Mortal Shell 2 Reviews Prove It Is One of the Year's Best Soulslikes
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Mortal Shell 2 is earning high praise from critics as a massive upgrade over its predecessor, trading slow combat for faster action and inventive dungeons.
While 2026 has delivered plenty of heavy hitters, the Soulslike genre has stayed relatively quiet outside of Nioh 3. That dynamic is shifting now that reviews for Mortal Shell 2 have arrived, showing that developer Cold Symmetry has built a major upgrade over the 2021 original. Sitting comfortably in the mid-80s on Metacritic and OpenCritic, the sequel is winning over critics by leaning into faster combat, smarter character builds, and a much more approachable rhythm.
Major design shifts are driving the positive reception, particularly the removal of stamina management and a dramatic speed boost that leaves the slow pace of the first game far behind. Reviewers from Polygon and other major outlets have praised the addition of distinct shells with meaningful active and passive abilities, alongside free respecs that encourage experimenting with different combat styles. The world design has also leveled up, featuring inventive, Zelda-like dungeons that offer striking visual variety and rewarding exploration.
Of course, critics still pointed out a few rough edges, including occasional camera bugs and visibility issues during intense encounters. Even with those minor hiccups, the overall consensus paints the game as a stellar addition to the genre for players looking for a fresh challenge. It is shaping up to be an essential pickup for anyone wanting a high-stakes adventure across console and PC.
For more details on the critical reception, you can read the full coverage over at Polygon.
Tags: Soulslike, Action RPG, PC Gaming, Console Gaming
Original article: Polygon