Mortal Shell 2 Launches on Steam with 81% Positive Reviews — Players Praise the Optimization (2026)
On August 20, 2026, Cold Symmetry studio, backed by publisher Playstack, released the action RPG Mortal Shell 2 — a sequel to the hardcore soulslike that immediately drew the attention of the gaming community. Within just a few hours of release, the project reached 81% positive reviews on Steam based on more than 3,800 ratings. For comparison: the first Mortal Shell holds 96% positive reviews, but it has six years of accumulated reputation behind it.
What players praise
The sequel's main strengths, according to Steam users, are the game's technical state and visuals. Players note that the project runs stably even on mid-range systems, and locations load quickly. "Gloomy. Beautiful. Optimized," summed up the author of one positive review under the nickname Joxer.
The combat system also deserves a special mention. In Mortal Shell 2, the developers abandoned the traditional stamina bar and replaced it with the Resolve mechanic, which builds up in combat and is spent on abilities and ranged weapons. This made fights more dynamic and aggressive — players can constantly keep pressure on the enemy without pausing to wait for stamina to recover.
The Shell system — inhabiting the bodies of fallen warriors — is also highly rated. The sequel offers eight shells, each with unique abilities and its own upgrade tree. Combined with a variety of weapons, Seals and passive effects, this creates a deep build system that lets you adapt your character to different situations.
World and exploration
Unlike the first part, which took place in relatively linear locations, Mortal Shell 2 offers an interconnected open world with more than 60 dungeons. Critics and players note that the world is filled with secrets and rewards — almost every detour from the main path leads to something valuable: a new weapon, a passive bonus or a hidden boss.
Visually, the game is built on Unreal Engine 5 and shows a noticeable leap in graphics quality. Gloomy temples, abandoned fortresses and swampy lowlands are crafted with great attention to detail, while enemies and bosses are made in the signature "heavy horror-fantasy" style.
What gets criticized
Despite the high overall rating, the game has noticeable drawbacks. Reviews most often mention complaints about camera behavior in enclosed spaces and during fights with large opponents. Some boss fights cause frustration due to poor angles that make it hard to judge distance and attack timings.
Players also note technical bugs — from enemy AI issues to rare cases of falling through textures. The story component receives mixed assessments: many consider the narrative dull and uninteresting compared to the gameplay. Some users complain about repeating enemies closer to the end of the game.
Prices and availability
Mortal Shell 2 is out on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. A digital deluxe Devout Edition is also available for $59.99, which includes eight obsidian shells and 72 hours of early access — owners of this edition were able to start playing as early as August 17.
On consoles, the game is priced at $49.99 for the standard edition. The physical collector's Revered Edition for PS5 includes an artbook, a steelbook and exclusive prints.
First-day results
The Mortal Shell 2 launch can be called a success. Critics gave the game 84/100 on Metacritic and 85/100 on OpenCritic, while Steam players supported the project with 81% positive reviews. The main strengths are the dynamic combat system, a well-designed world with rewards for exploration, and excellent technical optimization at launch. If Cold Symmetry promptly fixes the camera issues and minor bugs through patches, the sequel has every chance of becoming one of the best soulslike releases of 2026.
Source: 3DNews