My Steel Soul Mode Survival Guide for Hollow Knight: Silksong in 2026

I still remember my first Steel Soul Mode run in Hollow Knight: Silksong. It was early 2026, and I thought I knew every corner of Pharloom. Then permadeath reminded me that confidence is a trap. One bad dodge, one careless pogo, and everything I built was gone. I sat there, staring at the screen… and then I started again. That loop is brutal, but it is also why I keep coming back. If you are thinking about stepping into Steel Soul Mode, let me share what I have learned.

What Is Steel Soul Mode?

Steel Soul Mode is Hollow Knight: Silksong’s hardest test. It features permadeath, so once you die, you restart the entire game. Every enemy and boss you defeated comes back. But this mode does not just recycle the base experience. Bosses can gain new attack patterns. The Moorwing, for example, might push into a fourth or fifth phase that throws even more attacks at you. Enemies may also appear in places you would never expect, forcing you to rethink old routes and old strategies.

That unpredictability makes every run feel unique. It also makes every mistake feel permanent. 💀

How To Unlock Steel Soul Mode

You can unlock Steel Soul Mode in two ways. The straightforward method is to simply play Hollow Knight: Silksong and beat it. The second method is a hidden code, and it is much faster.

On the main menu, go to the Extras option. Once you are in the Extras menu, press the following buttons on your controller’s D-pad: Up, Down, Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right.

The screen should flash white for a moment. That flash is your signal that the game registered the code. Afterward, when you start a new game, you will see Steel Soul Mode listed under Classic Mode.

this price tracking tool

#game