In the sprawling, treacherous region of Shellwood in Hollow Knight: Silksong, players will inevitably cross paths with a formidable foe: Sister Splinter. This boss guards the path to the invaluable Cling Grip ability, which allows Hornet to climb walls and traverse the world with greater ease. As of 2026, with the game fully released and players exploring every corner of Pharloom, Sister Splinter remains a significant early challenge. Without proper preparation, her relentless slams, spiked vines, and summoned minions can quickly overwhelm even the most seasoned adventurer. This guide breaks down the optimal loadout, phase-by-phase tactics, and the ultimate reward for defeating this arachnid menace.

Recommended Abilities and Tools

Before entering the arena, players should ensure they have unlocked the Reaper Crest and Thread Storm ability from Greymoor. These two tools are game-changers for this fight. Additionally, the Sting Shard tool provides valuable area-of-effect damage. While any familiar setup can work, this trio offers a balanced mix of defense and aggression.

Tool/Ability
Purpose

?️ Reaper Crest
Generates more silk after healing, enabling frequent Thread Storm usage.

?️ Thread Storm
Parries and kills Splinterbark enemies, and destroys multiple Spiked Vines at once.

? Sting Shard
Deals AoE damage, pressuring the boss and mobs while gathering silk.

The Reaper Crest ensures a steady silk supply, which is crucial for maintaining offensive pressure. Thread Storm not only clears mobs but also helps break the vines that clutter the arena. Sting Shard adds extra chip damage when players need to keep their distance. Together, they form a solid, aggressive loadout that mitigates the boss's resource-denial tactics.

Phase 1: Slams and Spiked Vines

Sister Splinter's first phase is deceptively simple. She clings to the ceiling and performs three consecutive slams on the ground where the player stands. Each slam has a deceptively large hitbox—roughly the size of her head upon landing—so players must position themselves further away than they might expect. After each slam, her hands remain vulnerable for a brief moment; attacking them immediately deals extra damage to the boss. This is the primary way to chip away at her health.

After the triple slam, Sister Splinter retreats into the ceiling and summons Spiked Vines that erupt downward. These vines deal contact damage and can trap players in dangerous positions. Each vine requires three hits to destroy, and players can typically take down one before Sister Splinter returns. It is wise to focus on the vine that blocks the largest portion of the arena, as opening up space is critical for dodging the next barrage of slams. By consistently jumping to hit her body and striking her hands after each attack, players can stun her quickly, opening a window for massive damage.

Phase 2: Splinterbark Reinforcements

Once enough damage is dealt, Sister Splinter enters her second phase. She screeches from the ceiling, summoning Splinterbark enemies to aid her. These minions approach with a devastating spinning attack; if both hit simultaneously, they can shred Hornet's health. This is where Thread Storm shines. A single use of the ability parries their spin and instantly kills them, while also damaging Sister Splinter if she is nearby.

After the initial two Splinterbarks are dealt with, Sister Splinter rejoins the fight and will frequently summon one more minion. Players should kite the Splinterbark toward the boss and unleash Thread Storm to eliminate it while dealing heavy damage to Sister Splinter herself. The key to this phase is relentless aggression: hitting the boss as much as possible generates silk for more Thread Storms, which in turn clear minions and damage the boss. This loop can quickly stun her again or push her into the final phase.

Phase 3: The Arena Closes In

The final phase is a test of spatial awareness and resource management. Sister Splinter locks off major sections of the arena with seven Spiked Vines. Players cannot destroy all of them in time, but a single Thread Storm breaks four at once—the ideal opening move. Alternatively, basic attacks can break at least two to create dodging room. After the initial lockdown, Sister Splinter may immediately summon three more vines to replace the broken ones, or she may launch an attack right away. If she summons more, it is best to save Thread Storm for when she calls another Splinterbark, killing the mob and clearing vines simultaneously. If she queues an attack, destroy the closest vine first to gain breathing room.

This cycle repeats until she is defeated. She will continue to summon mobs and vines while performing ground slams, gradually shrinking the safe zone. With enough pressure and smart ability usage, players can overcome anything she throws at them. While it is possible to win without the recommended loadout, this setup makes the fight significantly more manageable.

Reward: Cling Grip

Defeating Sister Splinter does not immediately grant a visible reward like some other bosses. Instead, players must head to the left of the boss arena and climb to the top of the room. There, they will find the Cling Grip ability. This allows Hornet to climb walls and traverse the world with newfound freedom, opening up previously inaccessible areas in Shellwood and beyond. It is an essential upgrade for any player looking to fully explore Pharloom.

With the right tools and a bit of practice, Sister Splinter becomes a memorable but conquerable foe. Her fight teaches valuable lessons about resource management and arena control that will serve players well throughout the rest of Hollow Knight: Silksong. So sharpen your needle, prepare your crest, and show this spider who is boss.

Once the Cling Grip is in hand and Shellwood's vertical paths open up, many players start thinking about what to tackle next—whether that's another Metroidvania, a punishing action-platformer, or a hidden indie gem with a similar learning curve.

That's where a resource like DealNest can come in handy. Instead of paying full price for every title on your wishlist, you can browse game deals today and spot discounts across PC and console storefronts. It's a simple way to keep your library growing while saving a few coins for whatever adventure comes after Silksong.

In an industry that often prizes visual fidelity and cinematic spectacle, sound design remains one of the most quietly powerful tools in a developer's arsenal. Hollow Knight: Silksong, the long-awaited sequel to Team Cherry's 2017 metroidvania classic, understands this principle intimately. Since its release, players and critics have praised composer Christopher Larkin's score, but the game's true audio magic often lies in the smallest interactions—the sprint across a metallic platform, the pogo bounce off an enemy's shell, and, most memorably, the cascade of Rosary Beads hitting the ground.



Among Silksong's vast library of hand-crafted sound effects, the Rosary Bead deposit has emerged as a fan-favorite. These strange strings hang from floor to ceiling in mossy tunnels, adorned with deep-red beads. They are not mere set dressing; they are currency caches. Striking the rope sends a handful of beads tumbling to the floor, and each one produces a light 'twang' followed by a satisfying 'tap' as it touches stone. The beads rattle gently as they roll, creating a two-second rhythm that many players describe as oddly cathartic.



For many players, an early encounter in a mossy tunnel becomes a core memory. The string is peculiar, stretching from floor to ceiling with a series of deep-red beads dangling from it. Even before fully understanding Silksong's currency system, instinct takes over. The player hacks at the rope. What follows is a small avalanche of beads, each strike producing a handful of falling spheres. The light 'twang' of the string gives way to a crisp 'tap' sound effect, with each bead rattling gently as it first touches and rolls along the ground. The satisfaction compounds with every new bead that hits the floor. The cathartic rhythm of the interaction burrows deep into the brain.



From that point forward, every Rosary Bead deposit becomes the site of a personal ritual. Players find the deposit, lean forward in their chairs, and revel in the sound of each individual bead hitting the ground in quick succession. It is not just a noise; it is a tiny ceremony of wealth acquisition.



Yet the love for these deposits goes far beyond acoustics. It is also about what the sound represents. To put it lightly, Silksong's economy is not balanced to perfection. Most bosses do not drop Rosary Beads. Most benches cost beads to unlock. In-game items and upgrades are expensive to purchase. Given Silksong's difficult nature, many players end up losing more beads than they pick up. These Rosary Bead deposits are one of the only reliable sources of wealth in the entire game, and they are a bit of a rarity. So whenever a deposit is found, the player is not merely enjoying the literal sound of beads hitting the floor. They are enjoying the rare feeling of earning a valuable resource. They are celebrating the fact that they will finally be able to purchase that one tool they have wanted since first finding the Forge Daughter in Deep Docks many hours ago.



The audio design of the Rosary Bead deposit works on several levels. The following table breaks down its components and their effects.

Audio element
Description
Player response

Rope twang
Light, string-like snap
Signals cause and effect

Bead tap
Crisp, wooden tap
Delivers immediate satisfaction

Rolling rattle
Gentle clatter
Extends the reward after impact

Rapid succession
Overlapping taps and rattles
Creates a rhythmic, almost musical loop

This layered approach is why the sound has become iconic. It is short, repeatable, and never fatiguing. It rewards attention without demanding it. It turns a mundane action into a moment of delight. In 2026, the conversation around Silksong's audio design continues to grow. Content creators have isolated the Rosary Bead sound for ASMR-style videos. Modders have jokingly replaced other sound effects with it. Speedrunners have optimized routes around bead deposits, and casual players still pause to listen. The sound has become a cultural shorthand for Silksong's blend of challenge and reward.

Sound design is often overlooked in favor of shiny graphics, intense action, and emotive stories, but it is no less important. Audio reinforces every moment of gameplay and can easily be the difference between a good game and a great one. Hollow Knight: Silksong is home to stellar audio design, and the Rosary Bead deposit is proof that even a two-second interaction can become unforgettable. It is a tiny masterclass in tactile feedback, economic relief, and the strange pleasure of hearing small objects hit the ground. ?✨

That same attention to detail extends to how players build their libraries, too. Just as a single bead deposit can shape a route through Hallownest's ruins, the price you pay for a game shapes whether a journey is even worth starting. For those who want to experience the kind of care poured into Silksong's soundscape without straining their budget, comparing storefronts matters more than ever. If you're looking for titles with the same level of craft, checking cheapest steam keys on DealNest is a practical first step.

Good design, whether in audio or in pricing, rewards the people paying attention. DealNest makes that hunt simpler, gathering current deals in one place so you can spend less time scrolling and more time listening closely to the worlds developers built.

In 2026, Hornet's pilgrimage through Pharloom remains one of the most talked-about journeys in gaming, and Songclave still offers its quiet, desperate wishes. Among them is Cloaks of the Choir, a gathering quest that asks for 15 Choir Cloaks. It sounds simple enough, does it not? Yet the Citadel's choir does not part with its garments willingly. To finish this wish, Hornet must first unlock Songclave, then hunt specific enemies in the Choral Chambers. Here is how the quest unfolds, step by step.



?️ Unlocking Songclave and the Wishwall

Songclave does not exist until Hornet rings the Grand Bell in the top-right of the Choral Chambers. Before she can do that, she must defeat the Cogwork Dancers. After the bell is rung, leaving and returning later reveals that the Grand Bell has transformed into Songclave, a town hub. The Caretaker may insist that helping pilgrims is pointless, but Hornet can still make a difference.

At the Songclave Wishwall, Hornet should pick up the Fine Pins quest first. Fulfill that wish, turn it in, then leave and return once more. A new Wish will appear on the board: Cloaks of the Choir. Promise to fulfill it, then head back into the Choral Chambers.



⚔️ Which Enemies Drop Choir Cloaks?

Not every choir member carries a spare cloak. Enemies with a white hood and a gold sigil, such as the Reed or Choristor, do not drop them. The quest specifically requires Choir Cloaks from three foes:

Enemy
Where It Appears
Notes

Choir Flyer
Around chandeliers and upper platforms
Fast, airborne, and easy to miss with grounded attacks.

Choir Pouncer
Near chandeliers and ledges
Leaps toward Hornet; defeat it before it lands over spikes.

Choir Hornhead
Lower areas of the farming room
Tougher, grounded, and worth the extra care.







? Best Choir Cloak Farming Spot

The best place to farm Choir Cloaks in Silksong is the tall room to the left of the entrance to the Whiteward, just beneath the dining hall where Hornet can pick up the Great Taste of Pharloom quest. From Songclave, make your way to this location, then sit at the bench just to the top-right of the room.

All three enemies that drop Choir Cloaks spawn in this room. Pouncers and Flyers hover on and around the chandeliers up above, while a Hornhead patrols down below. Defeat them, reset the room by sitting on the bench to the top-right, and repeat until Hornet has all 15 Choir Cloaks.





⚠️ A Warning About Spikes

There is one cruel catch. Quest Items, including Choir Cloaks, are destroyed on contact with damaging ground. If Hornet defeats an enemy while it is above spikes, the cloak can be lost before it is ever collected. Is that not the Citadel's way? Patience and positioning matter more than raw speed. Lure enemies away from hazards or strike from a safe angle.

? Rewards for Completing Cloaks of the Choir

Once Hornet has 15 Choir Cloaks, return to the Wishwall in Songclave and turn them in. The Cloaks of the Choir quest completes, and the reward is a Heavy Rosary Necklace. Heavy Rosary Necklace items are worth 220 Rosaries. For a simple gathering quest, that is not bad at all. Plus, defeating the required enemies while hunting for cloaks will naturally earn a few hundred extra Rosaries along the way.



? Final Tips for 2026 Players

Unlock Songclave first by ringing the Grand Bell after the Cogwork Dancers.

Complete Fine Pins before expecting Cloaks of the Choir to appear.

Farm the tall room near Whiteward and use the top-right bench to reset.

Avoid killing cloak-bearing enemies over spikes.

Turn in all 15 cloaks at the Songclave Wishwall for the Heavy Rosary Necklace.

So, is the Cloaks of the Choir quest worth the trouble? For Rosary-hungry pilgrims in 2026, the answer is a quiet yes. It is a straightforward farm with a solid payout, and it gives Hornet one more way to make Songclave a little brighter in a kingdom that rarely offers kindness.

Silksong's economy rewards players who think like careful collectors: wait for the right moment, avoid losing value to hazards, and never pay more than you have to. That same mindset carries over surprisingly well into how many Hollow Knight fans build out their libraries between runs, especially with the sequel's popularity pushing more people toward the genre's wider catalog of metroidvanias and soulslikes.

If chasing Rosaries in Pharloom has left you wanting more adventures without draining your wallet, it helps to know where to buy cheap games before the next sale cycle hits. DealNest gathers discounted titles and price drops in one place, so you can grow your backlog for less than the cost of a Heavy Rosary Necklace — no spikes, no lost loot, just savings worth collecting.

Little Nightmares 3 was a big deal for Bandai Namco when it launched in 2025, and now in 2026, it's clear that the gamble paid off. The first two games, developed by Tarsier Studios, are cult classics of the horror genre. But with Tarsier moving on to a new IP, the sequel had a lot riding on its itty-bitty shoulders. Add to that the long-awaited introduction of full co-op gameplay, two new protagonists, and a whole set of new nightmares, and the stakes were higher than ever. Thankfully, new developer Supermassive Games—already well known in the horror space thanks to The Dark Pictures and Until Dawn—was up to the task. From early impressions, Little Nightmares 3 brilliantly captures the series' vibe, and now that it's out, fans can experience the chilling journey for themselves.



A New Developer, A Familiar Nightmare

Taking over from Tarsier was no small feat. Producer Coralie Feniello admits it was "very stressful" when you put it that way, but overall, the team felt pretty good. "The build you've just played, it's already pretty stable," she laughs. "I'm really happy with the work that the team has done, even as they're still fixing stuff to make sure that players have the best experience possible." Supermassive Games inherited a legacy, but they didn't take long to win fans over. Feniello, a fan of the series since before working on it, started her journey with Little Nightmares 2. "It's been interesting replaying Little Nightmares 1 and 2 to make sure that the third game keeps its DNA," she says.

The pressure was equal parts excitement, she notes. And that pressure was like a tightrope walk over a pit of hungry shadows—one misstep could have shattered the series' delicate charm. But Supermassive managed to balance nostalgia with innovation.

Meet Low and Alone

One of the most striking changes is the introduction of two new playable characters: Low and Alone. They are two best friends stuck in the Nowhere, trying to find their way out. As is tradition for the series, not much is known about them yet, but their visual design speaks volumes. Feniello reveals that they started with the shape. "In the series, you're quite small and it's very dark, so you need to have something that your eyes will catch. For Low, it has been the beak, and for Alone, it's the pigtails. The colours are very important because, just like with Six, we want the children to be a light in the dark world."



The bright colours—Alone with green and orange, Low with blue—make them stand out against the gloom, like two vibrant koi fish swimming through a sea of ink. Fans have already fallen in love with the pair, which is a relief for Feniello, who admits following Six and Mono was stressful.

Co-op: A Long-Requested Feature

The biggest gameplay addition is online co-op, allowing two players to control Low and Alone simultaneously. This was heavily influenced by player feedback. "When we released Little Nightmares 2, we did some surveys on players, and they said that the most requested feature was co-op," Feniello says. "It was also something we had in mind—that's why we had AI co-op in Little Nightmares 2 with Six. Here, it's a whole other step with online co-op and single-player, since you basically need to have the design three times."

However, the game controversially won't feature couch co-op. Feniello explains it was a design choice: "In Little Nightmares, each room—we call them rooms because they basically are—they use a dollhouse camera. If you cut the 2.5D camera in half, it would destroy all of the design of those spaces." So the decision was made to preserve the game's unique perspective, even if it disappointed some fans.



Single-Player: The Atmospheric Experience

For those who prefer to brave the nightmares alone, single-player is still an option, with an AI partner controlling the other character. Feniello says single-player is "mostly different in terms of the atmosphere. It might be a bit closer to what you experienced in Little Nightmares 1 and 2. The atmosphere kicks in because you're not talking with someone, but at the same time, the AI will also be there. I really like the way when the AI isn't directly with you, how you feel even more fragile than when you are with them."

That fragility is a feeling that long-time fans will appreciate.

Charming Horror: The Series' DNA

Atmosphere is the cornerstone of Little Nightmares, and Feniello perfectly describes the tone: "On our side, we talk about charming horror, which I think really fits the series. The fact that you have these children who are quite cute in that world, but everything else is so very dark. I think that the contrast between those two is what makes Little Nightmares."



This contrast is like a music box playing a lullaby while the house burns down—unsettling yet mesmerizing. Supermassive has clearly understood this balance.

A Standalone Story with Easter Eggs

Unlike Little Nightmares 2, which directly followed the first game, Little Nightmares 3 is designed as a standalone story. "We are focusing on the story of Low and Alone," Feniello says. "It's obviously a bit different with new characters. If you are a big fan of the franchise and you have been listening to our podcasts, reading some of the transmedia stuff, and replaying Little Nightmares 1 and 2, then you'll be able to find Easter eggs and make connections. I'm not sure that every player will be able to do that, since it's its own story—you don't need to play the others to enjoy it, but you'll definitely have some stuff to look for."

So newcomers can jump right in, while veterans will find hidden treats.

Final Thoughts

Little Nightmares 3 is a worthy continuation of the series, blending familiar scares with fresh ideas. Supermassive Games has proven they can handle the franchise with care, and the addition of co-op opens up new ways to experience the horror. Whether played alone or with a friend, the game's charming horror will grip players from start to finish. Now that it's available, there's no excuse not to step into the Nowhere and face the nightmares.

If you're planning to dive into Little Nightmares 3 or revisit the earlier games in the series, finding the best price can make the experience even sweeter. Whether you're hunting for a discount on the latest release or looking to expand your horror collection, a reliable steam deal finder like DealNest can help you track sales and compare prices across the platform. It's a handy tool for any PC gamer who wants to stay on top of the latest bargains without missing out on the scares.

Ah, the Whiteward. The place where hope goes to get a haircut and never comes back. If you are playing Silksong in 2026 and you have finally reached the Citadel, congratulations. Act 2 is less of a guided tour and more of a haunted museum where every exhibit wants to stab you. And if you have met Sherma, the adorable pilgrim bug, you already know you would follow him into a nightmare. Which, spoiler alert, is exactly what this quest asks you to do.



How to Start Balm for the Wounded

First, you need Songclave. Ring the Grand Bell in the top-right of the Choral Chambers. Later, come back and the area has become a Town hub with a Wishwall. Pick up the White Key to the right of the Grand Bell, then unlock and explore the Whiteward. After that, return to Songclave. Sherma should be among the pilgrims. Talk to him. Then leave and come back later. Of course he is gone. Did you expect the cute one to stay safe? No. Pick up Sherma's quest on the Wishwall: Balm for the Wounded. Then head back down to the Whiteward to save him.



Finding Sherma in the Whiteward

From Choral Chambers, enter Whiteward. Sit at the bench on the right side of the first room to save your location. Then jump down the shaft. Do not drop all the way down. Take the first exit on the right. Follow the path right, drop down the hole, and you will land on a trackable object. Interact with it to Track Sherma. Now follow the trail. Is it creepy? Yes. Is it also weirdly beautiful? Also yes.



The trail initially leads Hornet right through a room filled with giant masked enemies wielding scissors. These are not arts-and-crafts scissors. They are the kind that make you reconsider your choices. Track the second object on a platform between spikes in this long room. This continues Sherma's trail, leading you further right. Avoid the enemies again, then follow the trail upward. The trail will lead to a room you can enter. Go in, then break the breakable wall on the right side. Inside, you will find Sherma.



The Rescue and the Enemy Waves

Talk to Sherma. He is shivering in fear. He has seen the brutality and faith-challenging horrors of the Whiteward. He says he found healing supplies, got trapped, and then started to hear moans in the dark. Poor little guy. After a moment, a variety of challenging enemies appear in waves. Of course they do.



Here is how I handled them:

Enemy Type
How to Fight
Why

Three flying enemies with tentacle-like silk strands
Use Silk Skills and Tools
They are hard to get close to and hit with the Needle

Two scissor-wielding enemies
Use pogo attacks, downward slashes in mid-air
Avoid their rapid attacks, which deal two masks of damage

Defeat the three flying enemies first if you can. They are annoying little sky gremlins. Then focus on the two scissor enemies. Pogo them. Bounce on their heads like you are playing a very violent game of hopscotch. Do not get greedy. Their attacks hurt. A lot. Two masks of damage is not a suggestion. It is a warning.

After defeating the waves, you have successfully saved Sherma. He will return to Songclave. But not before giving Hornet something he found while looking for supplies.

Reward: Spool Fragment

For finding Sherma and saving him from the horrors of the Whiteward, he rewards Hornet with a Spool Fragment.



Hornet can combine 2x Spool Fragments to increase her maximum Silk by 1 bar. Is that worth fighting through a haunted hospital full of scissor monsters? If you use Silk Skills often, absolutely. If you do not, well, you still saved a cute bug. That counts for something.

Final Thoughts

So, would I do Balm for the Wounded again in 2026? Yes. Would I complain the entire time? Also yes. The Whiteward is a masterclass in dread, and Sherma is a masterclass in making you care about a tiny fictional bug. If you are stuck, remember: sit at the bench, take the first right, track the trail, break the wall, and pogo the scissors. And if you hear moans in the dark, maybe do not investigate alone.

Now go get that Spool Fragment. Sherma believes in you. I believe in you. The scissor monsters do not, but their opinion does not matter. ?✨

If there is one thing the Whiteward teaches you, it is that preparation matters more than reflexes. The same principle applies when you are gearing up for a long metroidvania session and want to make every purchase count, whether that is a new controller, a headset, or a game you have been eyeing for months. Instead of hopping between a dozen storefronts to compare prices, it helps to have a single place where you can find the best deal without the usual scavenger hunt.

That is exactly what DealNest is built for. It gathers discounts and offers in one spot so you can spend less time hunting and more time actually playing. Think of it as the bench you sit at before a boss fight: a quick pause, a small advantage, and then you are back in the action.

I still remember the first time I laid eyes on that locked door in Choral Chambers. It was just above the Grand Bellway, bottom-right of the zone, and I could see a golden lever mocking me from the other side. Hornet could not reach it. No amount of wall-clinging, dash-slashing, or desperate pogo tricks would do the job. That door is the entrance to The Stage, and behind it waits Trobbio, an acclaimed thespian who wants to use his theatrical performance to 'rouse the soul of this one great land.' If you are playing Silksong in 2026, this little detour is still one of the most rewarding side paths in the game. Let me spill the tea on how I got through it.



Why Bother With The Stage?

Beating Trobbio is not just about bragging rights. Once he is down, you get much safer access to the Whispering Vaults and the top-right side of the Underworks. The Grand Bellway bench is practically right below the boss room, so it becomes a convenient fast-travel anchor. In a game like Silksong, where a single wrong step can send you back to the last bench with a bruised ego, that is huge. It is the difference between a leisurely stroll and a sweaty-palmed gauntlet every time you need to pass through.

The Long Way Around

The lever that opens the Stage door is on the far side. You cannot reach it from Choral Chambers. Period. You have to go all the way around through the Whispering Vaults and enter the boss room from the right side. Here is the route I used, step by step.

Step
What To Do
Danger Level

1
From the Cogwork Dancers arena (where the three ancient statues now sit after you beat the boss), head down into the Cogwork Core.
Low

2
Carefully navigate to the right side of the room. If you do not have the shortcut unlocked, go all the way down, then around the bottom of the central wall.
Medium

3
Continue right, pogo-ing across more gears, until you enter a room with a lever.
High

4
Hit the lever to turn the gigantic wheel-gate horizontal. This connects the top of Choral Chambers to the Bellway area below.
Low

5
Continue right to enter the Whispering Vaults.
Medium

6
Attack boxes to push them along tracks in the background, then continue into the room on the right.
High

7
In the enormous, labyrinthine room, aim for the exit on the left about two-thirds of the way down.
Very High

8
Dodge flame-tossing enemies, gigantic armored bugs, and rapid slashing enemies while solving box puzzles.
Very High

9
Continue left, then drop down into the top layer of The Stage.
Medium

10
At the end of the hallway, drop down near the door. Do NOT enter the boss arena yet. Hit the lever to unlock the locked door to The Stage.
Low

11
Go back to the Grand Bellway and sit on the bench to set your respawn point.
Breathe

That last step is not optional. I repeat: do not be a hero. If you skip the bench and die to Trobbio, and you sat at any bench on the way through the Cogwork Core or Whispering Vaults, you will have to make a much longer trek back. Trust me, I learned that the hard way. My pride still has not recovered.



Whispering Vaults: Box Puzzles and Bullet Hell

The Whispering Vaults section is no joke. Those box puzzles are cute until you are getting peppered by flame projectiles and rushed by armored bugs the size of a small house. I found that patience is the real weapon here. Push the boxes one at a time, keep your distance from the slashing enemies, and do not get greedy with hits. If you are using a spell-heavy build, save your Silk for emergency healing. If you are a pogo purist, may the odds be ever in your favor.

The labyrinthine room is the worst offender. It is huge, and the exit you need is on the left, about two-thirds down. I marked it on the map image above because I got lost twice. Twice! In 2026, with all the guides and patches, I still managed to take the scenic route through every wrong hallway. Do not be like me. Keep an eye on the map, hug the left side when you can, and drop down only when you are sure.

The Final Lever and Boss Prep

Once you drop into the top layer of The Stage, you are almost there. Follow the hallway left, drop down near the door, and hit that lever. The locked door in Choral Chambers now opens from the other side. Now go back to the Grand Bellway bench. Sit. Relax. Maybe stretch your fingers. Then return to The Stage and show Trobbio what a real performance looks like.

Trobbio himself is a theatrical nightmare. He is fast, he is flashy, and he loves to punish greedy attacks. I will not spoil his full moveset, but bring your best tools: a fully upgraded needle, plenty of Silk, and maybe a shield charm if you have one. The reward is worth it: safer access to the Whispering Vaults and the top-right Underworks, plus the satisfaction of wiping that smug grin off his face.

So there you have it. The locked door in Choral Chambers is not a bug, a tease, or a developer prank. It is a gateway to one of Silksong's most memorable boss fights and a major convenience shortcut. In 2026, this route is still the way to go. Now go unlock that Stage door, and do not forget the bench. Your future self will thank you. ??️

Speaking of rewards that are worth the wait, there is one other place where a little patience pays off: buying the game itself. If you have been holding off on picking up Silksong, or you want to grab it on a second platform for a co-op run, prices bounce around constantly between storefronts, and refreshing five tabs during every seasonal sale gets old fast. That is exactly the gap game price tracker fills over at DealNest — it keeps an eye on listings across the major stores so you can see at a glance whether the current deal is genuinely the lowest it has been, or just marketing noise dressed up as a discount.

Grabbing a copy at the right moment is the same instinct as sitting on that bench before a boss fight: a tiny bit of foresight that spares you a much longer, more painful trek later. So whether you are buying your first copy or double-dipping, it is worth a quick look at DealNest before you hit checkout.

I'll be honest: I was a total wuss when the original Little Nightmares came out. Too young, too jumpy, and way too attached to my blankie to appreciate being chased by a giant woman with a distorted face. But Little Nightmares 2? That one hooked me. It doubled down on everything the first game did right—bigger scares, trickier puzzles, and a story that punched me in the gut so hard I needed a lie-down. Mono's rug-pull ending and Six's surprisingly dark arc? Chef's kiss. Still, I remember the frustration: dying in one hit to basically everything, no guidance, endless respawns. It was a core part of the experience, sure, but it was always worth pushing through to see what fresh horror awaited.

Now it's 2026, and Little Nightmares 3 has been out for a while. I've finally gotten my hands on it—and let me tell you, adding a second player doesn't smooth out that frustration like you'd hope. In fact, it cranks the pain up to eleven. I played the co-op mode with a mate, and let's just say our friendship survived, but barely.



The Carnevale: A Damp, Dismal Delight

Super massive Games has nailed the creepy dollhouse vibe. The new protagonists, Low and Alone, find themselves in the Carnevale—a rain-soaked, rundown funfair that's neither fair nor fun. Dead bodies floating in apple-bobbing buckets? Check. A poor soul chained above a dunk tank that you have to sacrifice for the greater good? Double check. Even while cracking jokes with my co-op partner, the atmosphere was dark, satirical, and exactly what you'd expect from this series. I just wish I knew more about Low and Alone, but hey, exploring this awful world was enough to keep me hooked.

Co-Op Puzzles: Two Heads Are Worse Than One

Most of the puzzles revolve around teamwork—pushing doors together, pulling levers in sync, that sort of thing. Sounds lovely, right? Wrong. When you're playing solo and get stuck, you feel a bit daft but you move on. When you're playing co-op and both of you are stumped, it's a whole different ballgame of mutual guilt and quiet resentment. "Did you miss something?" "No, did you?" "I don't know!" Cue the endless respawns. The puzzles themselves are familiar to anyone who's played the first two games, but they're noticeably more frustrating here. The pace grinds to a halt, and you start wondering if your partner is secretly a noob or just pretending.



Combat: A New Twist That Sometimes Twists Your Nerves

Little Nightmares 3 introduces combat against smaller enemies, and it's actually a clever evolution. Low has a bow for long-range attacks, while Alone wields a big wrench for smashing stuff. In the Carnevale, we had Low shooting the heads off bloodthirsty dolls while Alone smashed their bodies—all while the headless torsos chased us around. It's basically another puzzle, which fits the series perfectly. But the one-hit kills and forced respawns? Bloody hell, they get old fast. Every mistake feels like a personal failure, and with two players, the blame game begins. I hope future enemies are a bit more forgiving, because right now, combat is more stressful than scary.

The Monster Encounters: Where Co-Op Really Hurts

The signature encounters with each stage's horrifying main freak are undoubtedly the best part of Little Nightmares. Sneaking around, barely escaping, your heart in your throat—it's pure tension. But with another player, that tension evaporates and is replaced by sheer annoyance. Figuring out the Carnevale creep's very specific patterns and then executing a timed puzzle while staying hidden took us dozens of tries. Every death felt like it was our fault, and the endless respawns sucked all the fear out of the room. Imagine doing that with a loved one who's not as good at games as you. Yikes. It's a recipe for a domestic.



Final Thoughts: A Nightmare Worth Having, But Maybe Alone

Maybe in the full game, these annoyances feel minor. After all, my mate and I jumped into a random section without much experience. But the frustration is real, and it's baked into the co-op design. I still love the tone, the atmosphere, and the sheer creativity on display. Super massive has captured the series' vibe perfectly. But its signature cooperative feature? So far, it's something I'll be avoiding. I'd rather face Low and Alone's nightmare solo, thank you very much. That way, when I die for the hundredth time, I only have myself to blame. And honestly? That's the Little Nightmares way.



There's a practical angle to all this too. Whether you end up dragging a friend along or braving the Maw-like corridors by yourself, the last thing you want is to pay full price for something that might send you back to the lobby in twenty minutes. Keeping the entry cost low makes the whole experiment easier to stomach, especially if your co-op partner bails after the third wipe.

That's roughly why I've started checking sites like DealNest before committing to a new horror release. Digging around for cheapest steam keys takes a minute or two, and it means a frustrating session costs you a few quid instead of a full-priced regret. Less spent up front, less pressure to force a good time out of a game that clearly wants to be played on your own terms.

I still remember the first time I booted up Hollow Knight: Silksong. The gorgeous hand-drawn art, the haunting music, and the brutal difficulty that made me question my sanity. That was back in 2025, and nearly a year later, I'm still slowly making my way through the game, dying to the same bosses over and over. But while I'm struggling, a whole community of speedrunners has turned Silksong into their personal playground, and the records they're setting are nothing short of mind-boggling.



Back when the game first launched, it didn't even take a full week for speedrunners to start posting sub-two-hour runs. I remember reading about Onaku setting an any% record of 1:46:47, and just hours later, BlueSR smashed that with a blistering 1:26:20. I was still fumbling around the first area, and these people were already finishing the entire game in less time than it takes me to decide on a charm build. The official leaderboard wasn't even live until October 2025, but that didn't stop the community from pushing each other to insane limits.

Now, in 2026, the scene has only gotten crazier. The leaderboards are fully active, and the any% world record has been pushed well below the one-hour mark. I've watched streams where runners pull off pixel-perfect movements, abuse obscure glitches, and chain together boss fights like they're playing a rhythm game. BlueSR eventually achieved that deathless run he was gunning for, and the competition is fiercer than ever. It's like watching a completely different game from the one I'm playing.



What's fascinating is that Silksong actively rewards speedrunning, just like its predecessor. There are two achievements tied to finishing quickly: Speed Completion, for 100% completion in under 30 hours, and Speedrunner, for simply beating the game in under 5 hours. When the game first came out, both were achieved by well under 1% of players. Speedrunner sat at 0.1%, while Speed Completion was so rare it rounded to 0%. Even now, in 2026, those numbers haven't risen much—the game is just that punishing.

Here's a quick breakdown of the speed-related achievements and their rarity:

Achievement
Requirement
Completion Rate (2025)

Speedrunner
Finish in under 5 hours
0.1%

Speed Completion
100% in under 30 hours
~0%

Steel Soul
Finish in permadeath mode
~0%

And remember, Steel Soul mode itself is unlocked only after finishing the game normally or by using a well-known code. It's a permadeath challenge that makes every mistake fatal. The fact that some players are speedrunning that is both inspiring and terrifying.

To put things in perspective, the original Hollow Knight ended with an any% glitchless world record of 30:49. That's less than 31 minutes for a game that took me dozens of hours to complete. Silksong's current records make finishing in under 5 hours look like a leisurely stroll. And as runners develop new techniques and grow more familiar with the game's intricate systems, those times will only drop further.

As for me? I'm still chipping away at my 100% completion run. I've consulted guides, watched walkthroughs, and even tried a few speedrun strats myself—only to die spectacularly. The difficulty is no joke, and the idea of doing it all in under 30 hours feels impossible. But that's what makes the speedrunning community so impressive. They take a game that feels insurmountable and turn it into a science.

So while I'll probably never set a world record, I'll keep watching from the sidelines. Every new run is a reminder of what's possible when skill, dedication, and a little bit of madness come together. And who knows? Maybe one day I'll finally beat that third boss. ?‍♂️?

Watching all these runs has had an unexpected side effect: my wishlist keeps growing. Between Silksong, the original Hollow Knight, and a handful of other metroidvanias that streamers keep recommending mid-run, I've caught myself hunting for deals far more often than I'd like to admit. Chasing a 30-hour completion time is one thing—paying full price for every game in the genre is another budget entirely, especially when you want a copy on more than one platform.

That's the part of the hobby nobody talks about in a world record video. If you're the type who wants to follow along, run the same routes, or just see how the current records compare to your own attempts, it helps to keep an eye on game price comparison before you commit. DealNest makes that easy, pulling together listings across stores so you can spot a discount instead of blindly hitting the buy button. It won't shave minutes off your run, but it will leave a little more room in the wallet for the next challenge.

I still remember the first time I booted up Hollow Knight: Silksong. It was September 2025, and like everyone else who had waited nearly seven years, I thought I was ready. I was not. The tight platforming, the diagonal bounce, the enemies that rip away two masks with a single hit — Silksong didn't just meet my expectations; it shoved them off a cliff. Now, in 2026, I can look back at that launch week with a mix of awe and embarrassment. Awe because a handful of players did something impossible. Embarrassment because I'm still stuck on Widow.



It took less than a week for some extremely skilled Hollow Knight: Silksong players to 100 percent the game and earn its uber-difficult platinum trophy. I know that sounds like a flex, and it is. But it's also a terrifying statement about how high the skill ceiling goes. I truly believed it would take months before anyone fully completed Silksong. Instead, the first platinum holders appeared while most of us were still learning enemy patterns and mourning our Geo.

The trophy list itself is a monster. To get the platinum, you don't just need to finish the game. You need to beat it in under five hours for a speedrun trophy. You need to clear it 100 percent for another. And then, because that isn't enough, you need to combine those two challenges: 100 percent completion in under 30 hours. That last one sounds like a personal attack. I've spent longer than 30 hours just staring at boss arenas, wondering if my controller is broken or if I am.



I've been checking the PlayStation trophy tracking website PSNProfiles over the past few days since Silksong first released — after its extended hiatus on PlayStation, no less — eager to see if anyone had managed to get its platinum. Today I found out that a few skilled players have managed to nab it. According to PSNProfiles, a mere 0.06 percent of Silksong players on PlayStation have managed to see everything the game has to offer, or at least everything needed for the trophy. Over on SteamDB, that number drops to just 0.01 percent of players. Those numbers are so small they feel like rounding errors. They are not. They are monuments to dedication.

Here's a quick look at what the platinum demands, because seeing it in a list makes my hands hurt:

Challenge
Requirement
My reaction

Speedrun
Beat the game in under 5 hours
? Absolutely not

Completionist
100 percent the game
? Maybe in a decade

Combined run
100 percent in under 30 hours
? No thanks

Platinum
All of the above
? God-tier patience

Good thing PlayStation players don't have to complete Steel Soul for the platinum. I've seen what Steel Soul does to people. It turns confident bug-slaying heroes into trembling shells who pause the game to breathe. I respect anyone who even attempts it, let alone finishes it.



Personally, I think getting the platinum in under a week is a bit soon for a game we waited nearly seven years for. But that's probably just the jealousy talking. I'm still stuck on Widow, and every time I think I've learned her patterns, she reminds me that I have not. So when I see that 0.06 percent on PlayStation or 0.01 percent on Steam, I don't just see a trophy. I see someone who mastered the diagonal bounce, memorized every boss, optimized every route, and probably sacrificed sleep, meals, and maybe a controller or two.

In 2026, Silksong is still a game that demands respect. The platinum remains rare, and for good reason. It isn't just about beating a hard game; it's about beating it perfectly, quickly, and thoroughly. That combination is brutal. For most of us, simply reaching the credits is an achievement. For those few platinum holders, it's a badge of insanity — the good kind. I'm jealous, impressed, and slightly worried about them. Mostly impressed, though.

Maybe one day I'll get past Widow. Maybe one day I'll see the credits. But the platinum? I'll leave that to the Silksong gods. They've earned it.

Not all of us are chasing platinum trophies, though. Plenty of players are still waiting for the right moment to even start Silksong — or looking to pick up Hollow Knight first, or a few other metroidvanias to fill the gap while they work up the courage to face Widow. That's where a bit of patience pays off in a different way. Instead of grinding routes and memorizing boss patterns, you can spend a few minutes checking whether the game is discounted on one storefront versus another, and put the savings toward a spare controller for the inevitable rage-quit.

If you'd rather compare before you commit, a game price comparison makes it easy to see where Silksong and similar titles are cheapest across platforms, so you're not overpaying just because you clicked the first store in your search results. Whether you're hunting a platinum or just hunting a bargain, knowing the going rate beforehand is a small win that doesn't require five hours of speedrunning to earn.

I still remember crawling out of The Underworks after beating the Last Judge, only to be swallowed by the gilded nightmare of the Choral Chambers. If you skipped The Mist, this is likely your first real taste of the Citadel, and it is overwhelming. The halls are huge, the enemies are aggressive, and the secrets are packed into every ceiling and floor. As of 2026, this area remains one of the most complex zones in Hollow Knight: Silksong, so I want to walk you through the path I took, the shortcuts I opened, and the treasures I refused to leave behind.



Lower Left-Side Halls ?

When I popped out of the hole at the top of the Underworks, I immediately headed left and found a free bench. That bench felt like a miracle. Further left, a big circular room offered a shortcut to the Grand Gate, but I went up and around instead. I activated a lever, grabbed a few shards from the obscured hatch on the left, and climbed higher for beads and a preview of the Ventrica Station. It was blocked from my side, so I kept moving right and paid for the map. That map changed everything. After opening a floor hatch, I dropped into a den of easy spiders, climbed out, and walked past dead Citadel residents until Lace appeared. She taunted me, the corpses rose, and I had my first real fight in the area. ⚔️

Central Left-Side Halls

The enemies here are not terrible, but I learned to respect the ones with red on their clothing. They swing wide or throw projectiles that caught me more than once. Since this is not a locked combat room, I left when my health got low. I entered the bottom right room and found an elevator blocked by a very particular key. I made a mental note and returned to the tall room. I platformed up, swatted away a sword enemy, and broke a window on the left. At first it looked empty, but I jumped up the wall and looted a dead body for a Rosary Bead. Back in the main tall room, I headed up and to the upper left exit, where enemies and Rosaries waited. The top was blocked, so I continued left.

Far Left-Side Halls

After fighting through more enemies, I took the left door, jumped across spikes, and chose to drop down instead of visiting The Slab. That drop led me to the Citadel Spa. It looked disappointing at first, just a couple of showerheads, but I broke the floor in the first room. Beneath it was an underground steam pipe system. No hidden items, but it contained an entrance to the secret area of the spa. That route connects the leftmost side of the map to the middle and became very convenient for a later quest. I then headed left, fought silk-strung enemies, hit a lever, and went down. I grabbed Rosaries, entered a big room through its upper right segment, and let the optional enemies spawn. I left or beat them, dropped down and right, and found a chest packed with Rosaries. Further down and right, I finally activated that Ventrica Station. Once it became my hub for the Citadel, I understood why these stations are a godsend. ?️

Large Left-Side Drop

I opened the shortcut and returned to the tall room where I had taken a left to the Ventrica Station. Heading up, I entered the upper left exit and found Silk dispensers. Not useful. Up the timed platforms, the next room had bells and a pressure plate. I had to repeat the pattern they rang out. If you do not want to memorize it, here is the cheat sheet I used:

Pattern
Bell order (left to right)

First
1, 5, 4, 6

Second
3, 6, 5, 1, 7

Third
2, 4, 6, 3, 5, 1

After that, I received a Cogheart Piece. Up more timed platforms, I headed right and had to jump with strict timing while dodging an enemy. I lured the enemy to the starting platform, killed it, then jumped across for my prize. Up even more timed platforms, the top left entrance had a winged swordsman guarding Grindle. There was nothing else in the room, but everyone loves Grindle, right? ?

Central Left-Side Drop

At the top right room, I dropped down and fought the genuinely tough enemies. I jumped left for extra Rosaries as a reward, then timed my jumps to the right into another massive room. I broke the wall directly to the right, dropped for Silk, and acknowledged the big saw blades I could not pass. I fell down carefully, avoiding the golden spikes, and broke the cracked wall on the right. That let me flick a lever, go back up, soar past the saws, and save a flea. I returned to the bottom, opened a shortcut to the tall room that started this whole route, and headed right into a cramped hallway. Past the tattered curtains, I found a fly-infested room, went up, and glimpsed rare Pale Oil. I could not break that wall yet, so I went to the top right, grabbed a Silkeater, and left. Falling back down the tall room and going right, I finally reached the top right entrance and another bench. ?

Lower Middle Halls



From that bench, I headed right, opened the hatch, and prepared for spiders and steam. Every path here coalesces at the bottom right and leads into a long, straightforward hall. I went left first to open a shortcut to the left-side halls. The area to the right had moving cogs and a flying mechanical bug, but it was light work. The end of the hallway was packed with enemies that love heavy blows. I used a few hit-and-run attacks and cleared them.

Lower Right-Side Halls

As soon as I entered the room on the right, I dropped all the way down and opened the Grand Bellway. I bought the bench and the Ventrica Station beside it. This was incredibly handy, because trekking out of the Citadel and back to the rest of Pharloom is arduous. The room up and to the left was not special. I dodged spikes, took out two thieves, and broke cocoons for a Silkeater. I also entered the door above the Bellway, but there was only a little lore. Further up, I broke glass blocking an entrance marked by three pins. Inside was another Pale Oil teaser and an easy way to escape enemies. I pogoed off bells, entered another dark cramped hallway, and found a big lever that turned a massive wheel with a hole in it. I turned it to go vertically and wall jumped up. I could head left for Silk dispensers, but who cares? ?

Upper Right-Side Halls

I pogoed off more bells and opened the top right door. The hallway required a few well-timed dashes, but it was straightforward. At the other end, I found a very big, regal-looking chapel. I went inside, rang the bell, enjoyed the free bench, and came outside to be chewed out by an old man. This began the town of Songclave, which gradually gains residents as you progress. At the very rightmost part of Songclave, I found the White Key. It opens the elevator we found long ago and leads to a smaller, separate area. For now, I headed back left and climbed all the way up. At the top, I activated another Ventrica station, which was incredibly useful throughout most of Act 2. I went down and left across an extremely long hallway with a glass floor and several beefy guards. A well-timed dive kick can bounce over them, but they drop a ton of money, so I tried killing them. Continuing left, I found an upper entrance I could not access without wings, and I headed down to unlock a shortcut. Be careful: going much further left throws you into the Cogwork Dancers boss fight. I geared up first, defeated them, opened the Cogwork Core, and headed to the upper left.

Upper Left-Side Halls

With those guards dispatched, I entered the top left area. I could go left, since the route upwards was locked, or descend to explore more of the Choral Chambers. I chose to descend first. The top two gates on the right are shortcuts out of the Cogwork Core, so I ignored them. I entered the top left gate by dropping in from above, and the lower left gate was already unlocked. Further down, I found two more gates. I could bypass the right gate by going underneath, but I could not find a way around the left gate. I dropped down, ran across the huge dining hall, and found the Royal Mergwin, who tasked me with a massive quest for Pale Oil. I opened the shortcuts, then climbed back up to the room left of the Cogwork Dancers, behind a breakable wall. There, I started a big vertical platforming challenge on timed platforms and opened a treasure chest. My reward was seeing Grindle. This is much easier if you wait until you have wings. Further left, I found rings to grapple onto and climb. They led into High Halls proper and let me unlock the shortcut I had seen earlier. I grabbed the bench, and from there I had plenty of new places to explore, all connected to these chambers.

The Choral Chambers can feel like a maze, but once I opened the Ventrica stations, shortcuts, and benches, it became the beating heart of the Citadel. My advice is simple: buy the map early, respect the red-clothed enemies, solve the bell puzzle, and do not rush the Cogwork Dancers. Take the area one hall at a time, and you will turn this gilded labyrinth into your new home base. ?

When you’re not navigating a labyrinthine citadel, keeping your game library stocked without overspending can be its own challenge. New releases, indie gems, and classics all compete for the same budget, and prices fluctuate constantly across storefronts. DealNest makes that easier by gathering current deals in one place, so you can quickly see where to buy cheap games without hopping between a dozen tabs.

Whether you’re hunting for a metroidvania to scratch the same itch or simply want to clear your wishlist during the next sale, a quick check on DealNest before you buy can save you a surprising amount. It’s a practical stop for anyone who wants more time playing and less time overpaying.