I still remember the first time I stepped into Hallownest...

Five years later, Pharloom pulls me back with the same magnetic dread. Let me tell you, the wait was agonizing, but boy, was it worth it. Team Cherry, a tiny team that built both Hollow Knight and Silksong, has crafted something monumental, and in 2026 it's finally in our hands. This is a game that began as DLC and blossomed into a full-fledged title, and the trust the community placed in these developers has paid off in spades.

Pharloom: A World That Breathes

Pharloom doesn't just exist; it exhales. Every corner feels alive, and yet the kingdom is laced with an underlying rot. This is a Metroidvania that rivals FromSoftware's worlds when it comes to lore and environmental storytelling. The biomes work in tandem with the overarching hierarchy of Pharloom, and the sheer amount of subtle nudges tucked into the environment is staggering.

The residents of Pharloom bring the world to life with their comical interactions, especially when they bounce off Hornet's stone-faced stoicism. It's hard not to smile when a bubbly NPC tries to befriend a protagonist who responds with silence and a blank stare. The game is massive—over forty hours if you want to uncover every side quest and secret. You can technically finish in ten to twenty hours, but honestly, that would be a crime. The hidden content is some of the best stuff here.

Combat: A Dance With Punishment

Silksong is no slouch when it comes to difficulty. This is a challenging game, and it will test everyone. Most bosses hit for two masks of damage for every slip-up, meaning every movement, dodge, and parry must be mastered down to the slightest adjustment. That might sound brutal, and it is, but the majority of battles are genuinely memorable.

Still, there are moments when the design feels a little unfair. For instance, running into a stunned enemy's hitbox still deals full damage, and some bosses passively float near Hornet, cornering her in spots where dodging their body is nearly impossible even when they aren't attacking. The hitboxes themselves can also be finicky—sometimes too large, sometimes not large enough. It's a minor frustration, but it does rear its head during tense fights.

That said, the variety in combat is incredible. Tools and crests scattered throughout the world drastically change how you approach each situation. Experimentation is encouraged, and that, combined with easily overlooked secrets and multiple endings, ensures the game feels replayable long after the credits roll. Honestly, I've got to hand it to Team Cherry—they know how to keep me coming back.

Boss fights worth remembering

• Unforgettable encounters that feel woven into the setting

• A handful of weaker battles with tacked-on mobs and only two mechanics

• Flexible build options let you tackle challenges in different ways

Platforming: Tight, Yet Sometimes Slippery

And then... there's the platforming. For the most part, it works beautifully—especially when you're using new abilities to revisit old areas. That's the heart of any Metroidvania, and Silksong nails that sense of progression. But the controls can occasionally get in the way. Hornet sometimes aims in the wrong direction for pogo jumps or dashes, and I've lost count of the inputs that simply didn't register, leaving me vulnerable in vital spots. It's a shame because the platforming puzzles are genuinely creative, but the precision required can feel like a crapshoot.

Presentation: A Beautiful, Decaying Dream

The presentation is nothing short of jaw-dropping. The 2D visuals give life to a depressing yet vibrant world, and each character is dramatically different from the next. The same can be said for every biome, from lush forestry to putrid backwater sewers. The level of detail is unmatched, with the smallest secrets hidden in the impressively detailed dressings of the world.

Audio is equally stellar. Characters speak only in occasional fragments of a fictional language, but that only adds charm while you read their dialogue. The boss music is FromSoftware-grade, and the sound effects emanating from Hornet pull you right into the derelict atmosphere.

Final Thoughts

Silksong had enormous shoes to fill, and it fills them with style. The world is absolutely gorgeous, the biomes vary significantly, and the amount of exploration on offer is unmatched. The presentation, both visual and audio, nails the atmosphere. Yes, the tight controls can frustrate—especially when inputs vanish at critical moments—and there are questionable combat design choices. But despite those issues, Hollow Knight: Silksong is a game for the ages. In true Metroidvania fashion, it will have you coming back for more, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

If this review has piqued your curiosity and you're eager to explore Pharloom for yourself, it's smart to shop around before pulling the trigger. Games often drop in price across different platforms and regions, and savvy players know that a few minutes of research can save a significant chunk of change.

That's where a reliable game price comparison tool like DealNest comes in handy. It aggregates current offers from multiple retailers, so you can find the best deal on Hollow Knight: Silksong without having to manually browse every store. With the right price secured, you'll be free to lose yourself in one of the most memorable Metroidvanias in years.