Mortal Shell 2 reviews are pouring in, and it seems as though this sequel has managed to nail the Elden Ring-style formula that many other Soulslikes have attempted ever since. Elden Ring‘s success has a variety of features to thank for such an impressive reputation, but many players fell in love with the sheer size of the game’s world. As great as Elden Ring is, this ignited a trend where other Souslikes tried to capture that same magic, and most of them fell short. That doesn’t seem to be the case with Mortal Shell 2, though.
Crafting a great Soulslike game is no easy task. A deeply challenging game that features great combat, compelling level design, and mysterious lore is a difficult balance to achieve, but Mortal Shell 2 is proving that it has what it takes to be one of the best new Soulslikes on the block. Mortal Shell 2 still takes the “go big” approach that other recent entries in the genre have embraced, but developer Cold Symmetry is aware that a map simply can’t just be big and not have the player freedom and deep exploration to back it up.
Mortal Shell 2 Understands That Going Bigger Isn’t Enough to Make a Game Better
Large-scale maps have been all the rage in the Soulslike genre over the past few years. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s possible to stretch a map beyond its necessary limits. If a Soulslike opts for a more rigid structure where following a specific sequence is a must and certain areas have to be avoided at all costs before being approached, it can stifle player creativity and exploration.
Also, when a world becomes too large, it’s even harder to make the design feel interconnected in a truly meaningful way. Remnant 2 tried to expand what a Soulslike world could be with procedural generation, but it led to a frustrating and confusing experience at times. Lords of the Fallen‘s dual-world design was a fascinating concept that suffered from feeling overly repetitive. Games like Bloodborne that have a tighter world that is cleverly connected can ultimately feel far more rewarding than a sprawling open world. Mortal Shell 2 is definitely larger than Bloodborne and takes more notes from Elden Ring‘s design, but it has managed to find a deeply satisfying balance between that interconnectedness and a grander scale.
A Meaningfully Connected World and More Shells Give Rise to Greater Player Freedom
Mortal Shell 2‘s map isn’t the only thing that goes bigger than its predecessor. The game doubles the number of Shells that players are able to use at their disposal. Players can experiment with each Shell and switch back and forth, which allows for plenty of creative combat choices. The greater Shell and weapon variety brings forth the extra content that’s necessary to justify such a big world.
In Mortal Shell 2, players have eight melee weapons and eight ranged sidearms to choose between.
The map is shrouded in fog at the start, but players are pretty much free to roam and explore whichever corner they desire. Mortal Shell 2‘s handcrafted world keeps it from becoming repetitive, and it simply adds to the overall atmosphere. Critics have had glowing reviews when it comes to the exploration, specifically praising how each newly discovered area and dungeon leads you down a constant series of rabbit holes. Soulslikes with the best worlds make every corner feel meaningful. Larger Soulslike maps can feel more daunting than enticing, but Mortal Shell 2 manages to sidestep this problem.
Large Soulslike Worlds Like Mortal Shell 2 Should Feel Like Challenging Playgrounds
Dark and dangerous worlds are a staple Soulslike feature, but the challenge doesn’t mean that they can’t be fun. That’s what made Elden Ring‘s gameplay so great. It was a punishing world that didn’t hold players’ hands, but it also allowed players to go at their own pace and venture where they please. That was the true heart of Elden Ring‘s world, not the size.
Another huge change that Mortal Shell 2 makes from the first game is that it completely gets rid of the stamina system. Instead, Mortal Shell 2 features a posture system that makes the combat more engaging and aggressive. Even though Mortal Shell 2‘s world design shares similarities with Elden Ring, forgoing a stamina system is a huge departure.
Games that don’t offer much guidance aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s an essential piece of a strong Soulslike experience. All the best Soulslike games boast a deep sense of mystery that inspires players to jump into the challenge with a bit of reckless abandon. What makes a world design deeply frustrating or incredibly rewarding is a fine line, and that target is much harder to hit when a game’s scope is bigger than the usual genre entry.
Mortal Shell 2 Could Be One of the Year’s Biggest Surprises
There have already been plenty of great releases this year, and some of the biggest titles have yet to even launch. Games like Resident Evil Requiem and 007 First Light are frontrunners for some of 2026’s best games, but it’s going to be fascinating if Mortal Shell 2 shakes up the competition. So many developers want to create the next Elden Ring and take over the Soulslike spotlight, and Mortal Shell 2 might just have what it takes to be worthy of such a reputation.
Now that the game’s 72-hour Early Access is underway, seeing how players respond to Mortal Shell 2‘s gameplay and world design is going to be the real deciding factor in whether it’s a hit among Soulslike fans or not. After years of Soulslikes featuring huge maps with the hopes that it will be the key to success, Mortal Shell 2 understanding that the sheer size needs to be accompanied by deeper layers and player freedom is refreshing. Mortal Shell 2 might not be a perfect Soulslike experience for everyone, but it absolutely sticks the landing when it comes to freedom-loving world design.
- Released
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August 20, 2026
- Publisher(s)
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Playstack
- Franchise
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Mortal Shell
- PC Release Date
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August 20, 2026
