Mortal Shell II review: a sharper, more welcoming soulslike
Mortal Shell II turns Cold Symmetry's grim action RPG into a more confident adventure, with faster combat, expressive Shell builds, and an atmosphere that still feels thoroughly its own.
Mortal Shell II arrives as a standalone sequel that understands what made the original memorable without treating its rough edges as sacred. The world remains a bleak fantasy of ruined faith, hostile creatures, and borrowed bodies, but the sequel gives the journey more momentum. Critics consistently point to tighter attacks, dodges, and parries, while the expanded Shell roster gives experimentation a clearer purpose. It is still a demanding action RPG, yet its difficulty is less interested in shutting the door on curious players.
The central idea is still possession. Fallen warriors become Shells that change how the Harbinger fights, survives, and builds a character. That idea now sits inside a faster combat rhythm, where a committed strike, a well-timed parry, or a clean dodge feels more deliberate than in the first game. The result is a combat system that rewards patience but no longer confuses stiffness with weight. The open world also gives the sequel room to breathe. Interconnected paths, optional dungeons, hidden mini-bosses, and challenges create reasons to leave the safest route. The eight Shells support distinct approaches, so exploration is not only a search for the next story beat. It is also a way to find a body and toolkit that suits your preferred risk level. Reviewers praise the atmosphere, grotesque creature design, and heavy sound work, while noting that bugs and occasional unevenness can interrupt the otherwise polished presentation. Those rough spots matter, especially when a precise action RPG asks for trust, but they do not erase the sequel's stronger foundations.
Mortal Shell II is a substantial step forward for Cold Symmetry. It keeps the series' morbid identity, then adds the speed, build variety, and world design needed to make that identity easier to inhabit. A few technical problems and a gentler default challenge stop it short of perfection, but the sequel is now a strong recommendation for soulslike players who want atmosphere and experimentation as much as punishment.
Pros
- Distinct Shell builds
- Excellent dark fantasy atmosphere
- Tight, faster combat
Cons
- Some persistent bugs
- Default difficulty is less punishing