Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition

 PlayStation 5
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 76
  3. Negative: 20 out of 76
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  1. PaleNielsen
    Mar 25, 2022
    7
    The ability to turn to stone is quite unique and its like a parry or something and quite satisfying to do. the game is not bad but not that good either. story is quite forgettable but you play this kind of game not because of the story but the gameplay. I like this game because of the combat. Some weapons are quite hard to use. It's an okay game probably not at full price.
  2. doodlerman
    Jan 12, 2022
    7
    Once it clicks, Mortal Shell has some of the best combat and atmosphere of the best 3D soulslikes out there. The hardening mechanic is awesome. Unfortunately, the level design, while appropriate for the atmosphere, is confusing as hell. I was two-thirds through the game before I ever found the game's hub, from which you learn of what your quest is supposed to be. I found the weird lady,Once it clicks, Mortal Shell has some of the best combat and atmosphere of the best 3D soulslikes out there. The hardening mechanic is awesome. Unfortunately, the level design, while appropriate for the atmosphere, is confusing as hell. I was two-thirds through the game before I ever found the game's hub, from which you learn of what your quest is supposed to be. I found the weird lady, "Sester" something, and she acted like she already knew me, so I just assumed the game was taking Dark Souls' under-the-surface method of storytelling to a new level, but nope. When I found Fallgrim Tower two-thirds in, the game acted as though we never met and I then learned why I had been ripping organs from two of the three big bosses: to help some giant naked bird 'ascend.' Very vague, but whatever. Also at Fallgrim Tower is a tool that allows you to parry; a tool, which in other words, makes the game a joke. Up until then, I was sort of digging Mortal Shell's seemingly meticulous combat style, but once I finally found the parrying skill, the game became almost too easy.

    One of Mortal Shell's more unique aspects is its approach to consumable items. Essentially, you have no idea what each item does until you actually use it. The more you use items, the more 'familiar' you get with them, and when you max out your familiarity the items gain new abilities. The most notable of which is making mushrooms that initially poison you into making you immune to poison. It's a neat mechanic, but it can be nerve-wracking, especially when you find a rare consumable and you have no clue when you should use it.

    While I ultimately enjoyed Mortal Shell, there were a few annoying glitches. At one point, for some reason, my character just stopped being able to dodge-roll. I fixed this by quitting the game and restarting it, so it wasn't a huge deal. For some reason when I was battling the final boss, the screen started flickering like wild if I looked in a certain direction. Fortunately, this stopped after dying, but it was really annoying.    … Expand
  3. Mroczny
    Jul 4, 2021
    6
    Mortal Shell feels like a mixed bag of good, bad and unpolished stuff. I've liked the combat system - it has some nice ideas, like replacing blocking with "hardening" that makes you invulnerable for a short while. Graphic design seems quite original, reminding of "Beksinski" paintings, but it also makes the game feel a bit empty. Instead of levelling up or collecting gear, in this game youMortal Shell feels like a mixed bag of good, bad and unpolished stuff. I've liked the combat system - it has some nice ideas, like replacing blocking with "hardening" that makes you invulnerable for a short while. Graphic design seems quite original, reminding of "Beksinski" paintings, but it also makes the game feel a bit empty. Instead of levelling up or collecting gear, in this game you have "shells". Shells are departed bodies of people that you can find, inhabit and control. But don't be fooled - it is still a soulslike game. You can upgrade weapons and shells with collected resources on similar rules that are in all soulslike games.

    Game has some really cool moments, few nice bosses, but overall the downsides are just too much:

    - areas and opponents seem to be recycled a lot
    - shells do not have enough upgrades, only few of them are actually useful
    - not enough of difference between shells
    - after upgrading one shell with most interesting upgrades there doesn't seem to be a point in killing anything. You can just run past enemies (except bosses)
    - I had a feeling that weapon system was limiting me a lot. After upgrading damage in one weapon, switching to another would be punishing myself due to much lower damage (and damage upgrades are a rare thing)
    - most of items seems useless. The only one I've really used was a healing mushroom...
    - no magic at all...
    - exploration doesn't seem to be rewarding
    - extremely limited ranged combat options

    So what is wrong with this game? It seems like it has a plenty of unpolished things and systems, lacks proper rewarding and content. I can't admit it is not fun at times, but Sekiro/Souls/Nioh/Bloodborne just have much more better game design than Mortal Shell.

    PS5 version is quite nice. Works great and looks good. It is great that devs decided to bring their game to PS5. I hope that experience they have gathered by doing Mortal Shell will let them create a much better soulslike games in the future.    … Expand
  4. mitsarakos
    Oct 27, 2022
    7
    It's a good game, but too short. It should last 50 hours more, at least. But ok for 30 euros that I paid, I think there should not be a complain
  5. Sussybakaballz
    Dec 21, 2021
    6
    Press ○+R2 to beat the whole game. Not sure what else to say just hitting min char.
  6. Balzari
    Feb 24, 2022
    7
    Visuals: 7 - Audio: 7 - Fun: 6 - Longevity: 7 - Engagement: 6 - Overall Score: 7
    'Mortal Shell' is so heavily influenced by the 'Dark Souls' games it's almost a homage.
    'Mortal Shell' can best be described as a simplified 'Dark Souls' however it does have it's own unique selling point in the 'shell system' which is quite interesting and gives it its own identity. 'Mortal Shell' does a    Visuals: 7 - Audio: 7 - Fun: 6 - Longevity: 7 - Engagement: 6 - Overall Score: 7
    'Mortal Shell' is so heavily influenced by the 'Dark Souls' games it's almost a homage.
    'Mortal Shell' can best be described as a simplified 'Dark Souls' however it does have it's own unique selling point in the 'shell system' which is quite interesting and gives it its own identity.
    'Mortal Shell' does a good job of capturing the 'Dark Souls' games sense of dread and hopelessness unfortunately it's just not very fun or exciting.
    Where the 'Dark Souls' games would have you eagerly coming back for more misery and punishment I kind of had to force myself to complete 'Mortal Shell', which took me about 24 hours and once completed I didn't feel like doing it again on NG+.
    Ultimately 'Mortal Shell' is an average game in all aspects that I can only recommend if you have a really strong urge to play a 'Dark Souls' type game.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2021
54
#54 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Worth Playing
    Aug 31, 2021
    80
    Overall, Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition succeeds on several levels. It's an excellent update to a surprise indie hit that is still mighty enjoyable for anyone interested in the Soulslike genre. While difficulty and pacing get in the way, Mortal Shell is a short, sweet, and most importantly, challenging game to tide you over to the next main Souls offering.
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  2. Pure Playstation
    Apr 27, 2021
    80
    Mortal Shell Enhanced Edition might be a little light on next-gen upgrades, but the ones that matter are there and they are game-changing. 60FPS is the main attraction but a nice 4K is welcome, too. For returning fans, it’s a nice free update. For newcomers looking to get punished, it’s a cheap and, well, not cheerful game, but it is its own brand of fun – if you can call it that.
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  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Apr 6, 2021
    60
    Thanks to an increased, stabilised framerate, and clever use of the DualSense, PS5 offers the definitive version of Mortal Shell. Just remember it’s no Demon’s Souls. [Issue#187, p.84]
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