Steel Soul Mode is a game mode in Hollow Knight that the player unlocks after completing the game once.
In Steel Soul Mode, there are three main changes to gameplay:
- The player will not respawn upon death. Once the player dies, the game ends and the save file is reset. Note: dying to Lost Kin, Failed Champion, Soul Tyrant, Grey Prince Zote, White Defender, or Nightmare King Grimm does NOT count as an actual death.
- Confessor Jiji is replaced by Steel Soul Jinn, who will trade Rancid Eggs for Geo.
- Tuk has been killed by the Infection, and will not sell Rancid Eggs. found next to tuk's corpse is a Rancid Egg.
As death is permanent, this means that the Fragile Charms sold by Leg Eater become significantly more useful, as their main penalty (breaking upon death) is nullified.
Trying to enter a failed Steel Soul run will result in asking if the player would like to clear the save slot.
Screen for completing Steel Soul mode without dying. The off-centered text is likely a visual error.
The Game Over screen, only visible if you die in Steel Soul Mode.