Mortal Shell 2 surprises with ambitious expansion and improved combat in the soulslike universe
The challenging universe of “soulslike” action RPGs gains a new chapter with the launch of Mortal Shell 2, which arrives bigger and more refined than its predecessor. The sequel, reviewed on August 17, 2026, elevates the original experience by expanding its world and significantly improving the confrontations, although it still has some technical and balancing rough edges. The journey, which can take 25 to 30 hours to complete, promises to immerse players in a dark narrative and intense combat, elements that marked the first game and have now been taken to a new level.
Return to the world of shells and mysteries
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As in the 2020 title, players control an entity capable of possessing “shells” of dead warriors, assuming their identities and abilities. This core mechanic, which allows the protagonist to take on varied forms and return to their original condition after taking a lot of damage, remains a pillar of the gameplay. In 2020, the portal Mix Vale highlighted in its analysis of Mortal Shell, written by Leif Johnson, that the game “is not as rich and complex as post-Souls games like Bloodborne or Sekiro, but it requires effort to achieve victories and learning from mistakes”. The sequel aims to maintain this essence while expanding the possibilities.
Improved diversity of warriors and tactics
The big news in Mortal Shell 2 lies in the significant increase in the number of characters that can be controlled. The number of “shells” was doubled, bringing an almost entirely new cast, full of eccentric and unique figures, such as a ferocious cannibal, an armored alien and a cultist capable of manipulating time. More than just different health bars, these new versions offer distinct active abilities that make them much more impactful in combat. Tiel, for example, can briefly disappear to deliver sneak attacks from behind, while Eredrim is able to stun enemies with a powerful dash.
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One of the most significant improvements for the player is the flexibility in progression. All points spent to upgrade a specific “shell” can be refunded and reallocated free of charge at any time. This feature allows players to experiment with different strategies without penalty, encouraging them to adapt their play style against specific opponents, such as maximizing the fire resistance of Lazlo’s armor against flaming enemies.
Vast arsenal and strategic combat
The variety of weapons also received special attention in Mortal Shell 2, with eight main melee combat options and eight long-range secondary weapons. Each of them has its own strengths and weaknesses, forcing players to carefully consider which combination to use in each confrontation. Some weapons are fast and ideal for accumulating negative effects, but do less damage, while others have excellent range, but require more time to use. The ability to switch between different types of ammunition adds an additional layer of strategy, making confrontations more dynamic and rewarding.
Persistent challenges and problems
Despite the significant improvements, Mortal Shell 2 is not without flaws. The game still presents unusual technical problems and balance issues, especially in the final stages of the adventure. Certain bosses can seem disproportionate — sometimes too weak if the player has invested heavily in the progression of a “shell”, sometimes excessively powerful in other situations. Additionally, some active skills and actions that depend on analog stick commands, such as running and automatic aiming, proved to be inaccurate. The main plot, in turn, remains somewhat confusing, although the parallel stories of the “shells” help to anchor the narrative.
What the game offers genre enthusiasts
Mortal Shell 2 represents a considerable step forward for the franchise, offering a more robust and varied “soulslike” experience. For fans of the first game, the innovations in combat and shell diversity provide a welcome improvement. For newcomers to the Mortal Shell universe, the title offers an engaging challenge with unique mechanics and a richly dark world to explore. The flaws, although present, do not diminish the brilliance of a sequel that dared to be greater and, in most aspects, managed to be better.
