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

Hollow Knight: Silksong Sinner's Road guide details essential tools and strategies for surviving this perilous Greymoor route.

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

What You Need Before You Suffer

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

Tool
Why I Bring It

Cling Grip
Wall jumps and clinging are non-negotiable. Sinner's Road laughs at heroes who cannot hold on.

Faydown Cloak
The crucial tool for full exploration. Without it, you are just a tourist with a needle.

Clawline
Helpful for traversal, especially when the floor is lava, except the lava is leeches.

Drifter's Cloak
Shows up later for one very specific glide into a spike pit. Bring it if you have it.

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

Reaching Sinner's Road

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

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

Exploring The Depths

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find Styx

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

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

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

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

Escape Into Bilewater

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

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

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

Final Sinner's Road Tips

• Do not panic in leech water. Panic costs silk. Silk costs healing. Healing costs dignity.

• Pogo everything. Cages, spike balls, floating balloons, your own bad decisions. If it exists, bounce off it.

• Buy the map from Shakra. Getting lost here is like being lost in a haunted filing cabinet.

• Save the Green Prince for later. He is not going anywhere, and neither are the Muckroaches.

• Grab Tacks and Barbed Bracelet. One makes you throw sharp things. The other makes everything sharper, including your own incoming damage.

And that is Sinner's Road in 2026: still rude, still damp, still full of bugs that want to wear your shell as a hat. Pack your Cling Grip, bring your Faydown Cloak, and remember: if you can survive this, you can survive anything Silksong throws at you next. Probably. Maybe. ...Okay, definitely not, but at least you will have Styx.

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

Find all seven Mister Mushroom locations in Hollow Knight: Silksong and unlock the Passing Of The Age achievement—without decoding his cryptic poem.

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

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

The Poem Unravelled

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

Moss Grotto

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

Bone Bottom

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

Far Fields

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

Greymoor

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

The Slab

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

Mount Fay

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

The Cradle & The Ultimate Ascent

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

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

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

Location
Hint From The Poem
Difficulty

Putrified Ducts
Hidden tablet
Easy

Moss Grotto
Fungal ground
Easy

Bone Bottom
Above town
Easy

Far Fields
Scorched Field
Medium

Greymoor
Towers spinning
Medium

The Slab
Cages
Hard

Mount Fay
Fell heart of frost
Medium

The Cradle
The final climb
Brutal

After all seven encounters, the wandering mushroom finally settles down, and players are left with an achievement, a story, and a lingering suspicion that none of his wisdom ever meant anything at all. Would anyone really expect otherwise from a talking fungus?

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

Silksong Abyss map and Act 3 guide: conquer the dark depths for rewards and essential skills in Hollow Knight's challenging new area.

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

Finding the Abyss Map

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

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

How to Reach the Abyss

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

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

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

How to Escape the Abyss

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

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

Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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

Hollow Knight: Silksong's Moorwing fight can be locked out by moving the flea caravan in Greymoor, robbing Hornet of Garmond and Zaza's co-op battle.

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

The Moorwing Fight: A Co-Op Dream Come True

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

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

Two Decisions, One Locked Door

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

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

A Bittersweet Metroidvania Experience

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

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

Decision
Consequence

Left the Moorwing fight to explore
Boss remained available until...

Relocated the flea caravan
Caravan parked on the battlefield, locking me out

Result
Missed the co-op fight, may have to fight solo later

And a few tips for fellow travelers:

• If you want to fight Moorwing with Garmond and Zaza, do it before relocating the flea caravan.

• ️ Explore Greymoor thoroughly before making any caravan decisions.

• Co-op fights are rare and precious—don't walk away from them lightly.

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

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

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

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

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

Unlock Silk Soar in Hollow Knight: Silksong with this Super Jump guide: Act 3, Abyss route, controls, and tips.

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

The Long Road to Act 3

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

Here's what I had to do:

• Complete quests in Bone Bottom, Bellhart, and the Songclave Wishwall. These aren't just busywork; they weave into the story and open the path forward.

• Collect at least 25 Fleas. Yes, 25! Those little critters are scattered everywhere, and you'll need to bring them to the Flea Caravan.

• Get the Flea Caravan to move three times until it reaches the Putrified Ducts. That's right—three times. Each move unlocks new areas and eventually the Abyss.

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

Descending into the Abyss

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

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

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

How to Use Silk Soar (Super Jump)

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

Platform
Input

PC
Hold Down Arrow + S

Xbox
Hold LT

PlayStation
Hold L2

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

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

Escaping the Cave and Beyond

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

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

Happy soaring! ️

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

Hollow Knight and Silksong spark record Steam reviews in 2025-2026, shifting ratings but confirming the game's enduring indie legacy.

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

The Numbers Behind the Shift

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

Period
Negative reviews
Notes

First 10 days of September 2025
660
Highest monthly total ever, with two-thirds of the month remaining

August 2025
378
Previous monthly record

January 2025
340
Record before August 2025

Lifetime before September 2025
Fewer than 14,000
Against almost 440,000 positive reviews

Why More Players Meant More Mixed Feedback

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

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

Silksong's Own Review Storm

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

What This Means for Hollow Knight in 2026

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

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

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

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

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