The moment I fire up a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 and feel the thunderous rumble travel through the steering wheel, my chest, and the pavement beneath, I understand precisely what we’ve lost. It’s 2026, and I’m standing in a rapidly electrifying world where the Dodge Challenger already feels like a relic from a louder, brasher era. But to me—and to millions of enthusiasts—it isn’t just a car. It’s the final, unapologetic chapter in a very American story. The end of the Challenger as a V8-powered brute wasn’t just the discontinuation of a model; it was the extinction of the true muscle car philosophy.



I first grasped the Challenger’s weight of history when I saw a survivor 1970 Hemi four-speed glide across an auction block. The original muscle car wars were a glorious ruckus, and Dodge arrived fashionably late. When that first Challenger landed in 1970, it didn’t just compete with the Mustang and Camaro—it outgunned them in attitude. The designers carved a wide, low body that looked like it was doing 100 mph standing still, and the engine bay could swallow legends like the 426 HEMI. Those early cars weren’t just fast; they were drag strip royalty, icons that still dominate every classic car gathering I attend. Even now, you can’t walk through a local show without finding a row of Challengers soaking up admiration.



Then came the dark years—emissions strangled horsepower, and the Challenger nameplate vanished. But the legend never died. In 2008, when Dodge resurrected the Challenger, it wasn’t just a nostalgic exercise. It was a statement. Sitting in that modern retro cockpit, you could feel the heritage in every oversized gauge and long hood. The design picked up exactly where the ’70s left off, and I’ve always admired Dodge for refusing to dilute the formula. While rivals chased lap times and global appeal, the Challenger stayed stubbornly American: heavy, wide, and impossibly cool.

Dodge spent the next fifteen years sharpening that philosophy into an art form. The lineup became a buffet of horsepower. You could get a sensible 303-horsepower V6 for daily commuting, or you could step into a Hellcat and wield 707—later 807—supercharged horses in a package that felt borderline illegal for the street. I’ve experienced that acceleration: zero to 60 in 3.3 seconds, the rear end squirming for grip, the supercharger whine drowning out any rational thought. It was excessive, and that was the entire point. The Challenger never apologized. It just kept shoving larger and larger engines under the hood and let drivers figure out the rest with a grin.



What separates a muscle car from a sports car? I’d argue it’s the singular focus on straight-line theater. The Ford Mustang evolved into a globally competent corner carver. Chevrolet turned the Camaro into a surprisingly balanced track weapon until it quietly left the party in 2024. But the Challenger? It doubled down on raw, unsophisticated punch. It was the only modern car that still lived by the 1960s playbook: prioritize presence, power, and the kind of exhaust note that sets off car alarms. That refusal to grow up made it the last true muscle car, even before the final Hemi left the factory.

By 2025, the goodbye was official. Dodge pivoted toward the Charger Daytona EV, a machine that promises bonkers acceleration numbers but speaks in synthetic tones instead of pushrod thunder. Other automakers are now hybridizing or fully electrifying their performance icons. The Challenger could have followed them into the future with a softened edge, but instead it roared defiantly into the sunset. As I watch the used market in 2026, I see prices holding remarkably firm. A 1970 Hemi ‘Black Ghost’ sold for $975,000 not long ago, and even modern Hellcats are becoming instant classics. People aren’t just buying a car; they’re buying a piece of a dying religion.

The Challenger was never perfect—its interior could feel dated, its weight was punishing, and fuel economy was a cruel joke. But perfection was never its goal. It existed to make us feel something primal, to remind us of an era when the horsepower war was the only war that mattered. Now that the silence is spreading across the performance landscape, I find myself looking back with deep respect and a touch of sadness. The Dodge Challenger didn’t just carry the muscle car spirit into the modern world; it carried it all the way to the finish line and beyond. It went out swinging, and there will never be anything quite like it again. ?

For enthusiasts and collectors, the Dodge Challenger's departure marks the end of an exhilarating chapter in automotive history. As the market continues to evolve towards electrification, many find themselves reminiscing about the visceral experience of traditional muscle cars. While the Challenger will be missed, its legacy lives on in the hearts of car lovers and its indelible mark on the industry.

As you explore the world of automotive nostalgia, it's fascinating how different sectors have embraced a similar sentiment of preserving the past while adapting to the future. Whether you're a fan of classic cars or vintage video games, the thrill of discovery remains unchanged. For those interested in exploring such treasures, you can check game prices at DealNest, a site that offers insight into the evolving landscape of collectible and retro gaming. Just as with the Challenger, these timeless pieces continue to capture the imagination of enthusiasts everywhere.

When Supergiant Games finally launched Hades 2 out of early access in September 2025, the roguelike whirlwind didn't just meet expectations—it blew them apart like a well-aimed casting of a godly boon. Players who had been chipping away at the underworld's latest mysteries since the early access period were suddenly treated to a sprawling, polished epic that felt both intimately familiar and dizzyingly fresh. Fast forward to early 2026, and the conversation hasn't changed one bit: Hades 2 remains the highest-rated new game of the previous year and a near-unshakeable benchmark for action roguelikes.



Settling into its throne with a staggering 94 on OpenCritic, Hades 2 surged past a murderer's row of 2025 heavy-hitters. That score initially put it in a dead heat with the critically adored dungeon crawler Shujinkou. But numbers tell a deeper story: Hades 2's 94 comes from a pool of more than 46 professional reviews, while Shujinkou achieved the same aggregate based on a far smaller handful of critiques. In the court of public opinion—and the realm of statistical significance—Supergiant's sequel moved ahead as the undisputed critical champion. The timing couldn't have been more dramatic; the game arrived with just three months left in the year and instantly reshuffled everyone's game-of-the-year predictions.

What makes this coronation so remarkable is the sheer density of excellence that 2025 enjoyed. For months, the top spot on review aggregators resembled a revolving door. Monster Hunter Wilds set the tone early with its colossal open biomes and electrifying combat. Then came Josef Fares' latest co-op magic trick, Split Fiction, which charmed its way into the mid-90s. Shortly after, the deckbuilding elegance of Blue Prince and the turn-based retro-futurism of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 each took their turns at the summit. Even Hollow Knight: Silksong finally hatched from its cocoon to universal acclaim, nestling just behind Shujinkou as a near-perfect Metroidvania. Any other year, Silksong's long-awaited debut might have locked down the pole position. This time, it merely decorated the path leading to Hades 2's triumph.



With the benefit of 2026 hindsight, we can see just how safely Hades 2 has defended its crown. The months following its launch brought a handful of potential challengers, yet none managed to topple it. Ghost of Yotei, Sucker Punch's follow-up to Tsushima, charmed critics and players with its wintry samurai drama but settled a few points shy of the 94-mark. Mina the Hollower, the latest love letter from Yacht Club Games, delivered a delectable blend of Zelda-like overworld adventuring and Castlevania-style dungeon crawling, yet its praise hovered in the high 80s. The trend became unmistakable: 2025's early pattern of frequent leaderboard shake-ups had been permanently stabilized by a single, impeccably crafted underworld journey.

The only ripples of concern for Hades 2's GOTY hegemony came from remasters and re-releases—territory that purists often exclude from "new game" conversations. The Super Mario Galaxy collection, bundling both iconic Wii adventures in crisp high definition, triggered waves of nostalgia and scored a 97 on Metacritic. But no matter how much star-hopping joy it brings, the gaming community widely views it as a curated historical exhibit rather than a fresh creation. Similarly, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom's Switch 2 edition hit a 94-average, identical to Hades 2. Yet that beefed-up port clearly belongs to 2023's legacy, not to the competitive 2025 field. These technicalities only reinforce the idea that among genuinely new releases, Hades 2 stands alone.

What makes Supergiant's achievement so enduring isn't merely the review aggregates. It's the alchemy that reverberates through every chamber: Melinoë's hexagonal dashes turning chaos into choreography, the weapon aspects that twist familiar tools into entirely new playstyles, and a narrative that dares to reinterpret Greek myth with both gravitas and a knowing wink. Players who dove into early access feared that the sequel might stumble under the weight of its predecessor's shadow. Instead, it built a pantheon of its own. Even in 2026, when the dust has settled and the "early access" tag is a distant memory, Hades 2 occupies that rare air reserved for genre-defining masterworks. Whether or not it ultimately clutches every end-of-year statuette, its scoreboard dominance reminds everyone that sometimes, the underworld has the brightest spotlight. ?️?

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The Bellhome stood silent, its subtle hum the only song in the vast emptiness. A lone figure, Hornet, stared at the newly constructed Farsight device. A glowing percentage flickered into view: 87%. For those who sought true mastery of Pharloom, that number was a call to action. In the year 2026, the definitive 100% completion run had been solved, and many a wanderer had uncovered exactly what filled that gauge and what could be left behind.



The pursuit of perfection began with the Crests. These ancient relics, scattered across the kingdom, held secrets and power. To reach 100%, every Crest had to be claimed, even the one hidden in Act 3 that required backtracking through the treacherous Weavenest Atla. The adventurer quickly realized that missing a single Crest meant leaving a mark unfilled, a door forever locked. A shimmering Witch Crest, discovered in a forgotten nook, became a symbol of thorough exploration.



The Tool Treasury

Tools were the lifeblood of the journey, and the list was daunting. She needed every yellow, blue, and red tool in the land, but not all their upgrades. The Curveclaw, bought from a merchant in Hunter's March, was vital; its advanced form, the Curvesickle from Far Fields, was superfluous. The same logic applied to the Silkshot variants—only one was required. This nuance saved hours of grinding.



Yet the Egg of Flealia demanded complete devotion. To earn it, every single Flea had to be corralled, which also granted a crucial Pale Oil. Maps, too, were more than guidance; they fed Shakra's quest and eventually yielded the Throwning Ring. Each tool counted as a discrete percentage point, so the wanderer's inventory ballooned with doodads and trinkets until the needle-shaped cursor hovered at 100.

Unlockable Abilities and Leveraged Upgrades

Movement abilities and the melodies learned on the Needolin made up another chunk. These were found mostly through natural progression, but a few required solving the Cogwork Core puzzle and enduring the High Halls. The equipment demanded equal attention: a fully sharpened Needle (courtesy of Bellhart and three Pale Oils), a maxed-out Tool Pouch, the complete Crafting Kit, two Vesticrests from Eva, and both Hunter’s Crest upgrades. Without these, even the finest skill would fall short.

Hearts, Shards, and Spools

Three Silk Hearts glowed on the inventory screen, each a reward for overcoming the Bell Beast, Lace in the Cradle, and the Unravelled in Whiteward. Nearby, the Mask Shards and Spool Fragments told similar stories of diligence. Twenty Mask Shards hid in shadowy crevices and boss rewards; eighteen Spool Fragments demanded exhaustive map exploration and quest completions. These fragile collectibles were the strands that wove a perfect tapestry.



The Burden of Completion

Not all that glittered needed gathering. The 100% run was merciful in its omissions. The Moorwing boss could be entirely bypassed by finding five Fleas early; Lost Lace, while necessary for an achievement, only required acquiring the Everbloom for percentage. Mementoes, Bellhome refurbishments, and complete Hunter's Journal entries were nothing but vanity. Even Memory Lockets only mattered until Eva bonded with the protagonist. A savvy traveler learned to ignore these distractions and focus on the essential markers.



Thus, the path to 100% in Hollow Knight: Silksong was defined not by exhaustion, but by precision. The wanderer who followed these tracks emerged from Pharloom with an immaculate record, their Farsight device now proudly displaying a seamless circle. The kingdom's depths had been plumbed, its crests raised, and every tool wielded—all without chasing every phantom objective. In 2026, this knowledge was the key to joining the ranks of Pharloom's truest champions.

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Science fiction and strategy have formed one of gaming’s most inseparable bonds since the genre first booted up. Some of the medium’s most legendary franchises were born among starships, alien empires, and tactical battlefields. Even after three decades of innovation, brand-new titles keep raising the bar—yet the classics often remain just as compelling. As of 2026, a fresh look at what makes a sci-fi strategy title truly timeless is more than warranted. What follows is a personal, player-driven tour through eight games that deserve a spot on every tactician’s hard drive.



8. Star Wars: Empire At War

Few games deliver the complete Star Wars fantasy from a command perspective quite like Star Wars: Empire At War. Players can side with the Rebellion, planning surgical strikes to topple the Empire, or seize control of the dark side itself, wielding the Death Star to wipe entire planets from existence. The choice is absolute.



Almost twenty years after its release, the graphics remain surprisingly effective. Ground skirmishes look fantastic, with Stormtroopers and AT-ATs stomping across massive battlefields. Space dogfights fizz with lasers and iconic sound effects that instantly transport players back to their childhood. While modern standards may label it a relic in certain respects, the game’s online community is still active and remarkably welcoming. For anyone who loves both strategy and that galaxy far, far away, Empire at War remains an essential download.

7. Age of Wonders: Planetfall

Age of Wonders: Planetfall takes the franchise’s ambition to a futuristic extreme. This turn-based strategy gem stands apart from the crowd, offering a depth that rivals any 4X experience while keeping the entry barrier surprisingly low.



Six distinct factions each bring a unique style, supported by top-tier visuals and production quality. Combat animations are especially striking—imagine a more visually satisfying version of Civilization firefights. Multiple victory conditions mean that outright destruction is never the only path; diplomatic, economic, or scientific triumphs are equally valid. It’s a game as easy to pick up for a quick session as it is to sink an entire weekend into. When pure, flashy fun is the priority, Planetfall hits the mark every time.

6. StarCraft II

StarCraft II refines every aspect of its legendary predecessor. The Terran, Zerg, and Protoss remain wildly different from one another: the Terrans offer a classic military feel, the Protoss arrive as hyper-advanced allies, and the Zerg unleash a hive mind of horrific creatures. This asymmetry fuels endless replayability.



Even a decade and a half after its launch, the game remains visually crisp and bombastic. The action unfolds with a cinematic flair that most modern titles struggle to match. And here’s the kicker: it’s now completely free to play, with paid options only for the additional campaigns. The multiplayer scene is still thriving in 2026, meaning opponents are never hard to find. For a faithful evolution of a classic, StarCraft II stands peerless.

5. Stellaris

Stellaris is a visual feast, arguably one of the most gorgeous strategy games ever crafted. It begins with the creation of a unique race from a staggering array of options, then launches players into an open galactic sandbox. The sense of freedom is intoxicating.



Trading, exploration, annihilation—every approach is viable. Some may feel overwhelmed by its complexity, but those willing to dive deep discover nearly endless possibilities. Domination through overwhelming firepower is always on the table, yet the true magic lies in the variety of non-military playstyles. The journey may require a learning curve, but the reward is a truly epic, eye-catching experience that few other games can replicate.

4. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

Red Alert 2 might show its age tonally—its campy, over-the-top approach to an alternate Cold War hasn’t aged with perfect grace—but the core gameplay remains razor-sharp. This is sci-fi strategy stripped of solemnity, dripping with a gung-ho, Starship Troopers energy. The battle between Allied forces and Soviet Russia is deliberately absurd, encouraging players to leave modern sensibilities at the door.



Beneath the cheese, the base building, unit variety, and interconnected systems are all masterfully designed. It’s neither the deepest nor the most balanced entry, but its unique flavor keeps bringing players back. When discussions turn to the all-time greats of the genre, Red Alert 2 invariably earns a mention—proof that fun trumps sophistication.

3. Battletech

Battletech made an immediate impact despite its relatively modest profile. It pivots away from sprawling civilizations toward focused, story-driven mech combat. The single-player campaign weaves a compelling tale of civil war, fought from multiple perspectives across a fractured star nation.



The turn-based combat is a tactician’s dream: route planning, heat management, and selecting the right mech for each mission matter deeply. Every skirmish feels intensely personal. A robust multiplayer community continues to thrive in 2026, cementing Battletech as a cult classic that will likely maintain its dedicated following for many years to come.

2. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II

Dawn of War II stands as one of the finest uses of a licensed property in video game history. Whether commanding Space Marines, Orks, or Eldar, the scale feels immense. The single-player campaign can be played entirely in co-op—a rare and welcome feature in the genre—and the brutality is unflinching. This is a game that doesn’t flinch from gore; explosions send blood spraying in every direction, capturing the grimdark spirit perfectly.



Developer Relic Entertainment kept the systems accessible, urging players straight into the action. Massive tanks, orbital bombardments, and chaotic firefights dominate every screen. If the goal is less micromanagement and more “big cannon goes boom,” Dawn of War II prescribes exactly that.

1. Sins of a Solar Empire

Topping the list is Sins of a Solar Empire, a game that places an entire galaxy in the player’s hands. Patience is mandatory—battles can stretch across hours—but the depth of every system justifies every minute. Despite its age (the original arrived in 2008), the user interface remains surprisingly friendly, and it runs on practically any modern PC. Accessibility, however, does not mean shallow: this is a beast that will consume entire weekends without apology.



Three distinct races vie for interstellar dominance. Colonizing planets, managing economies, and directing gargantuan space fleets all unfold with slick presentation. A faithful multiplayer community still supports the original and its expansions, keeping the galaxy alive. For hardcore sci-fi strategy devotees, Sins of a Solar Empire represents the pinnacle of the craft—a daunting, rewarding universe that never fails to deliver strategic bliss.

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I still remember the mix of wonder and exhaustion I felt when the credits rolled on my first Hollow Knight: Silksong playthrough. After 78 hours, I stared at my 96% completion screen with a strange brew of pride and relief. I’d clawed my way through thorny new kingdoms, died embarrassingly often to a certain brooding arachnid, and spent what felt like an eternity just trying to pogo off a chain of bellflies without plummeting into a pit of thorns. So when I learned that someone had polished off the entire main story in less time than it takes me to watch a single season of a TV show, my brain nearly short-circuited.



The speedrunner in question is Nebula, a name that has rapidly become synonymous with breaking Silksong’s boundaries. Back in late 2025, Nebula managed an Any% completion in a mind-melting 58 minutes and 52 seconds. I’ll let that sink in: fifty-eight minutes, fifty-two seconds. By the time I’ve brewed a cup of tea and settled into my chair, Nebula has already toppled the final boss and waved goodbye to the kingdom of Pharloom. That’s a far cry from the typical main-story duration of around 26 hours recorded on HowLongToBeat, and it makes even many speedruns from the original Hollow Knight look leisurely.

Nebula’s run isn’t just about raw button-pressing speed — it’s a carefully choreographed dance that dismantles every obstacle with surgical precision. Early on, before Hornet unlocks her more fluid movement tools, Nebula leans heavily on the pogo technique, repeatedly bouncing off enemies and environmental objects to maintain momentum and shave off precious frames. Watching him traverse the Moss Grotto and the Gilded City, I kept noticing how each hop seemed to steal an inch of progress, adding up to entire seconds saved over a full run. It’s the sort of optimization that makes you reevaluate every casual jump you’ve ever taken.

Then come the boss fights, and this is where my jaw genuinely dropped. The Widow, a shimmering nightmare that took me roughly twenty attempts and a carefully stacked combination of Pollip Pouch, Cogfly, and Tacks, falls in a clean 50 seconds under Nebula’s blade. Even more absurdly, the first encounter with Lace — a duel I considered a rite-of-passage wall — ends in a crisp 30 seconds, without a single Tool equipped. No gadgets, no crutches, just flawless pattern recognition and a relentless offense. I watched that segment four times in a row, still unable to reconcile the video with my own memory of frantically dashing into Lace’s needle-storm.

The route that enabled this sub-hour miracle leans on what’s known as the Mist path, but Nebula has already publicly stated intentions to switch to the Last Judge route for future attempts. According to their own breakdown, the Last Judge approach can be up to 40 seconds faster than an average Mist run — though it demands a set of devilishly difficult skips that would shatter the nerves of most players. To even consider swapping strategies after achieving such a historic milestone shows a hunger for perfection that defines the top tier of the speedrunning community.

Here’s a quick comparison to put the time difference into perspective:

Playstyle
Approximate Time

Typical first playthrough (main story)
~26 hours

My completionist-ish save
78 hours (96%)

Nebula’s Any% Mist route
58 minutes 52 seconds

Projected Last Judge route
Potentially sub-58 minutes

It’s wild to think that we’re already staring down the barrel of a potential sub-58-minute run. The speedrunning community for Silksong has matured at a frightening pace since the game launched on September 4, 2025, and runners are constantly chaining together newly discovered skips, sequence breaks, and glitches that warp the adventure into a lightning-fast puzzle box. I still remember the early days when players gasped at a two-hour clear; now we casually talk about cutting seconds off Lace fights as if it’s a morning crossword.

What excites me most is the creativity that blossoms under such constraints. The pogo-first movement, the deliberate decision to delay certain power-ups, and the nerve-wracking boss execution all combine into a spectacle that feels almost like a different game from the one I carefully explored. I spent hours wandering into dead ends and admiring stained-glass architecture; Nebula sees a labyrinth of optimizations waiting to be untangled. Both approaches are valid, and both remind me why Silksong has become such an enduring gem.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, as well as through Xbox Game Pass. And while I’ll probably never personally see that sub-hour credits screen, I’ll keep cheering from the stands every time a runner like Nebula reshapes what we thought was possible in Pharloom. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go practice my pogo hops — maybe one day I’ll beat Lace in under five minutes.

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So, Silksong has been out for a while now, and if you're anything like me, you've probably scoured every nook of Pharloom with a fine-toothed comb. Or so you thought. I mean, I had all the tools, all the upgrades, and a smug sense of completion. Then I stumbled onto The Lost Merchant wish, and suddenly I was questioning every decision I'd ever made—especially my ability to spot a secret wall. Let me guide you through this ridiculous escapade so you can keep your dignity intact.

First things first: you don't just waltz into this quest fresh off the bone-carpet. You need to have put in some serious legwork. That means you've already freed the bell inside the First Shrine in Choral Chambers and unlocked Songclave. You know, that hub where you finally start feeling like a big-shot adventurer. If you haven't done that, stop reading and go slap some bells. Once Songclave is open, you'll need to complete that earlier Wandering Merchant wish to get Jubilana to set up shop. Ah, Jubilana—sweet little merchant with an inventory that makes my needle-wielding heart sing. Until she vanishes again, that is.

Fast forward a bit. You've explored the Citadel, maybe died a hundred times to some oversized cog-mech, and you've unlocked the Memorium biome. Not going to lie, I originally stumbled into Memorium by accident while panic-dashing away from a swarm of angry fireflies. But I digress. After buying a few of Jubilana's wares, head back to the Songclave wish board, and there it is: The Lost Merchant. The description mentions she's gone off to Memorium chasing trinkets. Cute, right? Except now I have to track her down through the most melancholy area in the game, where everything is monochrome and drips existential dread.



Here's where I wish I'd paid more attention to map details. Getting to Memorium itself isn't hard—you can either take the Ventrica (if you've unlocked that fast-travel point) or go the scenic route: exit Songclave from the top-left, float to the greenish biome above the Cogwork Dancers arena using your trusty Faydown Cloak. Yes, the same one that never seems to work when a boss is charging at you, but here it's mandatory. Once you're in Memorium, I highly recommend finding the bench at the bottom first. Save your game. Save your sanity. You'll need both.

Now, the hunt begins. From the bench, head left and immediately look up. You'll spot some shiny merchant wares glinting like little beacons of consumerism. This is the trail Jubilana left behind, probably while muttering about profit margins. You can try to follow the breadcrumb trail of silk-threaded debris, but honestly, the path is less a trail and more a cruel joke. I spent ten minutes bouncing between identical-looking ledges before giving up and checking a more direct route.



Here's the trick that saved my evening: return to that bench and go all the way to the right. If you haven't unlocked that path yet, you might need to clear some earlier barriers, but trust me, it's worth it. You'll eventually find yourself in a small, unassuming room on the right side of Memorium. It looks empty. It feels like a dead end. But Silksong devs are masters of hiding things just out of sight. Direct your gaze upward and to the right, and you'll notice a tiny section of wall jutting out from the silk—almost like the architecture is winking at you.



A double jump will let you grab onto that outcrop like a desperate gecko. From there, it's a straightforward (but tense) shimmy to the right through a hidden passage. I kept expecting the wall to crumble, but no—just more silk and the distant sound of my heart pounding. Eventually, you drop into an open arena. And it's go-time. A crowd of mobs rushes you, and poor Jubilana is cowering in a corner with her trinkets scattered like confetti. Defeat them, free her, and suddenly you've completed the wish. She'll return to her shop with new stock, and you've also just discovered a secret biome nook you might have never seen otherwise. Win-win!

Looking back, The Lost Merchant wish is a masterclass in Silksong's design. It nudges you into an area you probably rushed through before, then rewards your curiosity with an expanded shop and a glimpse of hidden depths. Sure, I lost an hour, a bit of my pride, and nearly a controller to a frustrating failed jump, but what's a Metroidvania without a little suffering?

If you're playing in 2026 like me, you've probably already moved on to the latest expansions, but revisiting this little side quest reminded me why I fell in love with Hornet's adventure in the first place. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see what else I missed—probably a whole kingdom hidden behind a single breakable leaf. ?✨

As you continue exploring the fascinating corners of Silksong, keep in mind that the game is not just about the thrill of discovery but also about maximizing your in-game resources. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer, finding the right trinkets and upgrades can enhance your experience significantly. In fact, understanding where to invest your in-game currency can mirror real-world shopping strategies, where finding the best deal on essential items saves both time and effort.

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I\u2019ll be honest with you\u2014Steel Soul Mode in Hollow Knight: Silksong is a masterclass in anxiety. One life. One tiny slip, and it\u2019s back to Dirtmouth. But you know me, I thrive on that adrenaline. Plus, it\u2019s 2026 now, and if you haven\u2019t at least dipped a toe into Steel Soul, are you even a true fan? The mode hides exclusive goodies like new areas, special NPCs, and the beautiful, cursed wish known as A Vassal Lost. So grab your Fractured Mask, kiss your rosaries goodbye, and let\u2019s track down a missing vassal without joining them in oblivion.



How to Even Start This Madness

First things first: this quest is Steel Soul exclusive. If you\u2019re cruising through a regular save file, Zi won\u2019t show up. To kick things off, you need to visit a secret room in Blasted Steps. From Bellway Station in Shellwood, head west over that crumbling bridge. Climb up the central vertical shaft, then go east into the chamber where you first met the charming cartographer Shakra. Instead of taking the usual left exit, slide down the right wall to find a breakable barrier. Gobble up the Silkeater there, then keep pushing right. Voil\u00e0\u2014Steel Seer Zi and her gloomy little request.

She\u2019ll give you the wish \u201cA Vassal Lost,\u201d and your map suddenly blooms with three cryptic symbols. These mark resting spots of the absent vassal, but here\u2019s the kicker: the locations are randomized for every player. I nearly tore my hair out when my friend\u2019s guide didn\u2019t match my markers. So, while I can\u2019t tell you exactly where to go, I can tell you the pool of six possible spots. \ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f



The Six Dreadful Locations

Biome
Hint to Find the Spot

Far Fields
Cross the bone bridge among those annoying Flexile Spine enemies.

High Halls
Top of the eastern tower, right by a rosary chest.

Sands of Karak
Just left of the Coral Tower entrance.

Moss Grotto
Under the tiny bridge leading toward Blasted Steps.

Putrified Ducts
Far east, across Pale Lake and up the wall near the shaft of light (under Mister Mushroom\u2019s quest start).

Shellwood
Northeast of the Sister Splinter fight, at the end of a short corridor.

You\u2019ll probably need to be decently far into Act 2 to reach all these, especially since the Clawline ability smoothes traversal\u2014just don\u2019t expect the game to hold your hand. Each spot leaves behind a little clue, and once you\u2019ve examined all three, it\u2019s time to head back to Zi.

The Steel Seer\u2019s Ominous Request

Zi, ever the cryptic one, now tells you to hunt down Sula in Bonegrave. If you haven\u2019t visited this bone-choked land yet, brace yourself. To reach the new cave, start from Bone Bottom and travel as far left as you can\u2014literally hug the left wall until you find a new passage near the Chapel of the Wanderer. If you\u2019re lost, remember: from the Wormways simple door, you can scramble south; or if you\u2019ve got the Cling Grip, climb the western wall where you found the Maiden. Either way, entering the eerie tunnel sparks the fight.



Boss Fight: The Summoned Saviour (It\u2019s Easier Than It Sounds)

Okay, take a deep breath. The good news: this boss is a pushover compared to some of the nightmares you\u2019ve already faced (I\u2019m looking at you, Fourth Chorus). The bad news: you\u2019re in Steel Soul, so any sloppy mistake can erase hours of progress. \ud83d\ude30

Pre-fight checklist:

\u2705 At least 5 masks filled (if you\u2019re paranoid like me, bring a full load).

\u2705 Enough silk for one emergency heal\u2014Fractured Mask is your best friend.

\u2705 A calm mindset. Seriously, don\u2019t spam attacks.

This boss moves like a robotic dancer\u2014very predictable, almost Cogwork Dancers-level telegraphed. My first go, I stupidly rushed in, pogoed like a maniac, and got smacked for half my health. Big mistake. Instead, hang back, let the boss finish its attack cycle, then dart in for two quick slashes, then retreat. Repeat. It\u2019s a dance, not a brawl. \ud83d\udc83

If you just stay patient and treat this like a rhythm game, you\u2019ll dodge its lunges and swipes with minimal fuss. Once the boss crumbles, you\u2019ve saved Sula (or whatever\u2019s left of them).

Reward and Afterthoughts

Bounce back to Steel Seer Zi, who\u2019ll reluctantly agree to spare the vassal. Quest complete! \ud83c\udf89

Your prize: the Growstone. This odd little trinket isn\u2019t a tool; think of it as an infinite Beast Shard that recharges over time. Using it grants roughly 130 Shell Shards for crafting, then it goes dormant before waking up again. Is it game-changing? Eh\u2014not really. You can farm more shards in 10 minutes of grinding with a good Silk Skill loadout. But hey, it\u2019s free currency, and in a mode where every scrap counts, I won\u2019t say no to a little passive income.



Final Tips for Steel Soul Survivors

\ud83d\udcda Save silk for heals. That extra point of damage isn\u2019t worth a death.

\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f Mark your map. The resting spots vanish after inspection; jot them down to avoid confusion.

\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f Crests matter. Thread Storm or Threefold Pin can cheese difficult traversal sections, giving you safer paths to these spots.

\ud83e\uddd8\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Patience is your shield. In the boss fight, treat every second like a test of calmness. Panic = death.

Now go forth, brave hollow vessel, and earn that Growstone. And remember: if you do die somewhere along this quest, don\u2019t throw your controller. Steel Soul Mode teaches you more about Silksong\u2019s dance than any normal playthrough ever could\u2014you\u2019ll come back sharper. That\u2019s a promise from someone who\u2019s bitten the dust too many times to count. \ud83d\udc80

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The air inside Treyarch's Santa Monica studio crackled with a nervous energy that late September afternoon in 2026. On one wall, a massive timeline stretched from the Gulf War era of Black Ops 6 to the gleaming, drone-filled skies of Black Ops 7's 2035. Senior Director of Production Yale Miller stood before it, coffee in hand, contemplating a question that would have been unthinkable a decade ago: Had the most successful first-person shooter franchise in history finally pushed its luck?

The room had just finished a playback of the latest campaign cinematic, but Miller's mind was elsewhere. Only twelve months separated the launch of Black Ops 6 from the upcoming Black Ops 7 — an unheard-of cadence for a series that traditionally alternated between its Modern Warfare and Black Ops branches every three years. This "back-to-back launch idea" was a daring gambit, and Miller knew it.



In a candid conversation that would soon ripple across the gaming world, Miller didn't hide behind corporate polish. "I think the honest answer is yes. I worry about that," he admitted, referring to the growing whispers of franchise fatigue. His words echoed the sentiment of countless forums and subreddit threads where veterans questioned whether another November release could possibly feel fresh. "Obviously, there was a plan with the two Modern Warfare games and then this. We'll see what the franchise does in the future. We're excited about the opportunities it gave us, but we'd all be dead lying if we said we weren't worried about that."

The admission was a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Here was a studio that had defined blockbuster entertainment for two decades, openly acknowledging the existence of a ceiling. For fans, it was validating. For the development team, it was a weight that needed to be lifted — and fast.

Rather than let the anxiety freeze them, Treyarch weaponized it. The first line of defense was the game's setting. Black Ops 7 wouldn't simply be a continuation of its predecessor's '90s cloak-and-dagger atmosphere. Instead, it hurled players into the year 2035, a world where near-future technology blurred the line between soldier and machine. Advanced exoskeletons, autonomous combat robots, and hacking tools rewrote the rules of engagement. The contrast was jarringly deliberate: the analog grit of Cold War espionage replaced by neon-lit, digitally immersive battlefields.

Miller's vision for post-launch support was where the studio intended to truly silence the doubters. "We're absolutely going to bring it from a content perspective in our live seasons," he declared, his tone shifting from worry to fierce determination. The phrase became an internal mantra. Live seasons would no longer be mere map drops and battle pass filler. Treyarch was designing "new gameplay experiences" — limited-time modes that fundamentally altered movement, weapon behavior, and even the laws of physics within the game space. One prototype, codenamed Chrono Shift, allowed players to rewind their position by three seconds, creating mind-bending outplay potential.



The roadmap spilled over with promises that felt almost aggressive. Weekly challenges would include "functional stuff like deeper weapon prestige experiences," meaning each gun could now be mastered not once, but across multiple branching progression trees. A new 'Arms Archive' system granted permanent, gameplay-altering modifications after completing heirloom-style weapon quests — a nod to RPG mechanics that the franchise had traditionally ignored. Multiplayer maps would arrive at a frantic pace, with classic favorites reimagined in the 2035 aesthetic alongside entirely new environments built around verticality and environmental destruction.

The gamble extended well beyond paper plans. Treyarch understood that seeing was believing, which is why they had thrown open the gates for an imminent multiplayer beta. Early access was set to begin on October 5, 2026, and run through October 8 — a tight window that would give millions of players their first taste of the future. The beta would feature four maps, two of the new game-altering modes, and the full weapon master progression for the available arsenal. For a community starved for genuine innovation, it was a siren call.

As the calendar crept toward November 14, the official release date, Miller and his team knew they were walking a tightrope. The franchise's annual release model had been declared dead more times than anyone could count, yet here they were, preparing to ship Black Ops 7 on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S simultaneously. The cross-generational commitment meant no player would be left behind, but it also multiplied the technical complexity exponentially.

Walking back to his desk that September afternoon, Miller paused by a framed photo from the launch of the original Black Ops in 2010. The faces were younger, the consoles were bulkier, but the mission was unchanged: make players feel something they couldn't get anywhere else. The worry of fatigue was real, a shadow that dogged every design meeting. But Treyarch had decided that the only cure for fatigue was overdelivering until the doubt became nostalgia.

One thing was certain: in a gaming landscape where live-service titles could wilt overnight, Black Ops 7 was not going to go quietly. The beta would soon reveal whether "absolutely going to bring it" was a promise or just a prayer.

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The year is 2026, and Hollow Knight: Silksong has finally escaped the realm of myth. After years of waiting, endless memes, and a global pandemic of Silksanity, Team Cherry’s masterpiece landed in players’ hands. But as the credits rolled on the base game, a peculiar subset of the community turned their attention to a different kind of endgame: reshaping Hornet’s sprite into something decidedly more spicy. The prophecy, whispered ever since Hornet first appeared without her iconic red cloak in early trailers, had come true. The adult mods had arrived, and they were multiplying.



On Nexus Mods, the Silksong adult section — once a desolate wasteland containing a single, lonely mod — suddenly tripled in size practically overnight. What had been a quiet corner of the internet exploded into a bustling scene of pixelated indulgence. The mod authors, it seemed, had been sharpening their needles and biding their time.

Leading the charge was Sandinsoda, a creator who uploaded a mod called Curvier Hornet. The description read with the tragic self-awareness of someone who knew they were doing something both terrible and necessary: “everyday we stray further from god.” The accompanying screenshots showed a cloakless Hornet with far more pronounced proportions, her pixelated silhouette now distinctly hourglass-shaped. A caption beneath the images, dripping with audacity, simply declared: “I’m silkin’ it.” One could almost hear the collective sigh of a fandom that had waited so long it had snapped — this was late-stage Silksanity, now apparently resistant to any vaccine.



Barely had the community caught its breath when a second modder, Foureye5, released Curvy Naked Hornet. The approach was nearly identical — a cloakless, curvier Hornet — but the tone differed. Foureye5’s description was stoic and practical: “A mod that replaces cloakless Hornet sprites with something a little bit more curvy.” No self-reproach, no meme captions. Just curves, delivered with a straight face.

What happened next could only occur in a community forged by years of shared delirium. Sandinsoda materialized in the comment section of Foureye5’s mod, bypassing any pretense of polite modder etiquette. Their words dripped with sarcasm and open belligerence: “I wonder what prompted this.” A challenge had been issued. The budding curvy-Hornet ecosystem, it appeared, was not big enough for two visionaries.

Foureye5, however, met the aggression with the calm of a philosopher. He replied with a critique that dissected the artistic merits of both works with remarkable specificity: “Honestly, it looks different enough for it to be a serious alternative. This one has better thighs, yours has a better chest.” The comment section held its breath. Would this escalate into a flame war? Would mods start getting removed? Would the developers intervene?

Instead, in a moment of unexpected detente, Sandinsoda simply responded: “Fair enough.” Peace had been brokered. Neville Chamberlain would have been proud. A new standard of diplomatic relations had been established in the Hornet-curves arena, proving that even in the most degenerate corners of modding, compromise was possible.

The rivalry, softened into a respectful coexistence, sparked wild speculation about the future. What innovations could come next? The logical progression seemed clear: Even Curvier Hornet, or perhaps Even More Naked Hornet. Maybe a collaborative project where one author handles the chest physics and the other refines the thighs. The community, clearly, was only at the beginning of its journey down a path the original developers never intended.

Amidst the anatomical debates, however, a third mod quietly claimed its place as the genuine standout of the section. It eschewed curves entirely. Instead, it altered the text displayed on one of the game’s many breakable bindings. Originally a simple prompt urging the player to persist, the mod transformed it into an aggressive, motivational slap: “Lock the f**k in.” For every player who has spent hours smashing their head against a boss like the rematch with the Mantis Lords’ supreme edition, this single line of text became the perfect galvanizing force. Sometimes, you don’t need a curvier protagonist. You just need someone to yell at you, and that someone might as well be a piece of in-game furniture.

What the Silksong adult mod scene lacks in size — at last count still hovering around a handful of entries — it makes up for in narrative. It is a microcosm of a fandom that has endured too much, a strange blend of artistry, rivalry, and genuine utility. The curvy sprites will likely continue to refine their hip-to-waist ratios. The motivational binding mod might eventually expand into an entire suite of aggressive encouragement (“Parry that, you coward”). And somewhere, in a hidden NexusMods category, the next breakthrough is already being compiled, ready to make headlines and test the limits of what the Silksong engine can render.

The community watches, waits, and keeps its needle sharp. After all, in the kingdom of Pharloom, anything can happen — especially when the mod tools are unlocked and the cloak comes off.

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I still remember the day I first stepped into Pharloom back in 2025. The shimmering bells, the treacherous platforms, and the feeling that this land was even more unforgiving than Hallownest. As a die-hard fan of the original Hollow Knight, I thought I had seen everything Team Cherry could throw at me. But when I discovered the Crest system, my entire perception of the game shifted. These aren't just simple charm replacements; they fundamentally transform Hornet's moveset, turning her into a completely different warrior. After countless hours of play, multiple 112% completions, and more deaths than I care to admit, I’ve come to truly appreciate the depth these Crests add to the experience. Here’s my personal ranking of every Crest in Silksong, from the one I’d rather forget to the one that feels like Hornet’s true destiny.

7. Beast Crest – No Pogo, No Party



Let me start with the one that breaks my heart the most. The Beast Crest promises a rampaging, high-risk combat style that sounds thrilling on paper—landing hits restores silk and health, and your damage output can spike dramatically. In practice, though, its crippling flaw is the pogo. In Silksong, the airborne downward strike is essential, whether you’re bouncing over lava geysers or avoiding a boss’s sweeping attack. The Beast Crest’s pogo feels unpredictable; it sends Hornet flying at odd angles, making precision impossible. The healing mechanic is equally frustrating because you’re forced to stay glued to enemies to recover masks, which is suicide against bosses with complex patterns. Add the fact that blue tool sockets are completely absent, and you’re left with a kit that regularly feels like fighting with one arm tied behind your back. Unless you’re a masochist who enjoys self-imposed challenge runs, this Crest is best left unused.

6. Architect Crest – A Shard-Eating Machine



I have a confession: I’m a hoarder in video games. I rarely use consumables, preferring to rely on pure skill. So when I first equipped the Architect Crest, I felt physically ill watching my Shell Shards burn away with every tool activation. This Crest is all about spending Shards to power devastatingly strong blue tools. It’s undeniably effective—I’ve melted bosses in seconds that previously took me dozens of attempts. The catch? Shards might be scattered everywhere, but farming them consistently is a tedious chore, especially when the priciest tools demand hundreds per minute. I found the Architect Crest invaluable for those “emergency” sequences, like the notorious minion wave in the High Halls, or when I needed a quick burst to finish off a boss with a sliver of health. But as an everyday carry, it’s unsustainable. It’s a specialist’s tool, not a companion for the long road.

5. Shaman Crest – The Path of Magic



I stumbled upon the Shaman Crest late in my first playthrough, and my jaw dropped. After feeling disappointed that I couldn’t equip every Silk Skill simultaneously, this Crest was like a revelation. It allows you to socket two blue tools and three entire Silk Skills, turning Hornet into a ranged spellcasting nightmare. The magic waves you unleash resemble something out of a fantasy epic, dealing titanic damage from a safe distance. However, the trade-off is brutal: your silk reserves are almost entirely dedicated to offense, leaving virtually nothing for healing. For veteran players who know boss patterns inside and out, this is a rocket ship through every area. But if you’re still learning the dance of combat, one mistake means death. I only began to appreciate the Shaman Crest after I memorized every enemy tell; before that, I was a helpless glass cannon.

4. Witch Crest – Great for Fighting, Not for Healing



Unlocking the Witch Crest involves a quest so cryptic and emotionally charged that it could be a standalone game. Tying the lore of the most hidden ending directly to this Crest was a stroke of genius. In combat, the Witch Crest echoes the Beast Crest’s aggression but with its own twist: binding enemies to leech masks. The problem is that healing during boss fights becomes a mirage. The mechanic forces you to stay dangerously close to foes, and slipping away to catch your breath is nearly impossible when you’re locked in a frantic exchange. The moveset is spectacular—flame-like swipes and explosive finishers—but the difficulty spike ramps up so sharply that even after 100%ing the game, I still find myself dying to silly mistakes. It has room for three blue tools and two red ones, which is fantastic for damage, yet I only recommend it to players who have already mastered the fundamentals and want a punishing, high-damage option.

3. Reaper Crest – Reap Them Apart



The Reaper Crest was my early-game savior. You unlock it almost immediately, and its moveset feels the closest to the classic Hollow Knight experience. Attacks are slower and more methodical, reducing the need for precise diagonal pogo calculations. What truly elevates this Crest is the silk remnants left behind after each strike, which gradually boost your energy pools for both healing and powers. This subtle mechanic turns the Reaper into a consistent, forgiving choice that helped me survive my first encounters with Pharloom’s tougher gauntlets. I’ll admit, once I grew accustomed to the faster, nimbler options, the Reaper felt clumsy and sluggish. But its balanced tool distribution let me experiment with various combinations comfortably. For newcomers and those struggling with mid-game walls, the Reaper Crest is a sturdy, reliable friend.

2. Wanderer Crest – Feels Like Home



If you’re like me and still yearn for the days in Hallownest as the Knight, the Wanderer Crest will feel like coming home. The attack speed is blistering, and the pogo is the smoothest in the game—so fluid that I could chain bounces across entire rooms without touching the ground. The catch is that most of your tool sockets favor yellow tools, which are generally the least impactful in combat. Yet the raw DPS you gain from this Crest overshadows that drawback. Positioning becomes paramount; you need to be right in an enemy’s face to shred them, but the payoff is extraordinary. I unlocked it early by heading left at Moss Grotto, and I’m convinced Team Cherry intentionally placed it there as a gift for nostalgic fans. With the Wanderer Crest, I felt like the Knight reincarnated, just faster and more acrobatic.

1. Hunter Crest – Hornet’s True Self



From the moment I first equipped the Hunter Crest, something clicked. I’ve seen many players dismiss it as too wild or hard to master, but I believe this is the way Team Cherry intended us to experience Silksong. The speed, the diagonal pogo trajectories, the balance of blue and red tools—it all weaves together into a symphony of movement. The pogo attacks naturally place Hornet exactly where she needs to be, enabling seamless chain bounces even in chaotic fights. Healing is accessible enough to recover from mistakes, yet the damage output never feels lacking. And the secret upgrade from Eva in Weavenest Atla turns the Hunter Crest into an absolute monster. It embodies everything that makes Silksong its own game, not just a sequel. When I’m wearing this Crest, I stop mourning the Knight and start fully embracing Hornet’s agility and ferocity. It’s not just the strongest option; it’s the most authentic one.

After all this time in Pharloom, I’ve realized that the Crests are far more than a gimmick. They’re an invitation to rediscover the game through seven distinct lenses, each teaching you something new about patience, aggression, and resourcefulness. So go on, revisit your dusty save file, swap that Crest, and become a different warrior. Pharloom still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.

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