I typed this sentence, someone had probably already beaten the game while blindfolded, using a dance mat, and holding a conversation about gardening.

Let me put the early chaos into a table, because tables make my inadequacy feel organized.

Runner
Time
What I was doing

Onaku
1:46
Dying to birds

Onaku
1:19
Dying to different birds

BlueSR
1:26
Staring at a map

BlueSR
1:17
Still dying to birds

Speedruns are only going to get faster, too. Team Cherry confirmed that Silksong's first big update would make early game bosses Moorwing and Sister Splinter easier to beat. Just imagine how quickly people will finish the game once those changes are applied. Actually, do not imagine it. I am already intimidated enough. If Moorwing becomes less of a wall, the wall becomes a door, and speedrunners are going to kick that door down and sprint through Pharloom like they forgot to turn off the oven.

It is possible people have beaten Silksong even faster, and we will not know for sure just how quickly people are racing through Pharloom for another few weeks. The speedrun leaderboards for the Hollow Knight sequel opened on September 30, 2025. At that point, players could submit their runs and see how they stack up against some of Silksong's other speedrunners. Now that we are in 2026, those leaderboards are probably a graveyard of my self-esteem. The records from that first week are cute little history exhibits. The current times? I do not want to know. But I also absolutely want to know.

How do we gauge how far people can go? Look at the original Hollow Knight. Its record runs are almost down to just 30 minutes. According to HowLongToBeat, the first game takes, on average, five hours longer to finish than Silksong. Five hours! That is a whole workday of bug-related suffering. Maybe, by the time people are done, we could see players speeding through the sequel in less than half an hour. Maybe someone will beat it during a lunch break. Maybe someone already has. Maybe the true final boss is the leaderboard itself.

I am no speedrunner. If you are firmly in the camp of people who are enjoying Silksong but struggling with its difficulty, I am right there with you. I mentioned in the headline that Onaku beat the game in less time than it takes me to beat some of its boss fights, and that is kind of true. I am currently stuck on the bit in Greymoor where you have to beat wave after wave of annoying birds before you can progress. I am fairly certain I have been stuck there for at least two hours. Two hours. That is longer than some people needed to finish the entire game. I have not finished one screen. I have not even finished one bird. The birds are winning. The birds have always been winning.

So what is taking me so long? I would like to blame the game. I would like to blame the birds. I would like to blame the fact that I keep pressing the wrong button because I am too busy admiring the art. But the truth is simpler: speedrunners are built different. They see a boss and think, ah, a minor inconvenience. I see a boss and think, ah, a new reason to lie down. They memorize frames. I memorize the sound of my own defeat. They optimize routes. I optimize excuses.

Still, there is hope. Silksong is a great game, even when it is kicking my teeth in. The difficulty is part of the charm, or at least that is what I tell myself while a bird the size of a small horse dive-bombs me for the fourteenth time. If you need me, I will be in Greymoor, practicing the ancient art of not learning from my mistakes. The speedrunners can have their 1:17. I will have my two-hour bird marathon. We are both beating the game, just at very different definitions of beating.

And hey, maybe one day I will submit my run to the leaderboard. I will call it the comedy category. The judges will laugh. The birds will laugh. I will cry. It will be beautiful. 🐦💀

There is one small barrier between watching a 1:17 run and attempting your own: you actually have to own the game. If the birds of Greymoor have convinced you to take a breather and finally work through the rest of your backlog, or if you are eyeing a second copy for a friend who keeps insisting they could do better, it helps to know where the prices are lowest. DealNest is the kind of place worth bookmarking for that — it tracks down [cheapest steam keys]( across a huge range of titles, so the money you save can go toward the emotional support snacks you will need for Pharloom.

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Roach Guts Quest in Silksong: My 2026 Guide to Crull, Benjin, and Tacks

Hollow Knight: Silksong guide: find Crull and Benjin in Sinner's Road, farm 10 Muckroaches for Roach Guts, and earn the Tacks tool.

Hey, fellow Hallownest wanderer! 🐛 It's 2026, and I'm still hopelessly addicted to Hollow Knight: Silksong. If you're stuck in Sinner's Road, you've probably met Crull and Benjin, the two quirky bugs who want you to hunt down 10 Muckroaches. I remember my first run—I died more times to those roaches than I'd like to admit. But trust me, the reward is a game-changer. So grab your needle, and let's dive into the Roach Guts quest.

Where to Find Crull and Benjin

First things first: you need to reach their hut. It's in the top right corner of the room, east of the broken Sinner's Road bench. To get there, you'll need Cling Grip (Wall Jump) on the left side of the room, then pogo off the floating spikes, and finally use Drifter's Cloak (Float) to glide into their little abode. It's like threading a needle while riding a unicycle—tricky but doable. Once inside, talk to the two bugs, and they'll ask you to slay 10 Muckroaches and collect their guts. Sounds gross, right? But the payoff is sweet.

The Best Muckroach Farming Spot

Muckroaches are scattered all over Sinner's Road, but the most efficient farming location is in the long tunnel directly underneath the bench, to the left of the locked Green Prince. Here's my routine:

Rest at the Sinner's Road bench to set your respawn point.

Exit through the right exit.

Drop down to the bottom, then turn left.

You'll see three Muckroaches: two on the ground and one on top of a cage.

Kill them, and collect the Roach Guts that drop from their carcasses. Rinse and repeat until you have 10. It's a bit like collecting eggs from a very angry chicken coop—you have to be fast, or you'll get pecked. Each run takes about a minute, so you'll have your 10 guts in no time.

The Reward: Tacks Tool

Once you've got 10 Roach Guts, return to Crull and Benjin. They'll reward you with the Tacks tool—a Red Tool that functions like caltrops. Hornet can throw them on the ground, and enemies who step on them take damage. You get 6 charges, and each charge costs 8 Shell Shards to restore at a bench.

Every time you use Tacks, Hornet throws out 4-5 caltrops, each dealing roughly half a Needle hit's worth of damage. It's like scattering a handful of tiny, explosive jacks on the floor—enemies step on them and immediately regret their existence. I've used Tacks to turn entire arenas into a hazard zone, especially against slow, grounded bosses. It's not just a tool; it's a tactical nuke in your pocket.

Tips and Tricks

Farm efficiently: The tunnel under the bench is the best spot. Just keep resting and re-entering.

Watch your step: Muckroaches can be surprisingly aggressive. Use your needle's range to your advantage.

Save Shell Shards: Restoring Tacks charges can get expensive, so use them wisely.

Boss fights: Tacks shine against bosses like the grounded ones in Sinner's Road. Lure them onto the caltrops and watch their health melt.

Combine with other tools: Tacks work great with area-denial tools or long-range attacks.

Final Thoughts

The Roach Guts quest is one of the most rewarding side quests in early Silksong. It's a bit grindy, but the Tacks tool is absolutely worth it. In 2026, with all the patches and updates, this quest remains a must-do for any serious player. So go out there, hunt some roaches, and turn the battlefield into a pincushion. Happy hunting! 🎮

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Silksong's Difficulty Debate: Why Mods And Assist Modes Make Hard Games Better

Hollow Knight: Silksong mods in 2026 tame unfair difficulty while preserving brutal boss fights and atmospheric exploration.

When Hollow Knight: Silksong finally arrived in 2025, it did not simply meet expectations. It crushed them under a hail of spikes, winged beasts, and bosses that refused to forgive. By 2026, the game remains a beautiful, brutal landmark. One particular player, a wanderer who had adored the original Hollow Knight from a distance but never mastered it, stepped into Silksong with hope. They left the first hour bruised. The art was adorable. The music enchanted. The stories whispered from every mossy corner. Yet the combat and platforming demanded more than admiration. They demanded proof. ⚔️

The player quickly learned that Silksong was not interested in gentle onboarding. Standard enemies in the opening hour could deal double damage with ordinary attacks. Bosses layered deadly combos together, leaving no obvious escape. Trial and error was part of the experience, but after enough failures, the player understood why some people put the controller down and never returned. The game wanted mastery, and it wanted it immediately. 🕷️

Yet the player did not want to abandon the world. They loved the character designs, the haunting soundtrack, and the mythic stories unfolding around every corner. To enjoy those things, however, they needed to become a warrior who let nothing stand in their way. They believed they were capable. They also knew their patience had limits, especially with so many other responsibilities pulling at their time. That was the real conflict: not a lack of skill, but a lack of hours. ⏳

Mods Became a Personal Lantern

Thankfully, the player was not alone. By 2026, the modding community had already created thoughtful adjustments for Silksong. Some mods removed the excessive double damage that had made early enemies feel unfair. Others ensured that tools like the compass remained active at all times, turning exploration from a memory test into a gentler journey. None of these mods transformed the game into something unrecognizable. They simply filled in the cracks that many players had complained about. 🧭

With those changes, the player found a new rhythm. They could still be punished for careless mistakes. Bosses still demanded pattern recognition and precise movement. But they no longer felt buried by cheap damage. They had a chance to see more of Silksong, to breathe in its atmosphere, and to appreciate the craftsmanship without being constantly walled off from it. The challenge remained. It was simply curated to their preferences while keeping the heart and soul of the experience intact. 🎮

If a mod makes a game more enjoyable for more people, it is difficult to see how that could be a bad thing. The player was not asking for a victory button. They were asking for a version of the game that respected their time. And in 2026, that request feels less controversial than ever. Official difficulty options are common in many genres. Even FromSoftware games, which built their reputation on uncompromising design, could benefit from a selection of difficulty settings. The original vision would remain for those who want it. Others would simply get a door instead of a wall. 🚪

Celeste Already Showed the Way

The debate around Silksong reminded the player of Celeste. That masterful indie platformer was also very difficult. Its story involved climbing a literal mountain while facing inner demons, so the challenge made thematic sense. Playing Celeste without adjustments would kick most people around. Reaching the end of each level was possible for determined players, but seeing everything, including collectibles and bonus levels, was a Herculean task. 🏔️

Celeste offered an Assist Mode. Players could personally adjust game speed, stamina, air dashes, and invincibility. Turn everything up, and the game could be completed without taking a single hit. That was not the intended experience, but Celeste still offered it because player choice mattered. Maddy Makes Games had a narrative it wanted as many people as possible to experience. Even if that meant turning the gameplay into a delightful pixel-art walk in the park, the studio understood that accessibility did not erase the game's soul. 💖

The player had used Assist Mode in Celeste and still considered it a masterpiece. They did not feel robbed of satisfaction. They felt included. That memory made the Silksong discourse feel painfully familiar. A difficult game can remain difficult while also offering ways for more people to reach its ending. The two ideas are not enemies. They are neighbors. 🏘️

The Strange Entitlement Around Difficulty

Unfortunately, video game difficulty settings still carry a bizarre aura of entitlement. Some players act as if their preferred way of playing is the only legitimate way. They forget that games are entertainment, art, and personal experiences. If someone uses mods to soften double damage or keeps a compass active, that choice does not diminish anyone else's victory. It does not remove the challenge from the original version. It simply allows another person to enjoy the same world. 🌍

The player eventually returned to Silksong with a mixture of mods and stubborn determination. They still died. They still cursed. They still felt their heart race during boss fights. But they also saw more of the Mossgreen Grotto. They heard more of the music. They uncovered more of the story. The game remained hard, and they remained proud of every small victory. The difference was that they were no longer locked out of the experience they had waited years to enjoy. 🔓

Approach
What It Changes
Why It Helps

Mods
Removes double damage, keeps compass active
Makes exploration and early combat less punishing

Celeste Assist Mode
Adjusts speed, stamina, dashes, invincibility
Allows more players to experience the narrative

Official difficulty options
Curates challenge through developer-approved settings
Respects player choice without altering the default vision

Hollow Knight: Silksong is a hard game, and hard games are not for everybody. But if mods or official means of tuning its challenge allow more people to reach the end or see everything it has to offer, the wider community should not complain. The player did not want Silksong to become easy. They wanted it to become theirs. By 2026, that seems like a reasonable wish. 🌱

In the end, the player climbed their own version of the mountain. They did not touch every spike with perfect grace. They did not defeat every boss on the first try. But they kept going, and they found joy in a world that had almost pushed them away. If that is not a victory worth celebrating, then perhaps the community needs to step outside, find some grass, and remember why people play games in the first place. 🍃

That same patience the player learned to apply inside Silksong has a strange way of showing up outside of it. Waiting for the right moment to strike an enemy, holding a dash until the last second, deciding when a risk is actually worth taking — these habits follow a person into other parts of life, including the way they spend money. Games like this one rarely go on sale at launch, and a sequel with years of anticipation behind it will hold its price for a long while. Watching a listing instead of buying on impulse, checking back after a seasonal event, noticing when a bundle quietly drops below its usual floor — that is its own kind of patient play.

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A Hornet's Guide to Every Simple Key in Silksong

Find every Simple Key location and Simple Lock use in Hollow Knight: Silksong with this concise Pharloom guide.

I still remember the first time I saw a Simple Lock in Hollow Knight: Silksong. It was a smug little door in the Deep Docks, and I had no key. I had Rosaries, a needle, and a bad attitude, but none of that mattered. What good is a key if you forget where the lock is? And what good is a lock if you never find the key? As of 2026, Pharloom has not gotten any kinder, so I am writing down every Simple Key location and every Simple Lock use I have found, so you do not have to backtrack through a thousand crawling tunnels like I did.

Simple Keys are single-use, which is why I treat each one like a precious secret. There are only four in the game, and each one opens a specific door. If you waste one, you will feel it. So let us walk through the keys first, then the locks.

The Four Simple Keys of Pharloom

Key #
Location
Cost or Requirement
What to Remember

1
Bone Bottom
500 Rosaries
Buy from Pebb the merchant

2
Sinner's Road
Double jump or clawline
Top northeastern corner, survive the ambush

3
Sands of Karak
Quick traversal before the path vanishes
Far east bench, body of a dead bug

4
The Wandering Merchant quest
650 Rosaries
Find Jubilana, then unlock her at First Shrine

1. Bone Bottom: Pebb's Price

The first key is the easiest to understand and the hardest to afford early on. I walked up to Pebb the merchant in Bone Bottom, and he wanted 500 Rosaries. That felt like a fortune when I was still learning how to survive. I farmed, completed wishes, and scraped together the cost. If you are short, do not rush into every locked door you see. Trust me, the key is not going anywhere.

2. Sinner's Road: The Top-Floor Ambush

Sinner's Road taught me that vertical exploration is its own kind of horror. The second Simple Key sits in the top northeastern corner. You need the double jump or the clawline to cling to walls and climb to the top. Hit the lever to access the top floor, and then get ready. Hornet is ambushed by a big enemy. I died twice before I learned its rhythm, but defeating it rewards the key. Who would have thought a simple climb could turn into a boss fight?

3. Sands of Karak: A Dead Bug's Gift

The third key is a test of speed and nerve. In the Sands of Karak, I had to hit a branch and move quickly before the path disappeared. Once I was far east, I kept going in the same direction until I reached a bench with a body on it. I grabbed the Simple Key from the dead bug. It is grim, but in Pharloom, grim is just another word for Tuesday.

4. The Wandering Merchant: Jubilana's Final Key

The last key comes from The Wandering Merchant quest. I found Jubilana, then returned to the First Shrine to unlock her as a merchant. After collecting 650 Rosaries, I bought the Simple Key. It is expensive, but by this point you should have a decent Rosary route. If you do not, hunt down wishes and sell what you can spare.

Where to Use Every Simple Lock

Now for the part that actually matters. A key without a lock is just a shiny regret. Here is where I used each one.

Deep Docks: The Bellway Door

From the Deep Docks Bellway, head right to the lower door. Attack the lever to go down deeper and enter the path below the Forge Daughter. At the end, there is a locked door that reveals a huge part of the Deep Docks. You can access this area later from Far Fields after acquiring certain abilities, but using the Simple Key here gives you a head start with exploration. I chose the early route, and it paid off.

Sinner's Road: The Green Prince's Cage

In the vertical room right next to the bench where Shakra is singing in Sinner's Road, I found the Green Prince imprisoned in a cage. Climb a few cages, then glide down the left to access the Simple Lock. The NPC asks Hornet not to free him, but you have to do it to trigger his quest. Sometimes being a hero means ignoring good advice.

Wormways: The Alchemist's Assistant and Sharpdart

Upon accessing Wormways, keep going left while avoiding the falling worms until a door eventually appears. This opens more parts of the area, lets you complete the Alchemist’s Assistant quest, and unlocks the Sharpdart skill. That skill is hidden behind a Needolin door that can only be reached by using the clawline and double jump abilities.

Sharpdart is worth the trouble. It changes how you move and fight, and it makes some later platforming sections far less cruel.

High Halls: Rosary Cannon and Pale Rosary Necklace

The door in High Halls is easily accessed from the station location. Unlock the door and head inside to find an obstacle blocking the path leading up. Destroy and navigate the tunnels while avoiding the deadly wheels until you reach the end. There are two paths available. Head down first to get the Rosary Cannon, then go up to collect a lot of Rosaries and open a chest containing the Pale Rosary Necklace. I went up first once, and I regretted it. Learn from my mistake.

Final Thoughts

Simple Keys are not just items. They are choices. Each one forces you to decide which part of Pharloom you want to open early, and which part can wait. In 2026, with more players than ever crawling through Silksong, I still see the same question: where do I use this key? My answer is simple. Use it where it hurts least to wait, and where it helps most to explore now. For me, that meant Deep Docks first, then the Green Prince, then Wormways, and finally High Halls. Your path may differ, but at least now you know where every key hides. Good luck out there, and do not waste your Rosaries on regret.

If hunting down four Simple Keys taught you anything, it's that patience and a bit of planning stretch your resources further than impulse ever will. The same logic applies to building your library. Most of us have a wishlist full of games we'd happily play right now but not at full price, and waiting for the right moment to buy is its own kind of sequence break — you skip the sting and still get where you wanted to go. That's exactly the problem [cheapest steam keys]( was built to solve, gathering discounted keys from reputable sellers into one place so you're not tab-hopping between storefronts comparing numbers.

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Borderlands 4 Reviews: A Redemption Arc or a Safe Bet?

Borderlands 4 review: Gearbox's looter-shooter fixes Borderlands 3's flaws with open-world gameplay, though its safe villain and story may feel dull.

I've been a Borderlands fan since the original, and like many of you, I was left feeling a bit... underwhelmed by Borderlands 3. The humor felt forced, the villains were annoying, and the story just didn't land. So when Borderlands 4 was announced, I was cautiously optimistic. Now that we're in 2026 and the dust has settled, the reviews are in, and it looks like Gearbox might have actually pulled it off. But is it the massive improvement everyone hoped for, or did they play it too safe? Let's dive in.

The Consensus: A Big Step Up from Borderlands 3

If you've been living under a rock, here's the scoop: Borderlands 4 is being praised as a course correction for the series. Our own review at Screen Rant boldly called it "the best game in the series so far." IGN said it's "the massive kick in the pants [the series] needed" after "fizzling somewhat with Borderlands 3." That's high praise, right? Even other outlets agree it's a step in the right direction, even if it's not perfect.

But here's where it gets interesting. GameSpot noted that Borderlands 4 fixing its predecessor's issues also works "to its detriment." They said, "Borderlands 4 is cranked so far in the other direction that the resulting game feels like a strange imitation of the series." Ouch. So, is it possible to overcorrect? Maybe. But from what I've seen, the core looter-shooter gameplay is still intact and satisfying, so I'm willing to forgive a little identity crisis.

The Villain Problem: Timekeeper vs. Handsome Jack

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the antagonist. Borderlands 3 gave us the Twins, who were widely considered annoying and cringey. Borderlands 4 introduces The Timekeeper. According to GamesRadar, "The Timekeeper is a very safe antagonist – which is an improvement upon Borderlands 3's actively abrasive Twins, but still rather dull." So, not a home run, but at least he's not actively hated.

GameSpot added that "Borderlands 4 seems to do everything in its power to make sure that its characters cannot be hated." Is that a good thing? Well, after the Twins, maybe a safe, inoffensive villain is exactly what the series needed. It's like they said, "Let's not make everyone mad this time." And honestly, I'll take dull over grating any day.

Open World and Gameplay: The Real Star

The big advancement here is the open-world design. Reviews are celebrating it as a high point. I've always loved the semi-open areas of previous games, but a full open world? That sounds like a dream. The gameplay is making significant strides, and many reviewers note that the series' typically irreverent humor comes out in the side content, while the main story is a bit more dramatic. That balance might be the key to pleasing both old-school fans and newcomers.

Is It the Best in the Series?

Screen Rant's assertion that it's the best game in the series is particularly interesting, since Borderlands 2 has reigned supreme since 2012. Handsome Jack is a tough act to follow. The Timekeeper doesn't appear to be Handsome Jack-level compelling, but the gameplay iteration seems to have picked up the slack. So, can a game with a "safe" story and a "dull" villain still be the best? If the gameplay is that good, absolutely.

Let's break down the pros and cons as I see them based on the reviews:

Pros ✅
Cons ❌

Open-world design is a delight
Story is safe and unremarkable

Gameplay improvements are significant
Villain is dull compared to Handsome Jack

Humor is back in side content
Main story takes itself more seriously (could be good or bad)

Fixes many of Borderlands 3's issues
Overcorrection makes it feel like an imitation at times

My Take: Cautiously Optimistic

As a longtime fan, I'm excited. It sounds like Borderlands 4 is a hit, taking significant strides and making a concerted effort to fix its predecessor's issues. Will it dethrone Borderlands 2 in my heart? Only time will tell. But for now, I'm just happy that Gearbox seems to be listening to the fans. What do you think? Are you ready to dive back into Pandora (or wherever this one takes place)? Let me know in the comments!

🎮 So there you have it. Borderlands 4 might not be perfect, but it's a massive step in the right direction. And after the misstep of Borderlands 3, that's exactly what the series needed. Whether you're a veteran Vault Hunter or a newcomer, it sounds like there's plenty to love here. I know I'll be jumping back in.

Of course, all this excitement comes with the usual question: when and where to actually pick it up. With multiple editions, pre-order bonuses, and platform-specific offers flying around, prices can vary a lot between storefronts, and the difference is often more than a few bucks. If you'd rather not overpay out of sheer hype, it's worth taking five minutes to [compare prices here]( before committing to a copy.

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My Painful Journey Through Silksong's High Halls to the Conductor's Melody

Hollow Knight: Silksong High Halls guide details secrets, Clawline use, and mastering the brutal Conductor's Melody arena.

As I neared the end of Hollow Knight: Silksong, I found myself chasing the last of the three melodies needed to reach The Cradle. And of course, it was the Conductor's Melody that stood between me and the finale. Getting there meant surviving the High Halls and one of the most brutal enemy wave arenas I've ever faced—harder, in my opinion, than most dedicated boss fights in the game. So here's how I did it.

Accessing the High Halls

You reach the High Halls through the Choral Chambers. Exit out the top left side of the map, but don't bother unless you have the Clawline (grappling hook) ability. Trust me, you literally cannot explore this area without it. And if you want all the secrets, I'd also wait until you have the Faydown Cloak (double jump). I learned that the hard way.

High Halls Walkthrough + Secrets

After climbing the grappling hooks, you enter an area with a cascading stream running downward. Your goal is to go against the current. Stay out of the water by grappling and avoid enemies. The first foe is a sword-wielding bug called a Maestro with three little minions circling him. Jump attack between their gaps and leap over the minions he throws.

Next, you enter a room where you can either rise up via a rotating grapple or float down while popping into each room. The bottom room has a shard cluster—nothing special—so head up. You'll meet a floating enemy called a Minister. These are deadly and can deal two masks of damage if you get caught in their flurry. Use ranged tools if you have them, or aggro them, wait for their attack to end, then pogo a few times and repeat.

At the top, there's an exit that needs double jump. If you have it, check it out—it's a rough platforming sequence where you fight two Ministers while grappling up. Survive and you'll get a Spool Fragment. After that, drop back and head right to ascend further upstream. Fight another Maestro, but when two Ministers pop up, ignore them and gun for the exit on the right.

This takes you to an area where you can go up or down. Up leads to a chest full of Rosaries, so poke around quickly. Then carefully use your Drifter's Cloak to float down through gaps in the spikes below. Latch onto grapples and hang there to reveal gaps and gradually find a path down. You'll come to a room on the left—head inside.

Inside, there's a workbench where you can craft the Cogfly Tool if you have Craftmetal. This spawns little minions of your own in battle. It has a high shard cost but is very effective. After that, drop down the running waterfall and jump through to reveal a secret path. It has a shard cluster, but an enemy spawns in a tight space, so skip it if your health is low.

Head back out to the left and keep floating down. Avoid the enemy outside if you didn't kill them—they won't follow. Once you navigate the spikes, go into the left room to find a Frayed Rosary String in a giant baby stroller. Then head back out and down to find a Ventrica Station (unlock for 80 Rosaries) and a bench. You can also buy a map for 70 Rosaries.

The only unexplored area is the far end of the hall to your left. There's a shortcut back to the Choral Chamber, and further along is the battle arena from hell that stands between you and the Conductor's Melody. Good luck.

Preparing for the Conductor's Battle Arena

You could go in blind, but you'll have a bad time unless you prepare. None of this is essential, but it helps massively. Here's the Crest and Tool setup I used:

Slot
Tool
Why

Crest
Crest of the Reaper
Passively collect silk more consistently → heal more often

Red
Weavelight
Synergy with Reaper for silk generation

Blue
Warding Bell
Safety net when you can't heal

Yellow
Scuttlebrace
Extra maneuverability (interchangeable)

Yellow
Ascendant's Grip
Key for final phase—hang on walls indefinitely

Yellow
Threefold Pin
Great for crowd control each wave

Yellow
Cogfly
Passive damage from safety toward the end

The Ascendant's Grip is crucial. The mini-bosses can't hit you when you're hanging on the wall, giving you time to regroup and harpoon to safety.

How to Get the Conductor's Melody (Wave by Wave)

Okay, let's walk through this hell one wave at a time.

Wave 1: Envoy + two Reeds

Take out the flying enemies first by continuously pogoing in the air, then kill the Envoy between charge attacks. You can clear this without touching the ground.

Wave 2: Two Choristors

Their thread attack hits for two masks. Pogo when safe, but if they wind up for a stronger attack, dash across the room.

Wave 3: Reed, Bellbearer, Clawmaiden

Prioritize the Clawmaiden—it steals your silk and healing. Heal or use a silk skill immediately to avoid waste. Watch for bouncing bells from the Bellbearer.

Wave 4: Two Ministers

You know these from the High Halls, but now you have a solid floor. Take your time, carve openings, and don't pogo too much—they're more dangerous in the air. When one dies, a Clawmaiden appears. Use your silk and kill it fast.

Wave 5: Two Maestro minions

Focus one and clear it fast while watching for Cogfly attacks from the other side. Then the leftover is easy.

Mini-Boss 1: Choir Clapper

This hulking beast has four attacks: a slam that creates a light bubble AOE, a slam that creates a pulsing ground wave, a standard slam, and a jumping slam. The standard slam is most dangerous—harpoon or sprint away immediately. Use walls to avoid the bubble, hop toward them for the ground pulse and get a few hits, and when they jump, dash below and hit from behind. Practice makes perfect.

Wave 6: Two Reeds + one Bellbearer

Nothing new. Take the Bellbearer out first to avoid stray bells.

Wave 7: Two Bellbearers + one Reed

Same strategy. A Clawmaiden will pop in—kill it as fast as it appears.

Wave 8: Bellbearer + two Ministers

Take out the Bellbearer fast, then the Ministers are trivial on the ground.

Wave 9: Reed + Maestro

Use your Threefold Pin to kill the Reed fast, then deal with the Cogfly enemy.

Final Phase: Two mini-bosses together

This is a nightmare. Spam all your weapon tools immediately, then get to the top of the screen and hang on the wall. Use your grapple hook to reach the safest side, get a few hits, then climb the other wall and repeat. Once you clear one, come down and fight the other like the first mini-boss. Survive this, and you've cleared the arena.

Easier said than done, but I believe in you. The Conductor's Melody is worth every drop of sweat. 🎮💀

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How I Triggered the Trail's End Quest in Silksong: A Player's Guide

Trigger Hollow Knight Silksong's Trail's End quest with Shakra in Bilewater and earn the Throwing Ring.

I still remember the frustration of wandering through Bellhart's Wish Board, staring at empty slots, wondering why Shakra's plea for help never showed up. But after hours of trial and error, I finally triggered the Trail's End quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong — and let me tell you, the reward is absolutely worth it. If you're stuck like I was, here's exactly how I did it, step by step.

What Is the Trail's End Quest?

Trail's End is a Wayfarer-type quest, much like the My Missing Brother quest. Shakra, the wandering warrior, is searching for her master, and she asks Hornet — that's you — to meet her in the sewers near the Citadel, also known as Bilewater. Completing it rewards you with Shakra's gratitude and a powerful tool: the Throwing Ring. Sounds simple, right? But triggering it? That's where things get tricky.

How to Trigger the Quest

First things first: you need to grab the quest from the Wish Board in Bellhart. Of course, the Bellhart curse must be removed for the board to display any available quests, and you can only pick it up in Act 2. But what if the Trail's End quest just won't appear? I ran into that exact problem. Here's what solved it for me:

Locate Shakra and purchase all the map pieces if you haven't already. This is crucial — she won't offer the quest if you haven't bought her maps.

Complete the first and second batches of wishes already on the board. The game seems to gate new quests behind your progress.

Try acquiring some Melodies, like the Architect's and Vaultkeeper's, after defeating the Cogwork Dancers boss. I grabbed both, and the quest popped up shortly after.

Meeting Shakra in Bilewater

Once the quest is active, Shakra asks you to meet her in Bilewater to finally find her master. She can be found under a waterfall in the northeast part of Bilewater, along a path that only unlocks during the Trail's End quest. If you've already obtained the Key of Apostate by climbing Bilewater to reach Putrified Ducts, you're in luck — it's the exact same route. For those who haven't, start from the area's Bellway and go up, then turn right. You'll spot one of Shakra's rings, which Hornet can use to track the warrior's trail.

Step-by-Step Path (From My Own Playthrough)

Head right across the swamp into a long vertical room. Another ring appears here.

Use the double jump to go up, and use the vertical platforms to shield Hornet from enemy attacks. Climb higher to the room on the right.

Keep going in the same direction until another vertical room appears. Take advantage of the green bulbs and enemies to push yourself up with the clawline skill, landing on the higher left platform.

Use the same technique to go up towards the path that unlocks through the Trail's End quest, and cling to the wall.

Proceed forward along the path until you reach the waterfall where Shakra is with her master.

Here's a quick summary table I made for myself:

Step
Action
Tip

1
Grab quest from Bellhart Wish Board
Remove curse first, Act 2 only

2
Buy all map pieces from Shakra
Don't skip this!

3
Complete first two wish batches
Progress gates

4
Defeat Cogwork Dancers, get Melodies
Architect's & Vaultkeeper's

5
Follow rings in Bilewater
Use clawline & double jump

6
Reach waterfall, meet Shakra
Quest complete!

Why Bother? The Reward

After all that climbing, jumping, and dodging, you finally reach the waterfall. Shakra is there with her master, and the quest completes. Your reward? The Throwing Ring — a powerful tool that I've been using ever since. It's a game-changer for ranged combat, especially against flying enemies. Was it worth the headache of triggering the quest? Absolutely. 🎉

Final Thoughts

Silksong doesn't always make its quest triggers obvious. The Trail's End quest is a perfect example: you need the right map pieces, the right wish progress, and even specific Melodies. But once you know the steps, it's a breeze. So, have you triggered Trail's End yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Grab that quest, head to Bilewater, and give Shakra a hand. Trust me — you'll be glad you did.

If there's one lesson this quest teaches, it's that a little patience and the right route pay off far better than brute force. That same mindset carries over into how I shop for games now — instead of grabbing the first full-price listing I see, I take a few extra minutes to compare prices and see what's actually discounted before committing. Lately, that habit has led me to [game deals today]( where DealNest rounds up current discounts across a range of platforms so you don't have to sift through a dozen storefronts yourself.

Whether you're filling the gap between Silksong sessions or finally clearing out your wishlist, it's worth checking what's on offer before you buy. A quick look at DealNest can save you enough to justify picking up that next adventure — no backtracking required.

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How I Beat Lumble the Lucky's Dice Game Every Time in Silksong

Beat Lumble the Lucky in Silksong's dice game with the 14-shake trick to earn Magnetite Dice, a tool that can negate damage.

Silksong is hard. Water is wet. The sky is blue. And I, a simple gamer with the reflexes of a sleepy grub, spent my first week getting absolutely folded by bugs that looked like they belonged in a plushie collection. Team Cherry even nerfed some early-game bosses after everyone screamed into the void, which was nice, but it did not stop me from walking into the Blasted Steps and immediately questioning my life choices. 🐛💀

The thing that eventually saved me was not skill. It was tools. Silksong gets a lot easier once you start building up Hornet's roster of tools, because they provide buffs, passive effects, and occasionally the kind of miracle that makes you whisper thank you to your screen. One of the best tools in the game has a chance of completely negating damage. Completely. As in, a boss hits you with a truck-sized attack and Hornet just shrugs. That tool is the Magnetite Dice. And getting it means beating Lumble the Lucky at his own dice game ten times. Ten. Times. 😵

Lumble the Lucky Is a Menace to My Wallet

A fair bit into your journey, you will reach the Blasted Steps. That is where you meet Lumble the Lucky, a stout bug who sits around waiting for someone to play dice with him. Hornet can be that someone. If you play normally, the result of your roll is completely random. You only know whether you won by Hornet's reaction after she throws the dice. That is already stressful, but here is the worse part: playing costs Rosaries, and you need ten wins to unlock Lumble's unique reward. Ten wins in a random dice game. My Rosary count wept. My patience packed its bags and left. 💸

The 14-Shake Trick That Saved My Sanity

Then I learned the cheese. According to the community, and later my own sweaty experimentation, you can guarantee a win by waiting until Hornet has shaken the dice exactly 14 times, then letting go at that precise moment. That is roughly four to five seconds of waiting, because the animation plays the same way every single time. It is not a myth. It is not a rumor born from one lucky night. It works. ⏱️🎲

Getting the timing down is a little tough. I missed it maybe five times before I found the rhythm. Then I won. Then I won again. Then I won ten times and felt like a genius who had outsmarted a fictional beetle. Here is the routine I used:

Step
What I did
Why it matters

1
Found Lumble in the Blasted Steps
He is waiting for a victim, I mean, a player

2
Started the dice game
It costs Rosaries, so focus

3
Watched Hornet shake the dice
Count every shake, not just the vibe

4
Released on shake number 14
This is the magic moment

5
Repeated ten times
Magnetite Dice, here I come

Magnetite Dice: The Reward for My Dice Crimes

Beating the dice game unlocks the Magnetite Dice. These dice have a chance of completely negating any damage Hornet takes. Fittingly, it is entirely luck-based and not guaranteed. But when it procs, it feels like the game itself blinked first. Against some of the truly tough late-game boss battles, that random save can be the difference between a triumphant scream and a defeated sigh. It is one of the best tools in Silksong, and I will die on that hill. Probably to a boss, but still. 🎲✨

A 2026 Check-In: Does the Cheese Still Work?

As of 2026, Silksong has had plenty of patches, plenty of discourse, and plenty of players discovering new ways to suffer. The 14-shake trick remains a beloved community shortcut. I have not heard of Team Cherry removing it, and honestly, I hope they never do. Some cheeses are not bugs. They are emergency snacks. 🧀

Should You Feel Bad About Cheesing Lumble?

No. Absolutely not. Silksong is a game that will happily kick you down a well, steal your lunch money, and then ask you to parry the well. If a dice minigame has a timing exploit, use it. Lumble is lucky. You are clever. That is fair. Besides, you are not cheating another player. You are cheating a fictional bug who probably has loaded dice anyway. Have you seen that guy's face? He knows something. 😤

So if you are stuck in the Blasted Steps, low on Rosaries, and dreaming of a tool that occasionally says no to damage, try the 14-shake method. Count. Breathe. Release. Win. Then go use your Magnetite Dice to survive whatever nightmare comes next. And if you miss the timing, well, at least you are not alone. We have all been out-lucked by a bug. 🐛🎲

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Hollow Knight: Silksong Twisted Bud Quest Guide: From Crying Bud to Witch Crest

Hollow Knight: Silksong Twisted Bud guide: find it in Bilewater, deliver it to Shellwood for the cursed Rite of Rebirth.

In the sprawling world of Hollow Knight: Silksong, few side quests are as bizarre and unsettling as the one involving the Twisted Bud. This living, crying item—yes, it actually cries every time the player opens their inventory, map, or quest log—sets off a chain of events that leads to dark rituals, a nasty curse, and ultimately a powerful reward. Even in 2026, with countless guides and patches, this quest remains a rite of passage for any serious player. So, how does one find this twisted little thing, and what exactly should be done with it? Let's break it down step by step.

Where to Find the Twisted Bud

First things first: the player must have reached Act 2 of the story or unlocked the Faydown Cloak in Mount Fay. While the cloak route is possible, it involves navigating poisonous lakes and tough enemies from Sinner's Road. A far easier path is to simply progress through Act 2 until reaching the Whispering Vaults. There, the player should find the first room with puzzle boxes, then strike the right wall near the ceiling with the Nail to reveal a secret passage. Inside, one can either grab a Memory Locket (highly recommended) or drop down to Bilewater.

Before descending, the player should rest on a Bench and convert all Rosaries into Rosary Strings—because the plan is to grab the bud and then deliberately die to escape Bilewater quickly. Equipping the red tool Cogfly helps with flying enemies. Once in Bilewater, the player should follow the left path until dropping into an area with multiple routes. The player should keep going left as far as possible, hitting walls to reveal secret passages. Eventually, the player will reach a dead-end room where a baby's desperate crying can be heard. Follow that sound to collect the Twisted Bud. Then, let an enemy defeat the player to return to the last Bench. Now, the player can check the menu: the bud will cry constantly, and it looks like something straight out of Bloodborne.

What to Do With the Twisted Bud

With the bud in inventory, the player should fast-travel to Bellhart, rest on the Bench, and again ensure no Rosaries are carried—convert them into Rosary Strings if needed. While in Bellhart, the player should talk to Pavo; he offers valuable lore about these living buds, explaining they were once common in Shellwood and used as offerings in dark rituals. After that, the player should head straight to Greyroot's cabin in Shellwood. However, this requires having completed her earlier quest, "Rite of the Pollip," which involves finding six Pollip Hearts in the region. Without that done, she won't accept the Twisted Bud.

Once the bud is delivered, the player should accept the "Rite of Rebirth" quest and brace for one of the weirdest cutscenes in the game. Shortly after, Hornet appears in a new, dark area within Shellwood, now cursed: she cannot heal, and her Crest and tools are gone. But fear not—this is temporary. The player should go all the way left to leave the dark area, then head up to find a shortcut leading to one of Shellwood's main bottom areas. From there, the player should walk right to reach Bellhart again, and use fast travel to Greymoor, where a doctor named Yanarby awaits.

How to Find Yanarby

In Greymoor, the player must locate Yanarby, a doctor exiled from Bellhart for her "strange methods." Her house sits on the upper western side of Greymoor, near where one first meets Garmond. From the fast-travel area, the player should go left until reaching a room inside the main structure filled with scissor-wielding enemies, moving platforms, and rats. The player should make their way up and enter the last room on the left. There, an area with vegetation and a bell enemy appears. The player should keep walking left to find Yanarby's house. Talk to her, explain Hornet's situation, and after some dialogue, accept the "Infestation Operation" quest.

How to Complete Infestation Operation Quest

Once the quest is accepted, the player should head straight to Sinner's Road. The player should go to the Halfway Home tavern, use the elevator, and climb the platforms until reaching the entrance. Rest on the Bench, then visit Benjin and Crull's cabin—the same duo who offer the cockroach guts quest. They have the item Yanarby needs, but they won't hand it over for free; the price is 260 Rosaries. This is where those Rosary Strings come in handy. If more Rosaries are needed, the player should return to Greymoor and farm enemies there, as they drop plenty of coins and the area is easier than Sinner's Road (especially since healing is disabled). After paying, the player should immediately return to Yanarby's house to watch Hornet finally get rid of those horrible tentacles.

The Infestation Operation Quest Rewards

Completing this quest does more than just remove the curse. It unlocks the Witch Crest, which grants Hornet sweeping swings reminiscent of a whip and allows her to drain life from enemies through twisted roots. This crest introduces a playstyle centered on unleashing a devastating attack with the Silk Bind, and it permits equipping three blue tools and two red ones. For many players, the Witch Crest becomes a favorite, offering a fresh way to approach combat.

To summarize the entire quest chain, here's a quick table:

Step
Location
Action

1
Whispering Vaults → Bilewater
Find and collect Twisted Bud

2
Bellhart → Shellwood
Talk to Pavo, deliver bud to Greyroot

3
Shellwood → Greymoor
Escape curse, find Yanarby

4
Sinner's Road
Buy item from Benjin and Crull for 260 Rosaries

5
Greymoor
Return to Yanarby, complete quest, get Witch Crest

So, is the Twisted Bud worth the trouble? Absolutely. Despite the crying, the curse, and the backtracking, the Witch Crest alone makes it one of the most rewarding side quests in Silksong. And in 2026, with the game's community still thriving, this quest remains a shared experience that every hunter should undertake. Just remember: no Rosaries, bring Cogfly, and don't panic when the bud starts wailing. 😉

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