Mortal Shell 2 takes everything Cold Symmetry learned from its predecessor and scales it up considerably. Featuring a longer campaign, new combat tools, and an exorbitance of new dungeons, the sequel looks near-unrecognisable from the first game. That said, there are a handful of noted concerns following the game’s recent open beta. We’ll get into those and more – here’s fifteen things you need to know before deciding whether to buy Mortal Shell 2.
You Don’t Need to Have Played the Original
Even though Mortal Shell 2 looks like it’s emerging from the same dark-fantasy aesthetic as its predecessor, studio Cold Symmetry has crafted a complete standalone entry, meaning you don’t need to have played the original to enjoy the sequel. Mechanics and gameplay reminiscent of the first game accompany the familiar visuals, pleasing veterans in the process, but there’s also plenty that’s changed – check out our “15 Biggest Differences” feature to be in the know.
A Longer Campaign Expected
That said, a speculative difference we didn’t highlight in the other feature was Mortal Shell 2’s campaign length. Given the sequel’s scope and ambition, a mainline campaign taking roughly thirty hours is to be expected. If true, it would double the original’s fifteen-hour runtime.
No Difficulty Settings
In true Soulslike fashion, Mortal Shell 2’s settings don’t include options to adjust difficulty. Now, FromSoftware has resisted calls to embed difficulty sliders into their own games, instead incorporating customisation options so you can at least augment the challenge. Cold Symmetry appears to be following suit by offering a fixed challenge in Mortal Shell 2 that can be modified to your playstyle through a suite of buildcrafting tools. Again, you’ll need to see our “15 Biggest Differences” feature to know what these tools are.
New Shell, Proxima the Broodseeker, is Unlike Any Other
Of the sequel’s speculative new shells, only one has been confirmed so far: Proxima the Broodseeker, and she’s not like any other shell in the game. The horned, fully armoured outfit epitomises Mortal Shell 2’s newfound emphasis on aggression-first combat, with a specialised hook designed to claw opponents into close range follow-ups. Elsewhere, if Proxima takes damage she becomes heightened, amplifying her power at the risk of sudden death. She’s a ‘bigger risk, bigger reward’ kind of shell, with a devastating elemental lightning strike looking especially useful when her back’s against the wall.
Four New Weapon Classes
Mortal Shell 2’s new weapon classes meaningfully expand your combat options while supporting the sequel’s aggressive fighting style. The Axe and Dagger, for instance, is a fast, fluid, and relentless dual-wielded option, while Black Needle is a pointed spear for long-reach precision. The formidably sharp Clockwork Scythe comes with an intriguing description: “the ambitious instrument of a madman or genius.” The Battle Axe is a hefty, two-handed cleaver, built for cutting bones. Experimenting with specific shells and sidearms, Mortal Shell 2’s expanded arsenal looks capable of all-manner of synergies.
New Sidearms Expand Tactical Options
One of the sequel’s standout features are the new sidearms, broadening your arsenal with tactical range. The seven incoming each bear their own distinction too, meaning they’ll pair well with specific shells and weapons. The Forgotten Crossbow fires, unsurprisingly, arrows while the Naylshotte blasts nail clusters akin to a shotgun. The Triarch Repeater evokes a medieval machine gun, with the Salvaged Trebuchaxe, Cursed Child, and Caged Hysterix supporting their own unique playstyles. Available in the beta, the Troubadour’s Lute weaponises musical motifs to disengage an enemy, providing a strange, somewhat pacifistic option.
Contains More Than Sixty Handcrafted Dungeons
Scattered throughout the sequel’s world are more than sixty handcrafted dungeons, each set to offer an opportunity to discover loot, upgrade materials, and hidden data, all whilst tackling a gauntlet of enemies. See, instead of procedurally generated content, Cold Symmetry is emphasising bespoke dungeon design. Exactly how lengthy or complex these challenges are remains to be seen, but the sheer number at least points to plenty of reasons to venture off the beaten path.
Bosses are Larger and More Mechanically Demanding
Compared to the first game, Mortal Shell 2’s bosses are visually larger and purportedly more mechanically demanding. Featuring more complex attack patterns, enhanced combinations, and a visually arresting design, the sequel’s bosses each look like meaningful tests of the game’s refined combat systems. However, there’s a community-led caveat: opinion, so far, is divided on whether scale and demand tangibly increase the challenge. We’ll have to wait until launch day.
GeForce RTX Players Can Take Advantage of Modern PC Tech
As confirmed by Nvidia following the sequel’s open beta, PC enhancements for GeForce RTX players include DLSS Super Resolution and Multi Frame Generation, maximising framerates while maintaining native image quality. Elsewhere, PC players can activate ray-traced reflections and global illumination, boosting the grimdark world’s lifelikeness and immersion.
Notable Open Beta Feedback
Browsing through the game’s Steam community forum, the same open beta feedback crops up repeatedly. These include unappealing camera motion, dim lighting, airy sound design, unnatural character movement when locked onto enemies, a lack of sword combos, and a dearth of accessibility options. The studio’s responses, however, offer reassurance – the devs are aware, they say, and are looking at fixes for the most widespread concerns to include in a day one patch. Of course, there’s no guarantee everything can be addressed in time.
Open Beta Demo Still Available on Steam
The impact the open beta’s most common concerns will have on you will vary, but if you’re eager to find out then the sequel’s beta demo is still available for PC players via the game’s Steam page. On the whole, however, the sequel’s sweeping changes have been met with positivity, so the demo is the best way to check it out for yourself before you buy. Covering the first three hours, with progression carrying over to the full game, Mortal Shell 2’s demo offers a meaningful taster of what’s to come.
Release Date, Platforms, and Price
Mortal Shell 2 is set for global release on August 20th, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam the playable platforms. The standard digital edition is retailing at $49.99, and whether you pre-order ahead of launch, you’ll unlock a couple of bonus cosmetics: the Skeletal Harbinger Skin and Obsidian Harbinger Skin. Elsewhere, PS5 Pro players will be able to enjoy enhancements specific to Sony’s more-premium home console.
PC Requirements
To comfortably play Mortal Shell 2 on your PC, you’ll need an Intel Core i7-10700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor at a minimum, operated at 3.8GHz or 3.6GHz respectively. Graphics-wise, you’ll need a GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8GB or Radeon RX 6600 8GB, plus 16GB RAM. The required storage space, however, isn’t as large as you might think, with 30GB outlined on the game’s Steam page.
