PC Critic Reviews

Mortal Shell 2 is not only one of the best soulslikes ever released, but it also has the potential to spark small revolutions within the genre. The "shell" mechanic — which allows you to experiment with distinct classes throughout the game — is not only fun but also crucial for devising strategies during the campaign. The same applies to the associated abilities and subtle tweaks to traditional combat, such as the absence of a stamina bar.

Mortal Shell 2 is such an immensely impressive upgrade from the original that I wanted it to be flawless. Of course, it isn't. However, issues with pacing, opacity, occasional difficulty spikes, and bugs are dwarfed by Cold Symmetry's overall achievement. If Mortal Shell was a short story, Mortal Shell 2 is a richly textured epic novel. The Shell System has been fully realized. The shift from stamina to Resolve pushes combat towards relentless action and risk. If Mortal Shell was an appetizer, Mortal Shell 2 is a full, satisfying meal and should be in the library of every Soulslike fan.

Currently sitting in my top five releases of the year, fans of gritty Soulslike action RPGs will absolutely love Mortal Shell II.

Any fan of the Souls-like genre needs to experience Mortal Shell II. The difference from the first game to the second is substantial, offering a visual experience that’s beautiful and well-optimized. It showcases what Unreal Engine 5 can do and provides a world of both dark morbidity and beautiful greenery.

Cold Symmetry's expansive Mortal Shell 2 is a true soulslike gem, offering terrific build variety and a beautiful world that rewards exploration.

Mortal Shell 2 seems to be built for those who enjoyed the oppressive atmosphere and brutal combat of the first game but longed for greater depth. It retains the weight of the combat, the enigmatic narrative, and the punishing philosophy typical of the series, while expanding progression, situational variety, and freedom of action. It doesn't simply try to imitate Dark Souls or Elden Ring: it takes many ideas from classic Souls-like games, but continues to forge its own identity based on the harshness of the combat, the strategic use of Shells, and a world that feels more alive and independent than its predecessor. Let's sum it all up: do you like Souls? Buy it.

To call Mortal Shell 2 an improvement over the first game feels like underselling it. It's bigger, tighter, deeper, wider.

Mortal Shell 2 is a fantastic soulslike that felt rewarding to play through and experiment with. The way the progression systems work encourages trying new ways to play, and I can feel the differences as we continually try new things and get stronger. The story is easier to follow than others in the genre, and the world is creepy and beautiful. Some of the camera angles can be a little obnoxious, but at the end of the day, this is one of the best soulslikes out there.

Mortal Shell II takes everything that worked in the original and turns it into a much stronger, more confident Soulslike. The deeper Shell system, satisfying combat, and rewarding exploration stand out, and despite the camera issues and some frustrating progression choices, none of those issues stopped me from having a damn good time with it. This is a fantastic follow-up and Cold Symmetry has seated themselves at the big table with Mortal Shell II.

Cold Symmetry has built a game that is extraordinarily close to a perfect center of difficulty for me with a clear north star of “make it fun, first.”