Mortal Shell II Gets First Reviews—New Title Is Praised by Gaming Media

Mortal Shell II, the sequel to the original Cold Symmetry game from 2020, launches this week on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. The first press reviews are already rolling in, and early impressions suggest the developers have delivered a genuinely worthy sequel.

Mortal Shell II currently sits at 84 on Metacritic (based on 35 critic reviews) and holds an 85 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic, with 92% of critics recommending the game. Reviewers claim the developers have built a genuinely well-crafted, expansive open world - something entirely absent from the original. The combat feels noticeably fresher and more dynamic, and both the improved progression system and atmosphere have also drawn praise. Mortal Shell II is generally described as an improvement over the original in nearly every way; on the downside, though, reviewers point to some camera issues, technical bugs, a bit of monotony in the dungeons, and boss AI that could use some work. You can check out some of the reviews below:

Hardcore Gamer – 90/100:

Any fan of the Souls-like genre needs to experience Mortal Shell II. The difference from the first game to the second is substantial, offering a visual experience that’s beautiful and well-optimized. It showcases what Unreal Engine 5 can do and provides a world of both dark morbidity and beautiful greenery.

Game Rant – 90/100:

For fans of the original, Mortal Shell 2 is the sequel they were hoping for. Players who were put off by the first game’s rougher execution may find this new iteration is more than enough to change their opinions about the franchise. And gamers who are just looking for a great Soulslike to jump into will be satisfied by what they find. More importantly, it doesn’t feel like Cold Symmetry simply made a bigger Mortal Shell or plopped the same gameplay experience into a new environment. The studio figured out what worked, fixed much of what didn’t, and built a banger around those ideas.

Windows Central – 90/100:

Mortal Shell 2 is a full reinvention of the middling original, turning it into a refined and distinctive Soulslike centered on the use of its unique Shell mechanic with abilities that mix freely with a respectable weapon roster. World design sees a major leap forward, offering expansive, interconnected areas that reward exploration far more cleanly than the first game’s confusing layout. The story remains cryptic yet more approachable than most in the genre, while strong Unreal Engine 5 performance and satisfying combat complete a package that feels unique rather than derivative. A Soulslike with true franchise potential.

CGMagazine – 85/100:

Mortal Shell II has, in the last few weeks, become one of my favourite souls-likes, with great kinetic gameplay, a great soundscape and gorgeous visuals that really sell the despair that Cold Symmetry set up to sell.

GamesRadar+ - 80/100:

Mortal Shell 2 is the most pleasant gaming surprise of the year. A more ambitious, accessible sequel that speeds things up and stuffs secrets and ideas in every corner of its beautiful open world. It doesn’t challenge the almighty Elden Ring’s throne – what does? – but it’s a terrific tribute act with plenty of its own merits, and the best Soulslike I've played since FromSoftware's latest.

IGN – 80/100:

Mortal Shell 2’s expansion into a large scale action-RPG is a largely successful one. It struggles with some technical bits and doesn’t completely fix some of the first game’s nagging problems, like how confusing it can be to navigate its beautifully nightmarish world or how you can outpace the endgame’s challenges without much effort. But all of its new ideas are great ones, especially the new options like active shell abilities. Its more open world is seductive in how it can have you willingly jumping down rabbit hole after rabbit hole. Its expanded combat adds personality to the colorful cast of warriors whose bodies you’ll borrow and abilities you’ll steal. And it's all dipped in a remarkable dark fantasy setting, filled with some of the most striking monsters and memorable imagery in the genre.

• DayOne – 9/10
• Gameliner – 9/10
• GiantBomb – 9/10
• ComicBook – 9/10
• Shacknews – 9/10
• GamingBolt – 9/10
• Screen Rant – 9/10
• SteamDeckHQ – 9/10
• Dualshockers – 8.5/10
• JeuxVideo – 8/10
• Gamespot – 8/10
• Nexus Hub – 8/10
• PCGamesN – 7/10

Mortal Shell II is an upcoming action RPG with soulslike elements from Cold Symmetry. The studio confirmed last month the game releases August 20 on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5. Devotee Edition owners already have access, three days ahead of the official launch.