Mortal Shell 2 Review: Roundup, Scores & Verdict

Mortal Shell 2 is receiving generally positive reviews for its expanded world, fluid combat, and deep character-building systems, though critics agree it has rough edges. IGN calls the sequel’s expansion into a large-scale action-RPG “mostly a successful one,” while SteamDeckHQ rates it highly for content but lower for build stability. Across sources, the most common praise is aimed at the build variety and atmosphere, while the most common complaints are bugs, balance issues, and uneven enemy variety.

What Are the Major Review Sources?

The collected material includes full reviews from IGN and SteamDeckHQ, plus detailed impressions from several YouTube creators. IGN’s review focuses on the PC version and compares the sequel directly to the original, noting improvements to Shell abilities, weapon variety, and world design. SteamDeckHQ also covers the PC version but adds performance analysis on Steam Deck, giving the game a Build Score of three out of five stars and a Content Score of four and a half out of five stars.

Source	Platform	Key Score / Verdict
IGN	PC	Mostly successful expansion, no numeric score listed
SteamDeckHQ	PC / Steam Deck	Build Score 3/5, Content Score 4.5/5
Austin / Skill Up	PC	Recommended despite caveats
YouTube reviewers	PC / Consoles	Generally positive, 30-35 hour campaign

Some YouTube creators go further, calling Mortal Shell 2 one of the best soulslikes they have played recently, while others note that it is easier than its peers and suffers from noticeable bugs. The overall picture is of a strong sequel that does not fully smooth out every issue.

What Are the Main Strengths?

Combat and Build Variety

IGN highlights that the most important improvement over the first game is the active abilities added to each Shell. Tiel can turn invisible and perform a shadow backstab, while Eredrim has a shoulder charge and a wide blast for groups. Shell points can be refunded and reallocated for free, making it easy to experiment. Reviewers also praise the removal of the stamina bar and the addition of Resolve, a resource gained by melee attacks that fuels sidearms and abilities.

Weapon variety is another major win. Mortal Shell 2 has eight primary melee weapons and eight sidearms, all usable by any Shell. Each weapon has its own light and heavy combos, and Tarstones add elemental infusions, passive buffs, and new active abilities. Austin’s review compares the buildcraft favorably to Remnant 2, noting that the combination of shells, weapons, and Tarstones creates many distinct playstyles.

World Design and Atmosphere

Both IGN and SteamDeckHQ praise the game’s world. IGN describes Fallgrim as a dense, dangerous reimagining with a dizzying number of paths, mini-dungeons, and beacon cleansing challenges. Austin calls the open world fragmented but still impressive for a team of around 30 people, and one YouTube reviewer says it is the best world design they have experienced in a soulslike since Elden Ring.

The atmosphere is consistently highlighted as a strong point. The dark fantasy setting, grotesque enemy designs, and lighting create a memorable world. SteamDeckHQ describes the story as easier to follow than most soulslikes, and the creepy atmosphere as a highlight of the experience.

Accessibility and Difficulty Options

Several reviewers note that Mortal Shell 2 is more accessible than many soulslikes. The generous parry window, removal of stamina, and powerful buildcraft make the game easier to learn. The Slayer Seal can lower the difficulty further for struggling players, while the Gloombound Flame triggers Night Mode for those who want a harder challenge. Austin calls it one of the most accessible soulslikes available.

What Are the Main Criticisms?

Bugs and Technical Issues

Bugs are mentioned across multiple reviews. IGN notes “weird technical things” and balance issues toward the end of the campaign. One YouTube reviewer reports close to a dozen bugs during a single playthrough, including button unmapping, controller input loss, crashes, and a portal that loaded a gray screen requiring a force close. Austin mentions occasional micro-stutter and muddy internal lighting typical of Unreal Engine 5.

SteamDeckHQ also points out camera problems, with the camera zooming in too close during corner fights and causing deaths. These issues are not described as game-breaking, but they are common enough that reviewers warn players to expect some rough edges at launch.

Balance and Boss Difficulty

Balance is another frequent complaint. IGN warns that late-game bosses can feel underpowered because the player can outscale them through grinding and Shell respecs. Austin says he defeated most major bosses in one or two attempts and found them disappointingly trivial. One YouTube reviewer made a “super cheesy” ranged build that one-shot most enemies and first-tried nearly every boss.

At the same time, some YouTube reviewers praise the late-game boss designs, so opinions on difficulty are mixed. The general consensus is that the non-boss combat feels appropriately challenging, while the bosses can be too easy for experienced players once buildcraft is exploited.

Enemy Variety and Late-Game Pacing

Enemy variety is described as uneven. One YouTube reviewer says the first area has good variety, but the middle stretch of the game reuses the same enemies with different armor or colors for roughly five to ten hours. IGN also feels the game loses some luster as it progresses, with the first ten hours being the strongest part of the campaign.

Navigation can also be confusing. IGN notes that the world looks samey until you have spent significant time in it, and the map lacks a robust pinning or note system for tracking points of interest. This is less of a problem once landmarks become familiar, but it can be frustrating early on.

How Is the Steam Deck Version?

SteamDeckHQ reports that Mortal Shell 2 is surprisingly playable on Steam Deck. The default settings lock the game at 30 FPS and keep it there during combat, with only occasional stutter in crowded areas. Battery life is estimated at around three hours with the default setup.

The visuals take a hit on Steam Deck. Global Illumination sits on Low, making some areas brighter than intended, and the fog can look pixelated if players force Medium settings. The UI may also be slightly cut off at the bottom in some builds. SteamDeckHQ concludes that the Steam Deck version is playable and stable, but not the ideal way to experience the game if you have access to a PC.

How Long Is the Campaign?

Reviewers report a campaign length of roughly 25 to 35 hours, depending on how much optional content you complete. IGN estimates the main quest at 25-30 hours, while YouTube reviewers report 30-31 hours for a fairly thorough run and up to 35 hours for doing almost everything. This makes it a longer game than the original Mortal Shell, but still shorter than many open-world action-RPGs.

Watch: Mortal Shell 2 Video Reviews

If you prefer video reviews over text, both reviews below cover the same ground as this roundup. Austin’s review focuses on the game’s accessibility and buildcraft for players on the fence, while the second goes deeper into the campaign length, boss difficulty, and late-game balance issues noted in the criticisms section above.

Should You Buy Mortal Shell 2?

Mortal Shell 2 is a strong pick for fans of soulslikes who want a more accessible entry point or a game with deep buildcraft. The combat is weighty, the world is atmospheric, and the Shell system gives players many ways to customize their playstyle. However, if you expect a polished, perfectly balanced experience or challenging bosses throughout, the rough edges and difficulty dips may frustrate you.

If you are new to the genre, Austin’s review suggests this is one of the best starting points available. If you are a veteran looking for tough, meticulously designed boss fights, the easier boss difficulty and build imbalance may be disappointing. Waiting for patches is a reasonable choice for players sensitive to bugs, but the core experience is already enjoyable based on the collected reviews.