Mortal Shell
by Mikhail
Jan 23, 2023 |
1
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51
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10
rate
Genres:
RPG , ActionGraphics:
3DLabels:
Dark Fantasy , Demons , Monsters , Souls-like , Fantasy SettingPlatforms:
Publishers:
PlayStack Mortal Shell is an excellent action RPG where you play as the Foundling, a pale figure who can inhabit shells and use their abilities. Explore a world where you’ll engage dark and grotesque monsters in extremely challenging fights. Be treated to a ruined world inhabited by devotees to inscrutable gods. Play Now Similar Games Played
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Summary
As someone who lacks the patience to “get good” at Souls games, Mortal Shell is a boon. It’s an action RPG and widely referred to as a Souls-like experience, though it’s relatively less hardcore and more accessible. The setting, a dark, ruined world in the realm of fantasy, makes you feel like you’re exploring Drangleic or Yarnam, thanks to the foggy and tragic environments filled with death and despair. However, unlike the franchises it pays tribute to, Mortal Shell offers robust character customization with unique elements.
Available on all platforms, from the PC to the Nintendo Switch, should you give the game a shot? Well, before you dive into one of the shells, let’s check out what it has to offer:
Plotline
Even Mortal Shell’s story is Souls-like. Yes, we know; this description is almost always generously handed out to virtually any game that looks and feels like one. However, please hear us out: Mortal Shell follows the vague storytelling mechanics, and dark fantasy setting FromSoftware is known for.
You’ll play the role of the Foundling, a mysterious pale being that can enter the bodies of fallen warriors or, as the game calls it, shells. At the start, you’ll only gain access to Harros, the Vassal, who has a pretty basic fighting style and uses a massive two-handed sword. Thankfully, if you like to adhere to a particular playstyle, there are three others you can unlock later on: Tiel, the Acolyte, Eridrim the Venerable, and Solomon the Scholar.
The world in Mortal Shell is ruined, with grotesque beings roaming the fields and countless brigands who will attack in sight. Most of these are devotees to certain gods and are tasked with hindering your progress.
Gameplay
Like most of its Souls-like peers, Mortal Shell is an incredibly challenging game, especially if you don’t play any of FromSoftware’s creations. My first couple of hours were full of countless fruitless attempts to defeat Grisha, a miniboss with sword-like claws and long reach. Eventually, I managed to get used to its attack patterns; this became the trend for most of the monsters and boss fights that followed. I’ve played a little of Bloodborne, and most of Mortal Shell’s battles are comparably faster.
Combat is, of course, Mortal Shell’s main menu. It’s fast and frantic yet makes players strategize and think about every move. Some games let you escape and win through button-mashing, but not this one; every swing of your weapon should be deliberate, and you need to be two steps ahead of your adversary. Thankfully, you’re not always vulnerable since, apart from dodging and parrying, you can make your character enter the hardened state, which makes you immune to almost all types of attacks. Moreover, your stamina isn’t infinite; if you find yourself in a situation with a depleted bar, you won’t be able to swing your weapon.
Every shell has its distinct playstyle. Harros is newbie-friendly, focusing on basic attacks and enhancing the hardening ability. Meanwhile, Solomon is more focused on using special attacks. Eredrim is a tank and is adept at taking damage, but his stamina and attack are severely hampered. Finally, Tiel (who is my absolute favorite) is the game’s version of a rogue with high stamina, and instead of hardening like the other characters, he disappears in a wisp of smoke whenever you activate the ability. You can upgrade them using the robust skill tree that you can access on the Tower of Fallgrim, an area you’ll have access to at the start of your journey.
To strengthen your shells, you need to use Tar and Glimpses, essentially the game’s version of the currency and experience, respectively. You can upgrade them using the above-mentioned items, but it’s also important to focus on the shells to focus on. In addition, you’ll also have access to a plethora of items, like the balistazooka (trust us, it’s a real in-game item) which lets you attack from long range.
Community
Mortal Shell is a single-player game, but it could’ve made a lot of noise if it had multiplayer co-op or anything remotely similar to Dark Souls.
Graphics/Sound
I’ve played Mortal Shell on both PC and Nintendo Switch. Both versions run smoothly, although the latter version is a bit of a downgrade, given its hardware limitations. In terms of presentation and art direction, Mortal Shell is excellent. The foggy locales and enemy designs depict the ruinous, despair-filled world the developers undoubtedly wanted to show. The same can be said about the audio and voice acting; the monsters sound fierce and intimidating, while the music during battles gets you in the groove.
Conclusion
Overall, Mortal Shell lives up to the franchise it is inspired by. It’s an excellent Souls-like experience, and even if it feels challenging, it’s more of a gateway to more hardcore titles. In addition, it runs like a charm on the Nintendo Switch, making it easy to pick up and play. It’s a relatively short game (10-12 hours at most), yet it’s bursting with action and deserves a spot in your gaming library.
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