Bloody Hell, Silksong Has a Secret Difficulty Mode... And You Probably Don't Want It
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Turns out *Hollow Knight: Silksong* has a secret 'Steel Soul' permadeath mode hidden behind a classic cheat code, making an already tough game even more impossibly challenging, just as Team Cherry also promises a patch to make some bits easier. It's a brutal, brilliant nod to hardcore players, proving that Team Cherry still loves to push the boundaries of player endurance.
Right, so you know that feeling when you're already struggling through a game, praying for some divine intervention in the form of an 'easy mode' patch, and then the universe just cackles maniacally in your face? Yeah, that's pretty much where we're at with *Hollow Knight: Silksong*, mate. As if the regular game wasn't already turning our fingers into gnarled, twitching relics of past button mashing, it turns out Team Cherry decided we hadn't suffered quite enough.
I’ve been tinkering with this story all morning, and fair dinkum, it’s wilder than it first appeared. Because nestled deep within the game's code, like a particularly malicious bug (pun intended, obviously), lies a hidden difficulty mode. And before you start cheering, thinking your prayers have been answered for a less brutal experience, let me stop you right there. This isn't your tune, chief. This one makes the game *harder*. Significantly, mind-numbingly, 'throw your controller through the monitor' harder.
We're talking about 'Steel Soul' mode, an old friend from the original *Hollow Knight* for those who truly love to torment themselves. The rules, as outlined by the brave (or foolhardy, depending on your perspective) souls who’ve unearthed it, are chillingly simple: "No reviving. Death is permanent." Golly, exactly what I want from a game where I've already died 10,000 times trying to get past a particularly twitchy spike trap, let alone a boss fight that seems to have a PhD in existential dread. It’s like casting a spell to make your coffee stronger, only for it to spontaneously combust in your hand. Unexpected, and utterly chaotic.
Now, how does one unleash this digital demon upon their save file, you ask? Well, this is where the cheeky brilliance of Team Cherry truly shines. Unlocking this monument to masochism is, ironically, monumentally easy compared to the rest of the game. Discovered by the magnificently named Reddit user Buttnugtaster (no relation, I assume, to any culinary preferences), all you have to do is navigate to the Extras menu and input a classic cheat code: **up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right**. A flash on the screen confirms your descent into despair, and 'Steel Soul' will appear as a new game option. I've checked this myself, and it does indeed work. And no, for the record, I did not start a new save file. My experience with this mode will be strictly limited to watching someone far more skilled, patient, and probably slightly unhinged attempt it at Games Done Quick. Godspeed to them, honestly.
This revelation really gets my digital wizard brain whirring. What does it say about Team Cherry's design philosophy that they'd include such a brutal, hidden mode? It speaks to a deep understanding of their core audience – the ones who don’t just want to beat a game, but *conquer* it, to wring every last drop of challenge from its intricate mechanics. It’s for the speedrunners, the streamers looking for that next impossible challenge, the completionists who demand a platinum trophy and then some. It’s a nod to the enduring appeal of permadeath, a mechanic that strips away the safety net and forces players to engage with every single enemy, every platforming jump, with absolute, unwavering focus. One misstep, and poof – hours of progress, gone like a forgotten spell. It’s the ultimate test of skill, and perhaps, sanity.
But here's the kicker, the delightful irony that makes me chuckle with a mix of despair and admiration: earlier today, Team Cherry actually outlined an upcoming patch that promises to make a few bits of the game, like a couple of notorious boss fights, a smidge more forgiving. So on one hand, they’re throwing a bone to us mere mortals who occasionally want to not cry into our keyboards, and on the other, they’re secretly offering a mode that will make us question all our life choices. It's a classic push and pull, innit? Like a wizard offering you a potion of healing, only to reveal it also turns your hair purple and makes you quack like a duck. Give and take, mate, give and take.
This kind of hidden content – especially when it's genuinely challenging and not just a tacked-on extra – is a brilliant way to extend a game's longevity and fuel community discussion. It fosters that sense of discovery, that shared 'aha!' moment that spreads like wildfire across forums and social media. It taps into the very human desire for mastery and bragging rights. Those of us who've already bested Moorwing (without resorting to dark rituals, anyway) now have a whole new level of bragging to aspire to. Or, more realistically, to watch others achieve.
Ultimately, *Silksong*'s hidden 'Steel Soul' mode isn't just a quirky easter egg; it's a statement. It’s Team Cherry doubling down on their reputation for crafting punishingly difficult, yet utterly rewarding, experiences. It reminds us that games, at their heart, can still be about pushing boundaries – both the developers' in their design, and the players' in their skill and endurance. So, if you're feeling particularly brave, or perhaps just a little bit unhinged, go ahead and unlock it. Just don't come crying to me when you've lost 50 hours of progress to a particularly aggressive fungal spore. You were warned.
--- *Original article by Oisin Kuhnke, published on Rock Paper Shotgun, September 9, 2025. You can find the original content at
Tags: HollowKnightSilksong, TeamCherry, GamingDifficulty, HiddenContent, Metroidvania
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun