Pharloom's Grandeur: A Scaled Comparison to Hallownest

A Reddit user has meticulously conducted an in-depth comparison of the vastness of Pharloom, the setting of the upcoming game Silksong, against Hallownest from its predecessor, Hollow Knight. The analysis, which accounts for the protagonist Hornet's increased stature in Silksong, suggests that Pharloom is considerably larger, potentially twice the size of Hallownest. This detailed work, leveraging in-game character scaling, provides a compelling preview of the expansive world awaiting players in Silksong and showcases the dedication of the fan community.

Karmyuh, the Reddit user behind this extensive research, elucidated their methodology, explaining that by superimposing screenshots of Hornet from both titles, they observed the character consistently occupied 225 pixels on screen, presumably at 1080p resolution. This consistent pixel height allowed for a direct, accurate comparison of environmental elements, specifically the height of corridors within each game's map. The user sought out the narrowest corridors in both games—a passage leading to Nox in Hallownest's Deepnest and a section of the route to Pinmaster in Pharloom's Blasted Steps—which are depicted with identical map graphics. The Blasted Steps corridor was found to be 12.5% taller in pixel count, leading to the conclusion that Pharloom's map, when scaled accordingly, is significantly larger.

The meticulous scaling process undertaken by Karmyuh involved overlaying Hornet's model from both games. This ensured that despite the character's taller appearance in Silksong, a consistent base for environmental measurement could be established. By focusing on the 'thin corridor' graphical representation on the in-game maps, Karmyuh identified equivalent points of reference. The observed 12.5% height difference in these corridors between Deepnest and the Blasted Steps became the crucial scaling factor, allowing for an extrapolated size estimate of Pharloom. This data-driven approach moves beyond mere speculation, offering a quantifiable insight into the scale of the new world.

The findings indicate that Pharloom might offer a gameplay experience that is not only spatially larger but also richer in areas to traverse and secrets to uncover. This revelation has sparked considerable excitement within the gaming community, hinting at a more extensive and complex world than previously anticipated. The comparison also echoes similar fan-driven analyses in other gaming franchises, where elements are scaled to compare worlds. For instance, in the realm of FromSoftware titles, a data miner known as Zullie the Witch famously demonstrated the shared scale between Armored Core 6 and Elden Ring, despite their divergent aesthetic styles, highlighting how colossal elements from Armored Core 6 would dwarf the entire map of Elden Ring.

This pioneering analysis of Pharloom's potential size, based on precise in-game measurements, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the ambitious scope of Silksong. It highlights the vast differences in scale compared to its acclaimed predecessor, promising an even more expansive and immersive adventure for players. The dedicated effort by Karmyuh in undertaking this 'Silksongology' provides a valuable contribution to the community's understanding and anticipation for the game's release.