Mortal Shell 2 Earns Strong Reviews as 2026’s Standout Soulslike

Published 17 August 2026

After a relatively quiet start to 2026 for Soulslike games, Mortal Shell 2 has emerged as serious competition for Nioh 3, which had held the genre spotlight since its early-February launch. Early reviews describe the sequel as a substantial improvement on 2021’s Mortal Shell.

At the time of writing, the game sits at 84 on Metacritic and 85 on OpenCritic. Those averages may shift as more reviews arrive, but they already represent a clear rise over the original game’s score of 76 on both aggregators.

A more flexible approach to character builds

One of the sequel’s biggest changes is the way its character shells shape play. Reviews highlight a stronger sense of identity between archetypes, rather than simply giving players variations on the same character with different health totals.

Shells now feature additional passive powers and active abilities that have a more meaningful effect during fights. Players can also reclaim points spent upgrading individual shells and redistribute them without charge, making it easier to experiment with different combat approaches.

That flexibility was singled out in an 8/10 review, which found switching between shells more rewarding because players can test new tactics without permanently committing their upgrade resources.

Exploration gives the sequel a stronger identity

Exploration is another area where critics found considerable promise. Although some stretches of the wider world were described as plain, the game’s major dungeons received much warmer praise.

These Zelda-style temples are distributed throughout the world, with each one built around a distinct visual theme and set of challenges. Reviewers pointed to environments including an icy cavern, a burning crypt and a warped obsidian tower. Searching through them can uncover lore and weapon improvements, giving players a reason to investigate beyond the main route.

The combat pace has also been accelerated. Compared with the deliberately heavy movement of the first Mortal Shell, the sequel allows players to dodge, attack and sprint without stamina management. One four-star review called it the strongest Soulslike its reviewer had played since Elden Ring, while noting that the faster rhythm makes the follow-up considerably more approachable.

That shift may divide genre purists, but it gives Mortal Shell 2 a distinct, more mobile style rather than repeating the original’s slower formula.

Reviews praise the upgrade, with some reservations

The critical response is not without qualifications. Reviews mention camera problems, visibility concerns and boss encounters whose attacks can be too easy to anticipate. Even so, those issues have not produced outright negative verdicts in the coverage available so far.

Most scores are clustered around 8/10, with several stronger assessments from outlets including Giant Bomb, Game Rant and Hardcore Gamer. Taken together, the reviews position Mortal Shell 2 as one of the year’s leading Soulslikes so far.

Why it matters to arcade and action-RPG fans

Its emphasis on readable combat choices, distinct builds and memorable dungeon spaces could appeal to players who enjoy action games with a strong mechanical focus. For more gaming and industry coverage, explore RETROCADE’s Arcade Blog and Arcade Videos.

Those considering a dedicated home gaming setup can also browse arcade machines or compare options in the Arcade Machine Buying Guide.

The verdict so far

Mortal Shell 2 appears to deliver the sequel its predecessor needed: more expressive character builds, faster combat and more compelling exploration. Its technical and design shortcomings remain worth noting, but the overall review picture is notably positive.

For Australian players looking for a highly regarded Soulslike in 2026, it is currently one of the clearest recommendations in the genre.