Is Mortal Shell II worth it?
Mortal Shell II is out now — August 20, 2026 — on PC, PS5 and Xbox at $49.99 ($59.99 for the Devout Edition). The short version: yes for most, but the launch-day conversation is more split than the scores suggest. Here's the honest, source-checked call.
The launch-day verdict
Across reviews, Mortal Shell II lands as a clear success that doesn't rewrite the genre. The consensus you'll actually bump into — from IGN's 8/10 to Metro calling it "the closest thing the Soulslike genre has to an accessible entry point" — is that it's a fast, sharply-animated soulslike that does the fundamentals brilliantly but doesn't raise the bar the way the big 2026 hitters did.
The short answer
If you want a tight, gorgeous soulslike that respects your time and is welcoming to newcomers, $49.99 is fair at launch. If you're a genre veteran looking for something that pushes the envelope, or you're broke going into an expensive release season, the smart play is waiting for the first sale — it won't take long.
What reviewers agree on
- The combat is the best part. Reviews from IGN (8/10) and DualShockers ("a massive improvement over the original") single out the fast, dynamic combat and the "tactical Shell system" as the reason to be here.
- It's the friendliest soulslike in years. Metro's headline is "the perfect Soulslike for beginners" — the difficulty is tuned to give newcomers a way in without hand-holding.
- It's a big step up from Mortal Shell (2020). The original was divisive for its deliberate, stiff pacing; the sequel tightens everything, and the Reddit reaction thread on r/Games is noticeably warmer than the first game's ever was.
Where the "worth it" argument gets real
The launch-day Reddit discourse isn't one-sided — and that's exactly what a buyer should weigh. The main complaints that keep showing up:
- Difficulty scaling. The most-upvoted skeptical thread on r/soulslikes ("Is Mortal Shell 2 hype really justified?", a day old) argues the difficulty feels good early but "scaling is not good" later — a real caveat if you're buying for the challenge.
- Division over "accessibility." What Metro celebrates as an entry point, some veterans read as the game being too simple. Your enjoyment hinges on which camp you're in.
- The price gap. At $49.99, it's above the usual indie soulslike price point, sitting closer to a full-priced game. The Devout Edition at $59.99 buys 72 hours of early access plus skins — convenience and cosmetics, not more game.
So, for you specifically
- Buy now if: you're newer to soulslikes and want a gorgeous, compact on-ramp; or you loved the 2020 original and want the same idea, faster and bigger.
- Wait for a sale if: you've played every big soulslike this year and want something that changes the formula; or $49.99 is more than you want to spend this week.
- Skip the Devout Edition unless: you really want to start 72 hours early and don't mind paying $10 for skins. There's no extra campaign or content in it.
Steam price as of Aug 20, 2026, no discount at launch. Devout Edition $59.99 (72-hour early access + two Harbinger skins). It's single-player with full controller support; English full audio, with 17 subtitle languages including Simplified Chinese.
Watch before you buy
Official launch trailer: Mortal Shell II — Official Release Trailer. Read the full release guide on our main Mortal Shell II page.