Mortal Shell 2, the anticipated follow-up to the 2020 action RPG, is deconstructing Soulslike mechanics with a new Seal system, according to impressions from a recent beta. The game maintains its grim medieval/gothic-esque world and weighty combat, but boldly reimagines established genre tropes.
In a crowded field of Soulslikes, Mortal Shell has always sought to differentiate itself by transforming familiar mechanics. Where the first game felt like an ambitious but sometimes unpolished attempt to innovate, Mortal Shell 2 presents a more confident and refined vision. The beta, which launched alongside a trailer during Summer Game Fest, offered nearly six hours of gameplay, revealing that almost every mechanic from the original has been evolved.
The core 'hardening' ability, which allows players to briefly petrify themselves to absorb enemy attacks, remains but is now tied to equippable Seals. This change is central to the game's expanded build variety. Players can choose Seals that offer specific gameplay alterations, such as tighter parry windows, the ability to break enemy posture from a distance, or even the option to block attacks, a mechanic not traditionally present in Mortal Shell.
This flexibility stands in contrast to the original game's rigid 'Shell' archetypes, which featured predetermined stats that could only be upgraded. The sequel maintains this system, indicating the developers consider it integral to Mortal Shell's identity, while the Seals provide a way to customize playstyle within these defined character roles.
Despite the innovations, the beta is still a work in progress. Some technical issues, like small subtitle text and unclear menu highlights, have carried over from the original. More significant concerns include instances of players getting stuck on terrain or bosses becoming unresponsive, requiring restarts. The game can also feel aggressive in its pacing, with boss encounters sometimes beginning immediately after an introduction, and players occasionally being hit during extended attack animations.
While a release date has not yet been announced, fans of Soulslike titles will want to keep an eye on Mortal Shell 2. The game's willingness to remix and reinvent established genre conventions, particularly through its Seal system, suggests a promising evolution for the series.