After investing 30 hours into Hollow Knight: Silksong and still uncovering new regions, it becomes evident that Team Cherry has truly aimed to establish the most intricate and expansive metroidvania. The game is teeming with a plethora of locations, each filled with unique points of interest, scattered across a diverse array of biomes that bring the world of Pharloom to life.
Building on the already rich foundation set by Hollow Knight, Hornet’s new quest significantly enlarges the universe’s dimensions, offering players breathtaking new terrains and stunning landmarks to explore. In the spirit of enhancing your journey, I’ve compiled a list of the ten exceptional areas in Hollow Knight: Silksong, showcasing their unique attributes and ranking them accordingly.
10 – Memories
Pharloom’s Bibliography
| Bosses | n/a |
| Matters of Interest | Cogheart Piece, Spool Fragment, ‘The Lost Merchant’ Quest |
Located within the Citadel, Memorium distinguishes itself through Pharloom’s rich flora and fauna, making it one of my personal favorite environments in the game. Its cohesive design brings together the kingdom’s essential species, enhancing the player’s experience as a guide through this captivating domain.
Visiting Memorium early in my adventure unveiled previously unexplored areas, like Verdania and Voltnest, surprisingly confirming that Pharloom holds even more secrets. The depth and interconnectedness of this space not only enrich the game world but also offers a reflective experience that offsets the absence of bosses, focusing instead on quests that deepen the narrative.
9 – Mount Fay
Platforming at its Peak
| Bosses | Pinstress |
| Matters of Interest | Mask Shard, Faydown Cloak, ‘Fatal Resolve’ Quest |
My experience on Mount Fay was particularly exceptional, thanks to the seamless integration of Silksong’s movement mechanics. The platforming challenges here are not only reminiscent of Celeste, but the opportunity to focus on traversal over combat makes the climb refreshing and exhilarating.
This frigid mountain, home to the majestic Fayforn, allows players to acquire the coveted double jump, showcasing Hornet’s movement in unique and satisfying ways. Although battling Pinstress adds another layer of engagement, the sheer joy of mastering the ascent makes Mount Fay a standout area in its own right.
8 – The Slab
Unexpected Sequences
| Bosses | First Sinner, Broodmother |
| Matters of Interest | Rune Rage, Mask Shard, ‘Passing of the Age’ Quest |
Despite its seemingly smaller size, The Slab is notable for introducing one of the most innovative gameplay sequences crafted by Team Cherry. Found within a trap, players discover Hornet stripped of her equipment, leading to a frantic escape that highlights her bare-handed combat skills.
This unexpected twist takes players on a cinematic journey, demonstrating Hornet’s fierce resilience. The area showcases formidable bosses, notably the First Sinner, further emphasizing the need to strategize and adapt, solidifying The Slab’s influential role in the adventure.
7 – Shellwood
The Heir of Greenpath
| Bosses | Sister Splinter, Shrine Guardian Seth, Nyleth |
| Matters of Interest | Cling Grip, Mask Shard, ‘Rite of Rebirth’ Quest |
Shellwood’s natural charm and intricate design evoke fond memories of Greenpath, serving as a quintessential hub that connects various zones while demanding mastery of platforming techniques. This lush area is adorned with visually stunning details, showcasing Team Cherry’s artistry.
Within its enchanting landscape, players unlock essential mechanics such as Cling Grip, and encounter one of the game’s most unique questlines, providing both nostalgia and fresh experiences, albeit with a climactic challenge from a memorable boss that pays tribute to a young Hollow Knight enthusiast.
6 – Bellhart
The Value of Comfort
| Bosses | Widow |
| Matters of Interest | Needolin, Mask Shard, Crafting Kit, Spool Fragment, Bellhome, Bellhart’s Quest Board |
Bellhart represents an inviting shift from Hollow Knight’s more isolated structure, becoming a sanctuary in the wild landscape of Pharloom. It offers an array of memorable NPCs, invaluable merchants, and a Quest Board that encourages players to engage with the world through quests, amplifying the game’s charm.
Here, players can unlock the Needolin, personalize their housing, and upgrade their needle, making Bellhart a central hub in the unfolding narrative while boasting a captivating aesthetic enriched by a delightful soundtrack.
5 – Cogwork Core
A Mechanical Treasure
| Bosses | Cogwork Dancers |
| Matters of Interest | Spool Fragment, Mask Shard, Melody of the Architects |
Although Cogwork Core is relatively compact, its brilliance lies in the thrilling, skillful platforming challenges it presents, drawing comparisons to the complexity found in the White Palace. Encounters with the formidable Cogwork Dancers, regarded as one of the game’s finest bosses, elevate this area’s prestige.
Moreover, activating a notable adversary, the Second Sentinel, adds further excitement to this brief but impactful passage, making it an essential stop for players seeking both challenge and spirit in their adventure.
4 – Greymoor
Rejoicing in Prowess
| Bosses | Moorwing, Crawfather |
| Matters of Interest | Spool Fragment, Reaper Crest, Thread Storm, Halfway Home |
Greymoor stands out due to the extensive effort Team Cherry poured into crafting an engaging experience, as it represents one of their most expansive areas. Rich with unique encounters and upgrades, this location enhances gameplay through valuable skills and surprises.
The formidable boss, Moorwing, serves as a pivotal point for mastering crucial game mechanics, challenging players to adapt and refine their approach to the game beyond simple navigation, thus reinforcing Greymoor’s status as a key area of discovery.
3 – Far Fields
Incredible at the Beginning, Incredible at the End
| Bosses | Fourth Chorus, Savage Beastfly, Gurr the Outcast, Skarrsinger Karmelita |
| Matters of Interest | Mask Shard, Tool Pouch, Drifter’s Cloak, ‘Fastest in Pharloom’ Quest |
Far Fields encapsulates everything that defines an impactful Metroidvania location. It serves as a delightful blend of novel mechanics and intriguing boss encounters, remaining engaging whether visited early or later in the game.
The area is home to a diverse range of bosses, showcasing unique challenges that encourage players to return constantly, enhancing the overall exploratory experience. From mastering the Drifter’s Cloak to unraveling mysterious sequences, each moment in Far Fields is laced with excitement and anticipation.
2 – Whispering Vaults
Interactivity Everywhere
| Bosses | Trobbio, Tormented Trobbio |
| Matters of Interest | Cogheart Piece, Mask Shard, Pale Oil |
The moment I entered the Whispering Vaults, I instantly recognized it as a significant enhancement over traditional gameplay motifs found in Hollow Knight. This area is particularly memorable for its rich interactivity, engaging players in puzzles that organically integrate exploration and movement.
Here, moving crates become essential tools in navigating the landscape, fostering creativity in players while they seek secrets and upgrades. With its tough enemies and fascinating NPCs, Whispering Vaults further elevates the experience as one of the genre’s standout locales.
1 – Choral Chambers
The Heart of the Citadel
| Bosses | n/a |
| Matters of Interest | Cogheart Piece, Mask Shard, Pale Oil, ‘Great Taste of Pharloom’ Quest, ‘Silk and Soul’ Wish, Songclave’s Quest Board |
According to discussions with fellow fans and observations online, there appears to be a consensus on Choral Chambers being the finest locale in Hollow Knight: Silksong, and I wholeheartedly agree. The sheer emotion I felt upon my first encounter with this area and its stellar soundtrack is immeasurable.
This enchanting space is packed with meticulously crafted secrets, beautifully designed components, and memorable interactions that contribute to an immensely satisfying exploration experience. The area’s intricacies, featuring exclusive fast travel and unique gameplay experiences, enable it to stand as a masterpiece within the genre.
With NPCs like the Caretaker and Sherma enriching the narrative and gameplay through the Songclave hub, Choral Chambers embodies the pinnacle of what a game world can achieve, securing its well-deserved spot at the top of this list.
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