Mortal Shell, the newest Soulsborne–style RPG, launched earlier this week. The game takes obvious influence from the products of FromSoftware and compacts them into a bite-sized experience. While the similarities are sure to spawn the “love-letter” critique we’ve come to know, the game has nonetheless been received exceptionally well.
The gruesome title arrived on Tuesday for PS4, Xbox One, and PC gamers. Though, Mortal Shell will be an Epic Games Store timed-exclusive for 2020. Steam users will obtain access to the Souls-inspired title sometime in 2021. Furthermore, the game will be priced at 29.99 across all platforms.
Positive Impressions for Mortal Shell
The game, though similar to many FromSoftware copycats, does possess a level of uniqueness. One of the most significant aspects noted by reviewers is that the game’s playtime. Estimated to take players roughly fifteen hours or so, Mortal Shell provides players the chance to get-in and get-out quickly.
One of the biggest criticisms of modern RPGs, and video games in general, is the massive playtimes that are now commonplace across the genre. Mortal Shell takes this complaint and flips it – giving players a brief-ish experience to enjoy before tackling larger titles.
Gameplay
Rather than sticking with one character and molding them throughout the game, Mortal Shell has players hopping back and forth between different “shells”. Leif Johnson of IGN details that players begin as a weak “wraith-like creature” that can barely withstand a single attack. Survival is only possible through filling empty, more powerful, vessels.
As is the case with most Souls-inspired games, players must learn from their mistakes to succeed. It’s a dark adventure and players will be pushed to their limits at times. Regardless, the unique body-swapping mechanic has impressed critics enough to score the game highly.
IGN gave Mortal Shell an 8. So did GameSpot. Hopefully, for you, these review scores end up making sense.
