Mortal Shell II Reviews
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 fantastic follow-up and Cold Symmetry has seated themselves at the big table with Mortal Shell II.
Mortal Shell II is an ambitious soulslike that stands as a far more accomplished game than its predecessor; a game that, in nearly every facet, proves that Cold Symmetry has profoundly expanded upon its original vision. The deep and richly varied Shell system, the captivating arsenal of weapons, the treasure-laden exploration, the impressive diversity of enemies, the sprawling dungeons, the striking art direction, and the evocative score and sound design all coalesce into an experience that is as immersive as it is enthralling. Yet, persistent technical hiccups and bugs, occasional clumsiness in physics, uneven balancing in certain encounters, and a handful of other shortcomings hold the game back from realizing its full, dazzling potential.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Currently sitting in my top five releases of the year, fans of gritty Soulslike action RPGs will absolutely love Mortal Shell II.
Mortal Shell 2 can be considered a successful sequel that takes meaningful steps forward in almost every major area compared to its predecessor. With more diverse Shells, a large and open world, handcrafted dungeons, and a combat system that offers surprising depth despite its seemingly simple design. Cold Symmetry has created an entertaining and challenging experience that has plenty to offer, especially for fans of the Soulslike genre. The absence of a stamina system doesn’t make the game any simpler. Instead, it gives players greater freedom in combat and allows the battle system to develop a more distinct identity of its own. That said, the game still has some shortcomings, particularly in its progression system, main story, and soundtrack. Even if the first Mortal Shell failed to fully win you over, Mortal Shell 2 is still worth giving another chance. As a standalone sequel from a narrative perspective, it shows that Cold Symmetry has a much better understanding of its original formula, resulting in an experience that can keep you engaged for hours while offering a satisfying sense of immersion in a dark and unforgiving world.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Mortal Shell II made a huge leap from the first game, making its predecessor look almost like a tech demo. However, a few questionable design decisions hold it back a step behind the genre’s heavy hitters
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Mortal Shell 2 is the AA answer to Elden Ring. More focused, no less vicious, and every bit as hard to put down. This land wants you dead, but it rewards every step. So cut down the horrors and don't you dare go hollow.
A top-notch Soulslike—fun, satisfying, and full of good ideas—held back by a few shortcomings and, for the moment, various technical and balancing issues.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mortal Shell 2 represents a huge leap forward in terms of both quality and scope compared to the original game. It is an incredibly ambitious 'souls-like' game that delivers an exquisite experience in almost every respect
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Mortal Shell II may not deliver the unforgettable bosses, intricate storytelling, or constantly surprising world design of the genre's best games, but it does not need to. Its combat, character building, atmosphere, and approachable design give it enough of an identity to stand on its own.
Mortal Shell 2 evolves the Soulslike formula by removing the stamina bar, paving the way for more fluid and aggressive combat. With the introduction of the Herald, a vast world to purify via Beacons, a refined system of Shells and PP Items, and striking visuals, this sequel establishes itself as a must-play dark fantasy adventure for Soulslike fans.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A confident, deeply satisfying Soulslike that stands entirely on its own, Mortal Shell 2 is one of the best the genre has to offer right now.
Mortal Shell 2 is a great example of a sequel that understands what worked in the original and improves on nearly every part of it. It has its problems, but its combat and exploration can easily stand alongside far more high-profile Soulslikes.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
In my humble opinion, Mortal Shell II surpasses the original. Whilst the first instalment made a particular impression with its Shell system, the second builds on that in an excellent way. The eight Shells, more extensive skill trees, Tarstones, Seals and sidearms give you a huge amount of freedom to create your own build. My Tiel, for example, evolved into a venomous shadow assassin who strikes from the darkness and can protect himself against poison. For me, that sort of experimentation is one of the game’s greatest strengths. On top of that, the combat feels a lot smoother than I remembered. The Posture mechanic gives parries more meaning, the Riposte remains delightfully brutal, and the sidearms add a fun extra dimension. Add to that the dungeons, puzzles and the many ways to further customise your Shell, and Mortal Shell II no longer feels like just another sequel, but like a game that’s finally starting to stand on its own two feet. And honestly? As far as I’m concerned, that Shell can stay wrapped around me for a while yet.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Mortal Shell 2 is one of those games that'll make you smile when remembering it, but frown when you recall the details. Its horrifying audiovisuals and polished combat create plenty of memorable moments, but repetitive stages, limited build variety, and a painfully slow narrative make it equally frustrating. Its content also falls short of justifying the $49.99 price against the competition. For all its strengths, Mortal Shell 2 gets the pieces right without quite putting them together.
Mortal Shell II expands upon the ideas of the first game with faster and deeper combat, a larger world, greater customization options, and impressive atmosphere, making it a successful and ambitious sequel. However, the game retains its own distinct identity, and Mortal Shell II could become one of the most notable soulslikes of the new generation.
Review in Persian | Read full review
“Mortal Shell 2” is more than a great follow up, it is an exceptional example of how to make a sequel by taking into account the previous title shortcomings whilst also keeping its core identity intact, expanding in a multitude of ways, providing flexibility in builds, a fantastic world to explore and also being friendly to newcomers of the genre. A must have RPG / souls-like fans.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mortal Shell 2 is a remarkable sequel that takes the Soulslike formula apart and rebuilds it on its own terms, while doubling down on its strange goth-metal aesthetic. It is occasionally uneven, but the ambition, combat and sheer personality make Mortal Shell 2 one of the most exciting RPGs of the year.
Mortal Shell II is a fantastic leap forward that offers a Souls-like experience that’s deep, engrossing, and challenging in all of the right ways. It takes all of the clever ideas of the original game, strips away the clunkiness, and drops them into a stylishly sprawling adventure with exceptional combat and world design. It’s simply brilliant, and an easy recommendation for those looking for a rewarding Souls-like fix.
Mortal Shell 2 is the perfect example of a sequel done right, improving upon nearly every aspect of the original and doubling down on its unique identity to truly stand out in a sea of Soulslikes. Cold Symmetry took the first game's solid foundations and expanded upon them with deliciously aggressive combat, inventive weapons, and striking art direction. Despite a few rough edges, uneven difficulty spikes, and the occasional cheap death, Fallgrim's dense atmosphere and addictive gameplay will keep you hooked from the very first second to the last.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Mortal Shell 2 doesn’t just refine the ideas of its predecessor — it expands them with confidence and surprising maturity. Cold Symmetry turns a raw concept into a fully realized experience: broader, more ambitious, and far more self‑aware. The open structure, the removal of stamina, richer build variety, and stronger world‑building converge into a soulslike driven by identity rather than imitation. It’s not flawless — a few technical hiccups and a bare‑bones weapon upgrade system remind you of that — but the result is solid, engaging, and unexpectedly accessible. In a crowded field of hollow clones, Mortal Shell 2 stands out as a game that dares, grows, and convinces. A strong return that speaks both to veterans and newcomers. Cold Symmetry hasn’t just made a good sequel; it has built a world worth exploring, inhabiting, and mastering.
Review in Italian | Read full review