Before Hornet can finally step beyond the towering Grand Gate and into the long-awaited Citadel, she must first overcome a monumental obstacle known as The Last Judge. This ancient arbiter has guarded the Blasted Steps for countless generations, turning away all who carry even a hint of sin. Unlike many of the smaller pests and knights encountered earlier in Act 1, this boss is a true test of endurance, precision, and preparation. Defeating this formidable foe not only grants passage into Act 2 but also unlocks the satisfying Judge achievement.



Preparations Before the Battle

Charging into this fight without a proper loadout is a recipe for a quick defeat. Players should take advantage of the tools and abilities available in 2026's expanded Silksong meta. The fight heavily punishes reckless play, so utility and survivability are key.

Recommended Crests

Beast Crest: Provides life steal on hits, allowing Hornet to recover health during the long damage phases.

Reaper Crest: Replenishes silk faster, ensuring she always has enough resource for high-damage abilities.

Both crests offer the highest utility for outlasting the Judge's relentless assault. The life steal from the Beast Crest is particularly valuable because healing windows are rare once Phase 2 begins.

Recommended Abilities

Silkspear: Grants extra reach, letting Hornet poke the boss from a safer distance.

Threadstorm: Delivers a massive burst of attack output, ideal for punishing staggers.

Essential Tools

Players should equip a mix of defensive and offensive tools before entering the gate. A well-prepared inventory looks something like this:

Tool
Effect

Weighted Belt
Reduces recoil when striking foes and lessens knockback taken from hits.

Magma Bell
Lowers damage taken from flame and magma, critical for Phase 2.

Sting Shard
Places a lethal blade trap that pierces enemies on contact.

Flea Brew
Temporarily boosts movement and attack speed.

Fractured Mask
Shields against critical damage but shatters after one hit.

Sharpened Needle
After freeing Bellhart, get the needle sharpened at a specialty bug shop for bonus damage.

The Magma Bell is almost mandatory for this fight. Phase 2 introduces waves of fire that can quickly melt through Hornet's health bar. Combining the Magma Bell with the Weighted Belt prevents the two most frustrating deaths in this encounter: being juggled into flames and being knocked out of safe zones.

Phase 1: The Flail's Straightforward Assault

The Last Judge is summoned after Hornet performs a song with two pilgrim bugs at the Citadel gate. The boss wastes no time, leaping immediately to dispatch the pilgrims before focusing entirely on Hornet. Its weapon of choice is a massive flail, and its opening attack is almost always a straight-line throw aimed at where Hornet was standing.

Dodging and Punishing

When the flail comes flying, Hornet should jump over it and rush toward the boss. A few quick hits can land before the flail retracts. Players need to jump again to avoid the returning weapon. This pattern repeats often, so learning the timing is essential.

The Judge also performs regular jump attacks. Each time it leaps, players can sneak in a few upward strikes before moving out of the way. It is worth noting that the boss does not appear to be affected by the poison affliction, so players should not waste time or resources applying poison. Instead, focus on trap placement.

Trap Strategy and Arc Swing

When the Judge darts across the screen and leaps to create a crashing effect, players should throw Sting Shards to catch it in an inescapable damage loop. Once the boss is down, attack its head for maximum damage.

A key tell to watch for is when the Judge squats down. This signals the start of an arc swing with the flail. Hornet should dodge away as far as possible. The hitbox is deceptively large and can clip her even when she appears to be at a safe distance.

Phase 2: Fire, Stone, and Increased Aggression

Once the Judge's health drops enough, the fight shifts dramatically. The boss begins whipping its flail in a circular motion, sending waves of heat and flame shooting out in both directions. This attack covers a huge portion of the arena.

Navigating the Fire Waves

Players should follow the direction of the fire waves and stay in the gaps between them. Moving toward the boss during this attack is a bad idea. The swinging flail will knock Hornet directly into the flames, especially if she lacks the Weighted Belt.

The Judge also adds a new dash attack. It leans forward before charging across the screen, followed by two to three bursts of fire erupting from the ground. Hornet should jump into the air and use her glide to stay airborne. With the Magma Bell equipped, any accidental fire contact becomes significantly less punishing.

AOE Jump Attack and Airborne Combat

His previous jump attack receives a dangerous upgrade. Upon landing, the Judge creates a wide area-of-effect burst of rock fragments that lift from the ground. Staying airborne with the glide as long as possible is the best way to avoid chip damage from this attack. Players should also keep track of where the boss moves after the jump.

During Phase 2, side hits become situational. Attacking from above is the most reliable way to land damage. The Threadstorm ability shines here, as it can be used while airborne to punish the boss during its recovery frames.

Phase 3: The Final Stagger and Victory

There is no distinct third phase in the traditional sense. Instead, the fight escalates with the Judge mixing all of its Phase 2 attacks at a faster pace. Players need to stagger the boss two more times after the initial phase transition. Each stagger provides a brief window to deal heavy damage to the Judge's head.

When the final stagger occurs, the boss begins to glow white. This signals the end of the fight. The Last Judge falls, and Hornet finally gains access to the Citadel. Act 2 begins, and the Judge achievement pops up to confirm the victory.

Final Tips for Success

Stay patient. The Last Judge punishes greed more than anything else.

Use traps aggressively. Sting Shards deal consistent damage even while dodging.

Keep the Magma Bell equipped. Fire damage is the most common cause of death in this fight.

Save your silk for staggers. Threadstorm during a stagger deletes a huge chunk of boss health.

With the right preparation and a calm approach, The Last Judge becomes a manageable wall. Reaching the Citadel marks a major turning point in Silksong, and the satisfaction of watching that ancient guardian fall is well worth the effort.

The fight against The Last Judge is just one of many unforgettable moments that make Silksong such a rewarding experience. The Citadel and everything beyond it hold new enemies, lore, and upgrades that continue to push Hornet's journey forward in surprising ways. For players who have been following the game since its announcement, finally reaching this point feels like a milestone well earned, and it is only natural to want to dive even deeper into the adventure.

For those who have been playing through Silksong on a friend's recommendation or after picking it up on a whim, the quality of this boss fight is a perfect example of why Team Cherry's work stands out. If you have not yet added the game to your own library, or if you want to grab a copy for someone else so they can experience the thrill for themselves, it is worth taking a moment to check game prices and find the best deal available before your next adventure begins.

The kingdom of Pharloom had barely settled into its rhythm when Team Cherry spoke again.

It was the first week after Hollow Knight: Silksong finally escaped into the wild, and players were still counting their deaths against Moorwing. That first patch had arrived like a merciful hand, trimming the thorns for the early game. But the second patch, numbered 1.0.28626, carried a different message: no more hand-holding.



When the notes went live, the update itself had not yet rolled out. The developers made clear that the most common issues from launch had been handled in the first wave. What remained were the stranger wounds, the ones that only appeared after thousands of players had pressed into every corner of the map. A knight who had struggled early would not find softer bosses here. Instead, the team promised something closer to surgical repair.

The first patch had split the community. Some players praised Team Cherry for making the opening hours less punishing. Moorwing and Sister Splinter were pulled back, their attacks no longer chewing through unprepared travelers quite so quickly. Rosaries became a little easier to find in those early chambers. For many, this was a relief. For others, it felt like an insult to the very idea of Silksong. They had waited years for a challenge, and now the game was softening itself after only a few days.

By the time the second patch notes appeared, however, those voices could relax. Team Cherry listed fixes that had nothing to do with mercy. They were about correctness. A boss could not be allowed to wander out of bounds. A cursed hint had to play properly. A weapon had to behave the way it was designed to behave.

Consider the details:

?️ Shrine Guardian Seth will no longer stray out of bounds during battle. Players who found the guardian suddenly sliding through a wall will now face a fair fight inside the arena.

?️ Certain NPCs will now play their cursed hint dialogues correctly. The whispers, glitches and cryptic lines should land the way the story intended.

? Curveclaw will stop breaking on the first hit after being deflected. A tool that shatters immediately is not a difficulty feature; it is a technical failure.

?️ A cocoon will no longer appear somewhere inaccessible. If a player ever lost their progress because the cocoon sat behind a locked door or beneath the ground, it was not their fault.



That last fix deserves attention. It was one of the only changes that could make the game easier in very specific cases, but only because it corrected a bug. Team Cherry wanted players to understand this clearly. If a cocoon spawned out of reach, the player was not bad at the game. The game was simply breaking its own rules. This kind of honesty mattered in a community already inflamed by difficulty debates.

Even with the early nerfs, Silksong remained brutally hard. A casual player might spend two hours on a single boss, learning each pattern through dozens of deaths. Meanwhile, the speedrunning community was already dismantling the game. Racers had completed the entirety of Pharloom in less than 90 minutes. While one traveler seethed at Groal the Great, another was resetting a run because a single jump had cost three seconds.



The patch table made the contrast clear:

Aspect
First Patch
Second Patch

Early game difficulty
Reduced
Unchanged

Boss nerfs
Moorwing, Sister Splinter
None

Rosary visibility
Improved in early stages
No change

Bug fixes
Major launch issues
Critical edge cases

By 2026, the question was no longer whether Silksong would be fixed. It was how high the skill ceiling could go. The scoreboards promised something extraordinary. The early boss nerfs had given newcomers a foothold, but the second patch made clear that the deeper game would not be sanded down. If Moorwing still caused trouble, that was on the player now. Git gud, as the developers might say with a wry smile, but only after they had made sure the walls were solid and the cocoons were reachable.

The story of Silksong's first year became less about bugs and more about two different kinds of players. One group crawled through Pharloom, learning each death like a verse. The other flew through it, turning the map into a stopwatch. The second patch did not try to unite them. It simply repaired the world beneath their feet, so both kinds of struggle could be fair.

For players on either side of that divide, the practical question of how to step into Pharloom remains. Whether the goal is to beat the entire map in record time or to edge past just one more boss, the journey costs the same entry fee. Taking a moment to check game prices before grabbing a copy is a small step that mirrors the game's own philosophy—preparation matters, and informed choices make for smoother progress.

The game's evolving patches have only deepened its long-term value. Every fix, every rework, and every fairer spawn point adds durability to a world that players will return to for years. That makes a smart purchase more than just a bargain; it becomes a foundation for the countless hours of challenge, discovery, and quiet triumph that Silksong promises to anyone willing to learn its rhythms.

I recently revisited the Little Nightmares 3 demo in 2026, months after the full game landed on October 10, 2025. The first time I played, I was not ready for how quickly the demo drops you into its suffocating atmosphere. The second time, I still flinched. The opening 30 minutes take you through a slice of the Necropolis, a place that feels ancient and hungry. A Monster Baby stalks the area, and if you are not careful, it will turn you into stone. That single mechanic kept me crouched behind cover far longer than I care to admit.



The Setup and Platforms

The demo is available on every platform the full game supports. I checked it on a couple of different systems, and the dread translated well everywhere.

Platform
Demo Availability

PS4 / PS5
✅

Xbox One / Xbox Series X/S
✅

Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch 2
✅

PC via Steam
✅

The most significant change in Little Nightmares 3 is co-op. For the first time in the series, you can play online with a friend. I tried it with a partner, and the shared terror changed how we approached every room. We whispered about timing, pointed at shadows, and shouted when one of us got spotted. If you do not have someone to play with, an AI companion steps in. I also spent time with the AI, and it was generally helpful, though nothing beats a real friend panicking beside you.

Low and Alone

The two new characters are Low and Alone. They are best friends trapped in a nightmare, and they have to work together to escape. Their tools force you to think differently about the environment.

Low’s bow ?: reaches high targets, cuts through ropes, and downs flying enemies.

Alone’s wrench ?: crushes stunned enemies, smashes barriers, and manipulates massive machines.

During the demo, I solved environmental puzzles that required both tools. One moment had me shooting a rope while my partner waited below. Another had me smashing a barrier with the wrench while the Monster Baby closed in. These moments feel like the core of Little Nightmares 3: two small children using ingenuity to survive something enormous and wrong.



A New Developer, A Familiar Nightmare

The developer change is worth talking about. Tarsier Studios did not return for Little Nightmares 3. Instead, Supermassive Games took over. That name should sound familiar if you have played Until Dawn or any entry in The Dark Pictures Anthology. Supermassive knows how to build slow, creeping horror, and that experience shows in the little details. Bandai Namco publishing the game also feels natural because the publisher has worked with Supermassive on The Dark Pictures series.

I was relieved to find that you do not need to play the first two Little Nightmares games to understand what is happening. Little Nightmares 3 focuses on Low and Alone, and the story stands on its own. There are references for returning fans, but the demo did not overwhelm me with lore. The nightmare starts fresh enough for new players.

What About Tarsier Studios?

Tarsier Studios has not left the horror scene, either. The developer is working on REANIMAL, a new co-op horror experience with a moody atmosphere. It is set for early 2026 and will be published by THQ Nordic. Tarsier promises a more terrifying journey than ever before. REANIMAL is planned for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, skipping last-generation consoles. That gives me another reason to keep my lights on this year.

For me, the Little Nightmares 3 demo accomplished exactly what a good demo should do. It made me curious, tense, and a little bit scared to turn a corner. The shift to co-op does not flatten the horror; it reshapes it. I found myself relying on Low and Alone’s tools, listening for the Monster Baby’s heavy steps, and holding my breath in the Necropolis. If you want a quick taste of why this series still works, the demo remains a strong starting point. Just do not blame me if a distant baby giggle sticks with you long after the screen goes dark.

With Little Nightmares 3 expected later this year and REANIMAL following in early 2026, horror fans have plenty to look forward to. That also means a lot of pre-orders, special editions, and day-one purchases to weigh. If you're anything like me, you'll want to grab these games without overpaying, and this price tracking tool makes that easier. It monitors price drops across major retailers, so you can wait for the right moment to dive back into the dark instead of paying full price the second a trailer drops.

Whether you're exploring the Necropolis solo or surviving the nightmare in co-op, a little extra budget flexibility never hurts. Let the price alerts do the hunting while you focus on keeping Low and Alone out of reach — and you might just find your next horror obsession for less.

Let me be real: when I first picked up the Broodfeast wish in Hollow Knight: Silksong, I assumed it would be a quick bug errand with a little reward at the end. Nope. This one sends you to a hidden swamp, demands a shopping list of monster organs, and forces you to rethink how you kill basic enemies. Even in 2026, the route still holds up, and the reward — a tool called the Longclaw — is absolutely worth the hassle if you like extra reach on your needle. Here’s exactly how I wrapped up this wish without losing my mind.

Finding the Huntress

The Huntress is not where you’d expect a quest giver to be. She’s parked in a small, maggot-infested swamp, and depending on your route, you might think you can reach her from Bilewater after dealing with Groal the Great. You can technically enter that way, but it leads to a dead end. The real path is through the Putrified Ducts.

When you come in from the top of that section, you’ll spot a Ductsucker roaming around. Take it out, then drop into the small gap below. That nasty infested water? That’s the spot. The Huntress’s hut is tucked to the east. Once you’ve found her, she’ll give you the Broodfeast request, but she won’t hold your hand about the details.



Collecting the Organs

The Huntress wants:

Organ Type
Quantity
How to Get It

Seared Organ
15
Use the Flintslate to burn enemies

Shredded Organ
35
Use the Cogwork Wheel or Architect Crest

Skewered Organ
10
Use the Longpin, Straight Pin, or Threefold Pin

The key thing to understand is that these organs come from ordinary enemies all over the world — but only if you finish them in the correct way. A normal needle kill won’t do it. You need specific tools.

Best Farming Spot: Grand Bellway

My favorite loop is in the Grand Bellway. There are two enemies right outside the teleportation station. Kill them with your chosen organ tool, grab whatever they drop, then run back into the teleport room and rest at the bench. Resting resets the enemies, so you can repeat this over and over without wandering all over the map. I did my entire 35 Shredded Organs here in one sitting.

? Quick tip: If you’re using the Flintslate, keep an eye on your shards. Replenishing that fire effect can eat through your supply faster than you’d think.

Seared Organs

To get Seared Organs, you need the Flintslate tool. Head to the eastern portion of the Deep Docks. There’s a secret area at the top with a large drop into a lava pit — that’s where you’ll find it. Once equipped, your Needle basically becomes a fire hazard. This is fantastic for organ farming because you can hit enemies with fire without accidentally killing them with a normal needle first.

Shredded Organs

You have two solid options here, and both trace back to The Architect in the Underworks.

Cogwork Wheel: She sells this directly. Throw it, it rolls forward, and anything in its path gets shredded. It’s by far the easiest method if you just want to get the job done.

Architect Crest: If you’ve gathered 25 different tools, you can buy the Architect Key from The Architect. Use that key to the west, and you’ll be able to grab the Architect Crest. When you pogo, you can charge up a drill and slam down for serious shredding damage. It’s more setup, but very satisfying.

Skewered Organs

For Skewered Organs, the Longpin is your best friend. You can also use the Straight Pin or Threefold Pin, but I had the most consistent luck with the Longpin. It’s one of the earliest tools you can grab — just outside the western entrance of Bellhart in Shellwood. Keep in mind it has a bit of an arc, so throw from a little distance. Skewer ten bugs and you’re done.

Reward



Once you’ve got all 15 Seared, 35 Shredded, and 10 Skewered Organs, return to the Huntress in her swamp hut. She’ll hand over the Longclaw, a tool that extends the range of your needle’s attacks. Honestly, it’s one of those rewards that feels immediately good in combat. If you have the equipment space, throw it on and enjoy the extra reach.

Once you have the Longclaw equipped, you'll want to put it to the test in tighter corridors where that extra reach really shines — the Underworks and Deep Docks are both great places to feel the difference immediately. Even if you don't keep it equipped permanently, it's a solid backup for aggressive playstyles or for grind sessions where you want to clear enemies more efficiently.

If you're still working through the game's many tools and upgrades, or if a friend is on the fence about trying it, it's always worth keeping an eye out for sales and discounts — you'd be surprised how often you can find DealNest game deals that make expanding your collection that much easier on your wallet.

I’ll just say it: I’m a big video game guy, and I’m so good at video games. Silksong? Easy. I’m not like other gamers — I don’t struggle. Okay, time to get real. Hollow Knight is a hard game, and Silksong is no walk in the park either. When I first played Hollow Knight seven years ago, I got my butt handed to me on a silver platter. Partly because I hadn’t touched many platformers back then, and partly because the game was engineered to make you sweat. The Mantis Lords demanded laser focus, and the first Hornet fight showed me exactly how brutal an agile enemy could be. The Nightmare King? The Path of Pain? Let’s just say I learned the meaning of “trial by fire.”

Fast forward to 2026, and Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally here after what felt like a lifetime. I was fully prepared to get wrecked all over again. Not just because my platforming skills are still shaky, but also because of small changes like the downward strike, which completely threw me for a loop at first. But then muscle memory kicked in, and the opening hours felt surprisingly manageable. Don’t get me wrong — Silksong wasn’t a piece of cake. It just felt like I wasn’t fumbling around as badly as I did seven years ago. That comfort didn’t last long.



Then the Second Half Arrived

I’m now 25 hours deep into Silksong, and while I’m avoiding Google at all costs, I’m trying to see and do absolutely everything the game has to offer. Side quests, secret areas, NPC interactions — you name it. At this rate, I’m going to run out of pins to stick in my map. But here’s the kicker: even though I have more tools, abilities, and health than ever before, the difficulty has started testing me in ways I didn’t see coming. Side quests are throwing boss fights at me that have me learning every attack pattern like the back of my hand. One side quest had me trading blows with a certain Disgraced Chef Lugoli, and I won’t lie, that fight taught me a thing or two about humility. Platforming sections are making me set the controller down, take a deep breath, and question my life choices. This is the Hollow Knight experience I signed up for, and it’s hitting hard.



The Walls I Keep Hitting

Right now, the struggle bus is real, and these are the things making me sweat:

? Side quest boss runs that require me to memorize every move or get flattened.

?️ Platforming gauntlets that make me put the controller down and breathe.

?️ Secret area exploration where one wrong jump sends me back to square one.

? Map pin management because I’m running out of markers faster than I can find new ones.

Overwhelmed, but in a Good Way

I’m probably only halfway through my time with Silksong, and every time I stumble into a new area, it opens up into another new area, then another, all with secret interconnections hiding treasures and lore. Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed but in a “please don’t stop” kind of way? Because same.

Now, instead of sitting down for a few hours to make progress, I sit down to run into a few walls, painstakingly climb over them, and then take a break so I don’t double my grey hair count before I hit 30. But damn, if this isn’t exactly what I wanted from Hollow Knight: Silksong. Knowing the second half is going to be a long, troubling road makes me even more excited. Bring it on.

With the promise of such a long, brutal road ahead, I’m setting up little rituals to pace myself. Besides taking deep breaths between platforming gauntlets, I’ve gotten into the habit of planning my next gaming purchases while I let my hands stop shaking.

Since the backlog is just as intimidating as Silksong’s map, I tend to use a game price tracker whenever I catch myself eyeing up indie darlings or upcoming DLC. It helps me stay patient, knowing I can wait for the right price rather than impulse-buying out of frustration after getting flattened by some optional boss. For now, it’s all about pacing, patience, and enjoying the climb - one pixel-perfect jump at a time.

Most V8 engines rely on displacement rather than extreme revs to generate power. Their abundant low-end torque usually makes high redlines unnecessary. Ford, though, has produced several exceptions over more than a century of engine development. Among them, one production V8 stands above the rest: the 5.2-liter Voodoo engine, which carries the highest factory redline ever fitted to a Ford V8.



With a factory-set redline of 8,250 rpm, the 5.2-liter Voodoo V8 claims the title of highest-revving Ford V8 engine built for production. It arrived in 2015 and spent its life under the hood of the Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT350R. Naturally aspirated, the Voodoo produced 526 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, impressive numbers for an engine without forced induction.

Why the flat-plane crank matters

The Voodoo’s high-revving character comes from its flat-plane crankshaft. In this layout, the four connecting rod journals are spaced 180 degrees apart, rather than the 90-degree spacing found on a conventional cross-plane V8. Cross-plane engines typically require large counterweights for balance, and those counterweights add rotating mass. Flat-plane engines avoid much of that mass, which reduces inertia and allows the engine to rev more freely.

That design choice brings trade-offs. A flat-plane V8 generally gives up some low-end torque, and it creates more vibration than a cross-plane mill. Ford managed the vibration in the GT350 with a dual-mass flywheel and exhaust dampers so the car would not rattle its occupants. The payoff is a sharper throttle response, a higher peak rpm, and a distinctive high-pitched scream rather than a traditional American V8 rumble.



Engineering details of the Voodoo V8

Ford went deep into development to make the Voodoo suitable for hard use in the Shelby GT350. The aluminum block and cylinder heads were 13 pounds lighter than the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter Coyote V8. Forged pistons and connecting rods handled the extreme loads produced by high-rpm operation, while an oil squirter system helped keep the pistons cool during sustained hard running. Engineers also used composite camshafts to reduce weight further. CNC machining shaped the cylinder head ports and combustion chambers, giving each engine precise consistency and improved reliability.



The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 offered these base specifications:

Specification
Value

Base price
$59,140

Engine
5.2L V8 Gas

Transmission
6-speed manual

Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive

Horsepower
526 hp

Torque
429 lb-ft @ 4,750 rpm

Fuel economy
14/21 MPG

Curb weight
3,760 lbs

Wheelbase
107.1 in



Retirement and the supercharged successor

Despite its lightweight design and unmistakable exhaust note, Ford retired the flat-plane Voodoo after just five years. The naturally aspirated GT350 ended production in 2020, while the GT500 continued with a supercharged cross-plane variant of the 5.2-liter V8. That engine, called the Predator, produces 760 horsepower and 625 pound-feet of torque. Ford Performance also sells a crate version of the Predator for around $25,000, although it uses the cross-plane configuration rather than the Voodoo’s flat-plane design. The Voodoo’s time was short, but its high-rpm wail secured a place in muscle car history.



Another high-revving Ford: the SHO V6

The Voodoo is not the only Ford engine known for enthusiastic revs. The 3.0-liter SHO V6 powered the Taurus SHO performance sedan between 1989 and 1995. It produced 220 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, but its real party piece was its rev potential. During testing, the engine could reliably reach 8,500 rpm. Ford electronically limited it to 7,000 rpm in production because the accessory drive system had issues at higher speeds, though the engine internals themselves could handle the pressure.



Designed in conjunction with Yamaha, the SHO V6 featured dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and aluminum head castings to keep weight down. A clever dual-plenum intake system helped maintain low-rpm efficiency. Below 4,000 rpm, six specially tuned long small-diameter runners fed air to the engine. Above that threshold, butterfly valves opened to allow airflow from six short-bore intake runners, keeping the engine happy at higher speeds. The SHO V6 was eventually replaced by a naturally aspirated 3.4-liter V8 in 1995.



The experimental Boss 7.0-liter that reached 9,000 rpm

Beyond production engines, Ford explored even higher revs with a development engine known internally as the Boss. In the mid-2000s, the company considered a 7.0-liter V8 for its truck range that could rev to about 7,000 rpm. The engine used wider bore spacing than many contemporary Ford V8s, but the project was ultimately abandoned. It later lived on in smaller form as the 6.2-liter engine used in vehicles such as the 2010 SVT Raptor.



One development 7.0-liter engine ended up in the hands of drag racer Don Bowles. With help from Roush Performance, the engine was upgraded for competition and quickly reached 9,000 rpm. In his drag Mustang, Bowles broke into the nine-second quarter-mile range, finished second in the 2007 NMRA points standings, and earned three event wins. The engine was replaced the following year by an ex-NASCAR Ford D3 unit. While the Boss was never a production engine, it demonstrated the high-rev potential that existed inside Ford’s engineering programs.



As of 2026, the automotive industry continues to favor turbocharged engines in many segments, which makes a new ultra-high-revving naturally aspirated Ford V8 less likely. Still, Ford has publicly committed to keeping its V8 engines alive as long as possible. The Voodoo’s 8,250-rpm redline remains the production benchmark, but the company’s history suggests the appetite for high-rpm experimentation has not disappeared entirely.

For enthusiasts who want to experience the thrill of an 8,250-rpm redline without the maintenance costs of owning a high-strung V8, modern racing simulators and automotive games offer a compelling alternative. These digital recreations let drivers explore the full potential of legendary engines from the comfort of home, complete with realistic sound and physics that capture the character of Ford's high-revving powerplants.

Building a virtual garage of classic performance cars can get expensive, however, which is why many gamers are always on the lookout for where to buy cheap games. DealNest helps players expand their collection of racing titles and other automotive experiences without breaking the bank, making it easier to chase that perfect shift point from behind a screen.

Now that Hollow Knight: Silksong is finally here in 2026, I have been diving into every corner of Pharloom. Honestly, after my time in Deepnest back in the original Hollow Knight, I was ready to hate whatever skittering nightmare the sequel threw at me next. When I dropped into the Wormways, I braced for the worst—a cramped, winding tunnel network full of creepy crawlies. To my surprise, Team Cherry actually showed mercy this time. The Wormways are far smaller and more forgiving than the depths of Deepnest. That does not mean the area is skippable, though. It hides numerous upgrades, collectibles, and side quests that a thorough adventurer will not want to miss. Here is how my own run through the tunnels went, and what I learned along the way.

My First Drop Into the Tunnels

My first encounter with the Wormways came when I dropped through the western Shellwood exit. I later discovered there are two main entrances—one above and one below—but I strongly suggest entering from the top first. That path leads directly to Shakra, the map merchant, who will make the maze-like passages much easier to navigate. The map costs 70 Rosaries, and it is worth every bead. In the room just before Shakra, I also picked up a Dead Bug’s Purse, a fantastic safety net if you tend to lose your Rosaries after death. On a Steel Soul run, that item is replaced by the Shell Satchel.



? A Simple Key Opens the Lower Half

Near the bottom of the main vertical chamber, a locked door blocked the other half of the Wormways. I learned the hard way that a Simple Key is nearly essential here. You can buy one from the merchant in Bone Bottom for 500 Rosaries, or you can grab a free one from Sinner’s Road. Once I had it, the entire lower section opened up, revealing many of the area’s secrets.



? Meeting Professor Zylotol and Side Quests

Hidden near the top of the Wormways, Professor Zylotol waits in his private chamber. He offered me a quest called Alchemist’s Assistant: extract three phials of Plasmium from the cocoons growing nearby. After collecting them, I received a Plasmium phial, which can be injected for a bit of extra health. This was a lifesaver during some of the tougher fights that followed.



? Advanced Alchemy and the Blue Infection

When I returned in Act 3, the entire Wormways had changed. The area was bathed in a blue tint, infected with Lifeblood—or Plasmium—and the local creatures had become corrupted. Professor Zylotol had another request: gather ten corrupted blood samples. Using the same phial, I had to strike enemies at just the right moment to collect their blood. The timing can be tricky, but if you struggle, head to the bottom left of the area. There you will find Professor Zango, a miniboss who is surprisingly simple and provides plenty of samples. Returning to Zylotol awarded me an item that grants unlimited Plasmium, meaning I never had to pay for refills again.



?️ Weavenest Karn and Sharpdart

Once I had the Needolin and the Clawline ability, I headed to the far west of the Wormways. Weavenest Karn is a super short area with only a few jumps and enemies, but the reward at the back is incredible: the Sharpdart ability. This quickly became my favorite silk skill in the game. It lets you dash through enemies while hitting them multiple times. Pairing it with the Volt Filament melts flying grouped enemies, like those in the High Halls Gauntlet fight. I even found I could make the jump in front of the main entrance without the Faydown Cloak, as long as my timing was good.



? Collectibles I Almost Missed

The Wormways also hide a handful of collectibles that are easy to walk past.

Mask Shard

In the area just below the door where I inserted the Simple Key, there is a breakable wall with a Mask Shard behind it. Even better, you can grab this very early in the game, before you even have the key.



Lost Flea

Right above the locked trapdoor, near the Simple Key door, I found a breakable wall on the eastern side of the large vertical room. Breaking it and passing through the following chamber revealed a lost flea who needed help.



Memory Locket

In the large chamber to the southwest, a long series of tunnels leads to a Memory Locket at the end.



Beast Shard

The final surprise was a massive Craggler in the long eastern corridor past the south entrance. I had sprinted past him on my first visit, but returning to fight him was absolutely worth it. I hid beneath the platforms while he spat, then popped out for rapid jump strikes. Cogfly or Wispfire lantern can add free damage. After enough hits, he exploded and dropped a Beast Shard, bringing my crafting total to 140 shards. Clearing that room also caused a new enemy, the Cragglite, to spawn—you will need those for the Hunter’s Journal later.



The Wormways may look intimidating at first glance, but with a map, a Simple Key, and a little preparation, it quickly becomes one of the most rewarding early areas in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Between the Plasmium rewards, Sharpdart, and the hidden collectibles, I left the tunnels far stronger than when I entered—and, to my relief, far less traumatized than Deepnest ever made me.

Exploring areas like the Wormways reminded me why this genre is so special—the thrill of uncovering a hidden room, nailing a tricky jump, or finally beating a tough enemy is genuinely unmatched. Hollow Knight: Silksong rewards patience and curiosity in ways that few other games manage, and every new ability opens up even more of the map to explore and enjoy.

If reading about these discoveries has you eager to dive into Silksong or pick up other indie adventures, it's always worth checking whether you can snag a better deal before you hit that purchase button. A quick game price comparison can help you find the best price across different stores, so you can spend more time exploring beautiful worlds like the Wormways and less time worrying about your wallet. Platforms like DealNest make it easy to spot discounts and keep your gaming budget healthy for the next big release.

I’ll be straight with you: in Hollow Knight: Silksong, tools are the name of the game. I learned that the hard way in the Moss Grotto, juggling Hornet’s Compass and a few defensive Crests and still feeling like I was one slot short of a full kit. Then I stumbled onto Eva’s chamber, and everything clicked. The game quietly lets you unlock a universal tool slot that applies across all Crests, regardless of their individual capacity. That is a huge deal, especially if you’re like me and refuse to leave a bench without a navigation tool equipped.



Where To Find Hornet’s First Crest Expansion

The early bird catches the worm, and in Silksong that worm is a universal Vestricrest. You can unlock the universal tool slot and several other Crest upgrades as early as Act 1. The only prerequisite? You need to have defeated Widow above Bellhart. After you free the town and unlock the Needolin Weaver ability, backtrack all the way to the starting area in the Moss Grotto. On my first run, I completely missed it because I was too busy chasing map pins.

Look for a skull-shaped door on the right side of the map. When you play your instrument, the door opens. I stood there scratching my head before I pieced that together. From there, head deeper into the depths until you meet a mysterious NPC named Eva in her chamber.

Talk to Eva and you’ll receive an upgraded Hunter’s Crest plus the first universal Vestricrest for slotting an additional tool across all Crests — but only if you’ve spent a minimum of 3 Memory Lockets before this point. If you’re running on empty, don’t bother knocking yet. I had to backtrack and farm a few extra Lockets, and honestly, it was worth every second.

As a little bonus, travelling farther to the right of the elevator shaft leads to an area of the Marrows with one of Hornet’s mask shards. You only need a bit of parkour and a couple of destructible walls.



How To Unlock Additional Crest Slots

Here’s where things get a little murky. Eva encourages you to come back later, but she doesn’t exactly spell out the trigger. After plenty of trial and error, I figured out the next Vestricrest — the one that allows an additional universal defensive tool — requires you to have spent 6 Memory Lockets and unlocked at least 5 Crests. No shortcuts, no hand-holding.

Upgrade
Requirements

First universal Vestricrest
Spend 3 Memory Lockets, defeat Widow above Bellhart, talk to Eva

Second universal defensive slot
Spend 6 Memory Lockets, unlock at least 5 Crests

Final Hunter’s Crest upgrade / Sylphsong
Collect and fully unlock every Crest in Act 2

Eva also keeps upgrading your Hunter’s Crest as you spend more Memory Lockets. Her final offering, though, is a completionist’s marathon: you need to collect and fully unlock every Crest available in Act 2. Return for the last time and Eva hands over the Sylphsong ability, which lets you generate silk while resting at benches, plus a trophy for your effort. I won’t lie — that final step is no walk in the park. But Sylphsong is an absolute game changer for long exploration sessions.

Why I Rate This Upgrade So Highly

I’d argue these upgrades are some of the best early-game bang for your buck in Silksong. The universal Vestricrest is basically an ace up your sleeve across every Crest you own. Pair it with Hornet’s Compass and you can wander off the beaten path without sacrificing defense or utility. If you’re the kind of player who hates backtracking, hunting down every Crest might sound like overkill. But trust me — the universal enhancements and Hunter’s Crest upgrades are the real prize, not just a shiny completion badge.

As of 2026, the community has settled on this route as one of the strongest early power spikes you can chase. I still see players sleeping on Eva’s upgrades because the requirements feel obscure, but once you know the recipe, it’s straightforward.

? Quick checklist:

Defeat Widow above Bellhart to unlock the Act 1 route.

Spend at least 3 Memory Lockets before visiting Eva.

Find the skull-shaped door on the right side of the Moss Grotto map.

For the second slot, spend 6 Memory Lockets and unlock 5 Crests.

For the final reward, collect and fully unlock every Act 2 Crest.

If you're the kind of player who loves squeezing every upgrade out of a game like this, chances are you've already got a wishlist packed with similar action-platformers. Games that reward thorough exploration tend to pile up fast, and that's exactly when a good deal becomes your best companion. Instead of paying full price for your next adventure, a dedicated steam deal finder can help you snag those hidden gems while they're discounted.

Whether you're hunting down Memory Lockets or hunting down a bargain, the principle is the same: a little extra effort up front saves you plenty down the road. Checking price history and stacking discounts before your next purchase lets you grow your library without draining your wallet — so you can keep diving into worlds like Hallownest for a fraction of the cost.

I have a confession: I've always been the kind of car nut who gets weak-kneed for subtlety wrapped around a sucker punch. As an ordinary player with no garage full of Hemis, I appreciate a machine that doesn't need to shout to rearrange your spine. That's exactly why the 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 concept hit me like a marlin hitting a trolled lure.

I first saw it in photos before the 2025 Mecum Chicago sale, and honestly, I expected another pretty trailer queen. What I found instead was a one-off built by the Alexander Brothers in cahoots with Chrysler, shown at the 1969 Chicago Auto Show, wearing Maroon metallic like a grizzly bear in a rented tuxedo. It was Detroit flexing brains instead of just cubic inches.



Beneath that tri-lobed hood with butterfly-valve vents—a look that screams “supercharged” without needing any boost—sits a 340-cubic-inch LA-series V8. It idles like a caffeinated woodpecker tapping out a warning. The numbers aren't Hemi-frightening, but they're honest: 275 horsepower and 340 LB-FT of torque through a four-barrel carb. A no-nonsense A833 four-speed manual feeds an 8.75-inch rear axle, and dual exhaust pipes make sure no one behind you mistakes it for a polite economy sedan.



Here's the mechanical cheat sheet:

Component
What You Get

Engine
340 ci LA-series V8

Output
275 hp / 340 lb-ft

Induction
Four-barrel carb

Transmission
A833 4-speed manual

Rear end
8.75-inch axle

Brakes & steering
Power-assisted

Wheels
Ansen Sprint slotted mags

The chassis was treated like a proper show car. Dodge lowered it, chopped the roof, raked the windshield, and swapped wimpy hood latches for hood pins. Those big square Cibie headlights flank a blacked-out grille with inboard fog lamps, and a molded-in rear spoiler keeps the tail from looking lazy. The whole silhouette is sharp enough to slice through a tollbooth.



Inside, Larry and Mike Alexander went full Spartan. Two bucket seats, a radio-delete plate, a Hurst shifter, three pedals, and barebones gauges. Every part has a job. The only party trick is the doors: no visible handles. You press a hidden button in a shallow body groove, which makes entering the car feel less like opening a door and more like solving a tiny, wonderful riddle.



Now let's talk about the Swinger 340 package itself. It was the street-savvy kid brother to Dodge's Hemi and 440 monsters. A stock Swinger 340 carried a 10.5:1 compression ratio, which gave it the punch of a bigger engine without the nose-heavy penalty. For about $2,836, you could smoke the quarter mile in roughly 14 seconds and hit 60 MPH in about six. That's not merely a pretty face for a concours lawn; that's a legit muscle car wearing a concept-car sheen.

This particular one-off survived the decades and eventually landed in Steven Juliano's collection. Fully restored with NOS parts and original goodies, it showed 28,105 miles on the odometer. By the time it went across the block at Mecum Chicago on September 20, 2025, it was no longer just a curiosity—it was a rolling reminder that Detroit once knew how to mix brains, brawn, and bravado in one maroon package.

In 2026, I still can't shake it. I've seen plenty of cars that try to impress with massive blowers and body kits, but the Dart Swinger 340 concept feels like a jazz drummer who never plays a wasted note. It's quick, agile, hidden-handle weird, and exactly the kind of machine that makes you lean over a velvet rope and whisper, "Okay, Mopar, you win."

Appreciating a one-off classic like this Dart isn't just about the metal and the paint; it's about the hunt. Whether it's tracking down a NOS part, verifying a VIN, or finding a comparable sale to estimate current market value, the digital age has made the chase for automotive perfection a lot easier. I spend as much time refreshing auction pages and parts websites as I do turning wrenches.

That same spirit of hunting for a great deal carries over into my other downtime. When I'm not obsessing over a 340 V8, I'm diving into a virtual garage on my PC. Obviously, that means I'm always looking for the next great game without breaking the bank. To maximize my budget, I actually browse the DealNest website, and their steam sale tracker is the first thing I check in the morning. It neatly aggregates discounts, which feels a lot like using a classic car price guide—pure, organized efficiency that makes sure you never miss a bargain.

Like many of you, I was completely mesmerized by Hollow Knight: Silksong the moment it launched. The breathtaking art, the fluid combat, the haunting melodies – it’s a masterpiece that demands to be experienced. But for a completionist like me, simply reaching the credits was never going to be enough. I needed to see everything Pharloom had to offer. I needed to conquer every challenge. I needed that Platinum trophy.

And after countless hours, more than a few rage quits, and a deep dive into every shadowed corner of the kingdom, I finally did it. Now, with the game having been out since 2023 and many of you still chasing that final trophy in 2026, I want to share what I’ve learned. This isn't just a dry list; it's the story of how I unlocked all 52 trophies in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and how you can too.

The Trophies at a Glance

There are 52 trophies in total, split across multiple categories that will test your skill, patience, and keen eye for secrets. The good news? A large chunk of them will unlock naturally as you battle through the story and defeat main bosses. The bad news? Several are missable, and some demand a level of mastery that will push you to your absolute limit. Here’s a breakdown:

Category
Number of Trophies
Risk of Missable?

Story Progression
18
No

Exploration & Secrets
14
Yes

Boss Challenges
10
Yes (some)

Crafting & Upgrades
6
No

Miscellaneous
4
Yes

I can’t stress enough how important it is to be aware of the missable achievements. During my first playthrough, I completely missed a hidden boss tied to an early game accessory simply because I progressed too far. I won’t spoil which one, but let’s just say I started a second run with a much more careful plan.



The Journey from Novice to Grandmaster

The story-related trophies are the backbone of your journey. From escaping the bindings of your cage to confronting the highest powers in the Citadel, each major milestone pops a satisfying trophy. What surprised me, though, was the emotional weight behind them. The game doesn’t just hand them out – they often mark moments of profound discovery and heartbreak.

But the real test begins with the exploration achievements. Are you prepared to leave no stone unturned? Pharloom is a vertical labyrinth, and you’ll need to find every hidden grove, every forgotten shrine, and every secret passage. One trophy requires you to collect all of the Silk Charms, which are scattered across the map in the most infuriatingly clever hiding spots. I remember spending three real-world days searching for the last one, only to realize it was locked behind a breakable floor I’d walked over a hundred times. Did that make me feel foolish? Absolutely. But the rush of finally holding it was worth every second.

Speaking of infuriating, let’s talk about the boss rush trophies. If you thought the base game bosses were challenging, wait until you face their remixed, harder versions in the Carpenter’s Gauntlet. To unlock the “Unyielding Silk” trophy, you must complete a gauntlet of twelve bosses without dying, and taking damage is heavily penalized. I felt my heart in my throat during that final fight, my hands trembling as I delivered the last strike. My advice? Practice the individual bosses in the Hall of Memories until their patterns become muscle memory. You’ll need it.

The Missable Achievements That Almost Broke Me

Must you worry about missables? Yes, and you should be extra cautious. The most notorious missable trophy is undoubtedly “The Weeping City’s End,” which involves a side quest that can be permanently locked if you slay the wrong creature or reach a certain late-game area without completing it. I learned this the hard way. The quest giver, a mysterious masked merchant, will simply vanish if you progress too far, taking the trophy with them. Always exhaust every dialogue option and side area before advancing the main quest.

Another missable, “A King’s Sacrifice,” ties directly to a choice you make in the mid-game. Will you heed the call of vengeance or break the cycle? Your decision not only shapes the narrative but also determines whether this trophy pops. My first choice felt right morally, but it cost me the achievement. On my second run, I steeled my heart and picked the other path. The experience left me questioning my own sense of justice – a real testament to the game’s writing.

Crafting Your Way to Completion

The crafting trophies are a welcome respite from the nail-biting combat. Gathering the myriad resources—Crimson Thread, Shimmering Shells, and the elusive Loomlight Ore—takes time but rarely feels unfair. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of upgrading my Tools and Crests, watching Hornet become an unstoppable force. One thing I wish I’d known earlier: don’t waste your rare materials on early-game upgrades. Save them for the final-tier gear, because you’ll be using those to survive the absolute hardest content.

The Final Hurdle

I’ll never forget the moment the Platinum trophy finally flashed across my screen. It was 2:37 AM on a Tuesday, and I sat alone in my dimly lit room, heart hammering, a wide grin on my face. The path there had been brutal, educational, and utterly transformative. The game demands that you learn its language—every attack pattern, every environmental cue, every hidden rhythm.

So, is it worth it? If you love Hollow Knight, absolutely. The trophy hunt in Silksong isn’t just a checklist; it’s a masterclass in game design that reveals layers of creativity and passion you might otherwise miss. Just remember: go slow, check every nook, and maybe keep a backup save for those critical missable moments. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think my hands have finally stopped shaking. Time for a new adventure.

As I set down my controller and let the credits wash over me, I found myself already thinking about what comes next. The Platinum trophy hunt had been an obsession, but now that it’s complete, a familiar itch is returning. There’s a whole library of hidden gems waiting out there, and my wallet isn’t exactly in a celebratory mood after all those late-night DLC impulse buys. But I’ve learned my lesson since my last hunt: I now check best game deals before committing to any new adventure, because nothing kills a victory high like overpaying for the next obsession.

Whether you’re chasing that next Platinum, revisiting an old classic, or diving into an indie darling you’ve overlooked, the hunt doesn’t have to end with your trophy list. The real joy of gaming is discovering what’s on the horizon—and doing it without breaking the bank. So take a breath, stretch those cramped hands, and start scouting your next challenge. Trust me, the victory will taste even sweeter when you didn’t have to pay full price for it.