Mortal Shell 2 offers a grim and challenging experience, and newcomers or returning players aiming for 100% completion will find this guide invaluable. This walkthrough covers the entirety of the game's Prologue, offering detailed instructions for every area, collectible, weapon, boss, and questline to help players master the game's mechanics and uncover its secrets.
The game places players in the role of the Harbinger, a creature tasked by the godlike UnderMether to recover her Ova and cleanse the world of a pervasive corruption left by the "Passenger." The Harbinger can inhabit fallen mortal heroes, known as Shells, each granting distinct abilities. Players can switch between these Shells at any point, providing a dynamic approach to combat and exploration.
The Harbinger's Journey Begins
Players will begin their journey by obtaining their first Shell, Harros, in the Forlorn Village. After claiming the Shell, players are equipped with the Iconoclast sword, the Naylshotte shotgun, and the Untarnished Seal for blocking and parrying. The initial area features combat against Wretches and Brigand Soldiers, serving as an introduction to the game's combat system, including dodging, blocking, and the use of ranged weapons. Players will also discover early-game resources like Ventrium for weapon upgrades and Gloom, the primary currency for character leveling.
Key early steps include reaching the Village Outskirts Beacon, which also functions as a dungeon. Cleansing this Beacon is necessary to progress and unlocks its full capabilities as a rest point. Inside, players will encounter the Overgrown Temple, learning about enemy weaknesses and facing new enemy types like Shield Brigands and Brigand Stoners.
Facing Early Challenges
Further progression leads players to a boss encounter with the Gloombound Ritualist. This fight introduces the challenge of dealing with summoned minions while managing the Ritualist's staff attacks. Players are advised to utilize Harros's Stone Stun ability and ranged attacks strategically. After defeating the Ritualist, players will find the Disciple's Grotto Beacon. Before reaching it, an encounter with the Tainted Vestige, a miniboss known for its fast unblockable grab attack, awaits.
A significant milestone is the fight against the Tar Golem. This is a boss designed for players to lose to initially, with the cutscene after the fight showing Harros sacrificing itself to save the Harbinger. Players seeking an achievement for defeating the Tar Golem will need to manually save and reload the game. The Tar Golem's attacks are largely unblockable, necessitating precise dodging and leveraging Perfect Guards to build its Break meter.
Reaching the Marrow Keep
Following the Tar Golem encounter, players will collect their first Ovum and commune with the UnderMether. This event transports them to a new area, granting them Ruk's Map. The path then leads east towards the Marrow Keep, which serves as the player's central base for the remainder of the game. Before reaching the Keep, players can find valuable items like the Coin Of Mammon and a Devout's Chalice. Upon arrival, placing the Ovum at the entrance allows players to enter the Marrow Keep and speak with Zhirelle, the Shellkeeper, who will reveal the locations of two additional Shells.
The Prologue concludes upon resting at the Marrow Keep Beacon, marking the end of the introductory section and preparing players for the more open-world exploration that follows.