Hollow Knight: Silksong is already a notoriously challenging game, but for those who feel the sting of Hornet’s battles isn’t quite enough, Team Cherry has hidden away something even more punishing: Steel Soul Mode. Much like in the original Hollow Knight, this secret difficulty mode transforms the way you play, stripping away second chances and demanding near-perfect precision.

It’s not just harder—it’s a test of nerve, patience, and endurance. Let’s break down exactly what Steel Soul Mode is, what changes it brings to Silksong, and how you can unlock it.

What is Steel Soul Mode in Silksong?

Steel Soul Mode is a permadeath mode. Once activated, there are no revives, no safety nets, and no room for mistakes. If Hornet falls in battle, that save file is permanently marked as Defeated and wiped clean. The only option is to start again from scratch.

This unforgiving design makes Steel Soul Mode less of a traditional playthrough and more of a high-stakes gauntlet. Every enemy encounter, every platforming challenge, every boss fight becomes significantly more tense, since even the smallest misstep can end an entire run.

Compared to Classic Mode, here’s what changes:

Permanent Death – Hornet does not respawn. A single death ends the run.
Different Items – Some key items shift, such as Dead Bug’s Purse being replaced with the Shell Satchel.
Unique Encounters – Players may come across NPCs like Steel Seer Zi in the Blasted Steps, leading to new quests and even a battle against the Summoned Saviour.
Save File Marking – Instead of showing your last saved location, failed runs display “Defeated,” making the loss unavoidable and final.

A screenshot from Hollow Knight: Silksong showing the "Mode Select" screen with two options: "Classic," the normal play mode, and "Steel Soul," the permadeath mode. — Credit: Team Cherry

Basically, it’s a mode designed for the fearless or the foolhardy.

A wide-shot screenshot of Hollow Knight: Silksong featuring the character Hornet standing next to the NPC Loddie, a large, colorful beetle-like character. They are on a small boat-like platform under a red tent.

Hollow Knight: Silksong – Complete Guide to Loddie’s Knife Throwing Minigame

How to Unlock Steel Soul Mode in Silksong?

There are two ways to unlock this secret challenge:

Complete the Game Once
As in the original Hollow Knight, Steel Soul Mode becomes available after finishing Silksong’s main campaign. Starting a new save file afterward will give you the choice between Classic and Steel Soul.
Use the Hidden Code
If you can’t wait until the credits roll, there’s a shortcut. From the main menu, go into Extras and enter this sequence on your controller’s D-pad:

Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right.

A flash and sound cue will confirm the code worked. After this, when starting a fresh save, you’ll be able to select Steel Soul right away.

This method mirrors the famous Konami Code—but with a slight twist—and allows players to dive headfirst into the permadeath experience without needing to first conquer Silksong in its standard form.

Steel Soul Achievements in Silksong

For those brave enough to attempt it, Steel Soul Mode also comes with exclusive achievements:

Steel Soul – Finish the game in Steel Soul Mode.
Steel Heart – Achieve 100% completion and finish the game in Steel Soul Mode.

Earning either is a badge of honor, but Steel Heart especially stands as one of the most grueling challenges Team Cherry has ever crafted.

Why Even Play the Steel Soul Mode?

On the surface, it may seem masochistic to embrace permadeath in a game already known for its difficulty. Yet Steel Soul Mode isn’t just about punishment—it’s about tension, mastery, and triumph. Every victory feels sharper, every boss takedown more exhilarating, and every safe bench more sacred when you know a single slip could erase hours of progress.