Mortal Shell II Reviews
Mortal Shell II's eviscerating difficulty and grimdark world work to grind the player into a fine paste. But its build variety and satisfying loop often turn the tide, rewarding exploration and experimentation to brave enough players.
Mortal Shell 2 is an excellent Soulslike that meaningfully expands on the original with engaging exploration, satisfying combat and progression mechanics.
Mortal Shell II is easily one of the biggest improvements from one entry to the next that I've seen in this space.
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 2 surpasses its predecessor in every way and is highly recommended to all fans of the genre. However, as the game nears its conclusion, some very annoying, avoidable issues become more apparent.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Mortal Shell 2 has a lot of great things going for it. The aesthetic is amazing, the combat is exceptional, and the various shells offer a lot of variety, without being overwhelming. You also have tons of room to experiment with weapons, so it’s very satisfying to finally create your own build.
Although Mortal Shell 2 starts off far more forgiving than genre veterans might expect, it compensates over time with escalated enemy encounters and dynamic boss fights that reward precise timing and strategic positioning. Enhanced by breathtakingly bleak visuals and immersive audio-visual world building, it stands as a commendable follow-up-even if a few early-game shortcomings prevent it from claiming a spot among the elite.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Mortal Shell II shows significant improvement over the first game, with more dynamic combat, great ideas, and an interesting world to explore. Despite some technical and design issues, the experience is quite enjoyable and shows Cold Symmetry's potential to continue developing the franchise. With a few adjustments, the game has everything to become one of the best soulslikes released in recent years.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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 is an excellent soulslike that delivers simple yet brutal gameplay, featuring unique shells that alter playstyles and a dark open world with stunning landscapes. However, there is a lack of variety in melee and ranged weapons; furthermore, the fact that mini-bosses also appear as common enemies slightly detracts from the experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Cold Symmetry took Mortal Shell and tackled the heavy problems of the first chapter, creating a second entry that hybridizes Dark Souls and Sekiro that genuinely surprised us. Regardless of everything, the bold gameplay and the strong artistic component make it a game not to be underestimated, one genre fans should recover as soon as possible.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mortal Shell II isn’t trying to prove that it can make a better Dark Souls. It’s trying to prove that a Soulslike can evolve without losing what made the genre special in the first place. And after playing it, I think Cold Symmetry has made a pretty convincing argument.
Mortal Shell 2 could have played it safe. It could have taken the original game, added a few new shells and weapons, increased the resolution, and called it a day. Instead, Cold Symmetry went considerably further. The sequel takes the Shell system that made the original interesting and builds an entire game around it. Combat is faster, the world is larger, exploration is more rewarding, and the sheer number of weapons, abilities, and dungeons gives players plenty of room to experiment. It doesn’t always get everything right. But I’d rather play a sequel that occasionally reaches too far than one that never tries anything new.
Mortal Shell 2 deconstructs familiar souls-like mechanics in genuinely exciting ways, with dynamic stamina-free combat and deep build variety across Shells, Seals, and Tarstones — even if some fall damage frustrations and predictable mini-bosses hold it back from greatness.
Review in Italian | Read full review