// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Mortal Shell II say to its twin? You shell-ter me.
| Mortal Shell II | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer | Cold Symmetry |
| Publisher | Playstack |
| Directors |
|
| Writer | Ryan Schapals |
| Composers |
|
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5[2] |
| Platforms | |
| Release | August 20, 2026 |
| Genre | Action role-playing |
| Mode | Single-player |
Mortal Shell II is an action role-playing video game developed by Cold Symmetry and published by Playstack. The game was released on August 20, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. Mortal Shell II is a standalone sequel to Mortal Shell.
Set in an interconnected dark fantasy world, the game follows the Harbinger, a being tasked with reclaiming the stolen eggs of the Undermether. Players can possess the bodies, known as Shells, of eight fallen warriors, each with unique abilities and combat styles. The game received positive reviews from critics.
Gameplay
[edit]Mortal Shell II is played from a third-person perspective and features action-oriented combat. Unlike its predecessor, the game does not use a traditional stamina system, allowing players to perform attacks, dodges, and other actions without being restricted by a stamina gauge. Combat includes melee and ranged weapons, posture-breaking mechanics, critical strikes, and executions.[3]
The game features eight playable Shells scattered throughout its world. Each Shell has its own abilities and can be upgraded as players progress. Weapons can also be customized and upgraded, allowing players to develop different combat styles. The world is designed as a compact, interconnected open world containing forests, temples, citadels, and other locations. More than 60 dungeons are located throughout the game, with exploration rewarding players with additional Shells, weapons, upgrades, and story elements.[4]
Plot
[edit]The player controls the Harbinger, who travels through a ravaged world in search of the stolen eggs of the Undermether. The eggs are guarded by dangerous creatures and powerful enemies. During the journey, the Harbinger can possess the bodies of eight lost warriors and find out their memories and individual stories.
Development
[edit]Cold Symmetry announced Mortal Shell II during Summer Game Fest in June 2025. The game was developed by an expanded team and was described as a larger-scale sequel to the original Mortal Shell.[5]
An open beta was held before release. The game was released worldwide on August 20, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows. A digital deluxe edition, titled the Devout Edition, included additional Obsidian skins for the playable Shells and up to 72 hours of early access.[6]
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (PC) 83/100[7] (PS5) 84/100[8] |
| OpenCritic | 89% recommend[9][a] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Eurogamer | 4/5[10] |
| GameSpot | 8/10[11] |
| GamesRadar+ | 4/5[12] |
| Giant Bomb | 4.5/5[13] |
| Hardcore Gamer | 4.5/5[14] |
| IGN | 8/10[15] |
| PCGamesN | 7/10[16] |
| Push Square | 8/10[17] |
| Shacknews | 9/10[18] |
Mortal Shell II received "generally favourable" reviews for the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions while the Xbox Series X/S version received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[7][8] Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received strong approval, being recommended by 89% of critics.[9]
GameSpot gave the game a score of 8/10 and wrote: "Cold Symmetry's sequel improves upon its predecessor by continuing to deconstruct familiar souls-like mechanics."[11]
IGN's score for the game was 8/10 and in their summary said: "Mortal Shell 2’s expansion into a large scale action-RPG is mostly successful, and all of its new ideas are great ones."[15]
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Based on 108 reviews
References
[edit]- ↑ "Credits of the video game on Filmaffinity". Filmaffinity.
- ↑ Rutherford, Amber (August 20, 2026). "Mortal Shell II, Sequel To 2020's Soulslike Hit, Is Out Now". Unreal Engine. Retrieved August 22, 2026.
- ↑ Glover, Stuart. "Mortal Shell 2 – Everything You Need to Know". GamingBolt. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
- ↑ Rodriguez, Jason (2026-08-17). "Top 16 Things You Need To Know Before You Play Mortal Shell 2". GameSpot. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
- ↑ "Mortal Shell 2 revealed at Summer Game Fest, coming to PS5, Xbox and Steam in 2026". Eurogamer.net. 2025-06-06. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
- ↑ Clarke, Jon "Sikamikanico" (2026-07-31). "Mortal Shell 2 Beta Now Available, Carry Progress Over to the Full Game". DayOne. Retrieved 2026-08-24.
- 1 2 "Mortal Shell II for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- 1 2 "Mortal Shell II for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- 1 2 "Mortal Shell II". OpenCritic. Retrieved August 28, 2026.
- ↑ Sased, Sherif (August 21, 2026). "Mortal Shell 2 review - a Soulslike with tempo and verve". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 21, 2026.
- 1 2 Wakeling, Richard (August 17, 2026). "Mortal Shell 2 Is A Fresh And Exciting Shake Up Of The Souls-like Formula". GameSpot. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- ↑ Stone, Abbie (August 17, 2026). "Mortal Shell 2 review: "The best Soulslike I've played since Elden Ring thanks to brilliant death-dealing toys and speedy combat"". GamesRadar. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- ↑ Zimmerheld, Chuck (August 17, 2026). "Mortal Shell II Review". Giant Bomb. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- ↑ Wells, Cory (August 17, 2026). "Review: Mortal Shell II". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- 1 2 Green, Jarrett (August 17, 2026). "Mortal Shell 2 Review". IGN. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- ↑ Partleton, Kayleigh (August 17, 2026). "Mortal Shell 2 review - falls short of Elden Ring's greatness". PCGamesN. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
- ↑ Bayne, Aaron (August 18, 2026). "Mortal Shell 2 Review (PS5)". Push Square. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ Chandler, Sam (August 17, 2026). "Mortal Shell 2 review: Ascension to godhood". Shacknews. Retrieved August 17, 2026.