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Mortal Shell 2 review - the perfect Soulslike for beginners
Mortal Shell 2 offers an accessible Soulslike experience, drawing inspiration from Elden Ring with its new open world. While it lacks major innovations and its open world design is questionable, the game features an impressive shell system, a stamina-free combat mechanic, and extensive customization options. It stands as a solid third choice in the genre for players intimidated by FromSoftware's titles.
Amid accusations of a post-beta difficulty bump, Mortal Shell 2 devs patch the new soulslike to stop players riposting so hard they steal enemy weapons
Cold Symmetry has released a hotfix for Mortal Shell 2 to address player concerns about difficulty and a bug where players could steal enemy weapons. The patch also includes fixes for crashes and stability issues, with a larger balancing patch scheduled for the game's full public release on August 20th. The article also speculates on potential future game modes, including a weapon-stealing mechanic.
The Duskbloods Closed Network Test download codes are available for confirmed participants
Confirmed participants for The Duskbloods Closed Network Test can now download their codes for the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo and FromSoftware have made the game data available for pre-loading ahead of the test period. Participants can check their account status on The Duskbloods website to claim their download code.
Sony’s Oasis-Loving CEO Thinks We’re Going To Crave Human-Made Art In The Age Of AI
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki believes that while AI can enhance creativity, human-made art will remain essential and craved by consumers. He suggests that the industry must adapt to leverage AI rather than be threatened by it. This perspective contrasts with some industry figures who express concerns about AI's impact on originality and the value of human experience in art.
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition Nintendo Switch 2 “Gameplay Showcase” trailer
A "Gameplay Showcase" trailer has been released for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition on Nintendo Switch 2, ahead of its debut next week. This edition includes the base game, the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, and new customization options. Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition is set to launch for the Nintendo Switch 2 on August 28, 2026.
The Duskbloods Characters and Classes leak
Ahead of its first closed beta network test, details regarding characters and classes for FromSoftware's upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive, The Duskbloods, have reportedly leaked. The game is expected to feature a variety of distinct classes with unique names.
Elden Ring Tarnished Edition Videos Showcase Improved Performance, 30 FPS Gameplay
Videos showcase the Elden Ring Tarnished Edition running on Nintendo Switch, demonstrating improved performance at a steady 30 FPS in both handheld and docked modes. While some frame drops occur during intense combat, the port has seen significant refinement since its initial previews. The game was originally announced in 2022 for multiple platforms and received critical acclaim, with the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion releasing in 2024.
Mortal Shell 2 review: A monumental heavy metal sequel with the spirit of a '90s PC game
Mortal Shell 2 is a monumental sequel that blends modern Soulslike elements with the spirit of '90s PC games, offering a unique and humorous take on the genre. It significantly improves upon its predecessor with diverse playable 'Shells,' a more straightforward narrative, and innovative combat mechanics that forgo a stamina bar, making it highly accessible and flexible.
Mortal Shell 2 Review – A Bigger, Better Sequel, Clearly Inspired by Elden Ring
Mortal Shell 2 offers a refined Soulslike experience, drawing clear inspiration from Elden Ring's open-world design and progression systems while maintaining its own identity. The game features a more interconnected world, expanded Shell mechanics, and a satisfying combat system that blends traditional weaponry with firearms and status effects. Despite some noticeable bugs and a less impactful narrative, Mortal Shell 2 is a strong sequel that builds upon its predecessor's foundation.
Mortal Shell 2 review: "The best Soulslike I've played since Elden Ring thanks to brilliant death-dealing toys and speedy combat"
Mortal Shell 2 is a superior and more accessible sequel to the original, offering faster combat and a world dense with ideas. While it doesn't dethrone Elden Ring, it stands as a strong Soulslike with its own merits, featuring unique "mortal shells" with distinct abilities and a satisfying combat system. Despite minor issues with camera control and difficulty balance, the game is a visually impressive and fun experience available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Mortal Shell 2 review - falls short of Elden Ring's greatness
Mortal Shell 2 attempts to emulate Elden Ring's open-world success but falls short in navigation, though its combat and shell system offer a thrilling Soulslike experience. The game features interconnected areas, a dark-fantasy setting, and a unique shell mechanic where players embody fallen individuals, each with distinct backstories and skills. While the boss fights are challenging and enjoyable, and the combat offers flexibility, the open world can feel hollow and frustrating to explore, leading the reviewer to prefer Elden Ring.
Mortal Shell 2 Might Finally Give Bloodborne Fans What They Want
This article draws parallels between Bloodborne and the upcoming Mortal Shell 2, suggesting the latter may offer a similar aggressive combat experience. It highlights mechanics like Bloodborne's regen system and Mortal Shell 2's Harden and firearm usage as key elements that cater to fans seeking a challenging, offensive-minded Soulslike. The piece concludes that while not a direct sequel, Mortal Shell 2 captures the spirit of Bloodborne's combat philosophy.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses several recent gaming news items and industry reflections. It covers Brenda Romero's autofiction, The Guardian's summer game previews featuring Wrong Organ's Carcass Clad, differing opinions on Game Freak's Beast of Reincarnation, and Sean Murray's perspective on No Man's Sky's decade-long development. Additionally, it investigates sexual harassment allegations against indie horror publishers like Critical Reflex and Black Lantern Collective, and touches on the worsening wildfire situation in France.
Beast of Reincarnation is a Pokemon soulslike minus the souls, and all the better for it
Beast of Reincarnation offers a challenging action-RPG experience inspired by soulslike games but with a unique twist: players retain their inventory upon defeat, removing the typical penalty of losing currency. This approach, running on PlayStation 5, provides a more accessible yet still demanding combat system, drawing comparisons to titles like Elden Ring and Dark Souls 3, while diverging from the typical Game Freak formula seen in Pokémon games.
2023 PS5 Hidden Gem Action RPG Under $5 on PlayStation Store
Achilles: Legends Untold, an action RPG developed by Dark Point Games, is currently on sale for under $5 on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, marking an 80% discount. The game, which features combat inspired by FromSoftware's Souls-like titles, has received positive player reception despite mixed critical reviews. This limited-time deal on the PlayStation Store ends on August 27.
I love the Dark Soulful architecture of The Canon of Balls, a rolling open world game inspired by Sega, Fumito Ueda and Minecraft parkour
The Canon of Balls is a new open-world platformer inspired by Dark Souls, Super Monkey Ball, Shadow of the Colossus, and Minecraft parkour. Players control a statue's face with a tongue inside a rolling cage, navigating intricate, unforgiving environments. Developed by Helios Monk, the game aims for a unique, abrasive aesthetic and a non-modular open world, launching on PC via Steam.
Mortal Shell 2 Is Proof Open Worlds Don’t Need to Be Massive
Mortal Shell 2's open world design prioritizes a compact, interconnected experience over massive scale, aiming to respect player time and deliver a focused narrative. This approach contrasts with games like Elden Ring, with developers Cold Symmetry emphasizing deliberate exploration and unique environments. The game is set to launch on August 20th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
Memoirium Review - Restless Dreams
Memoirium is a Souls-like game that draws heavily from earlier titles in the genre, focusing on methodical combat and a dreamlike world. While it doesn't reach the heights of its inspirations, it offers a unique experience with its defensive playstyle, extensive weapon and magic options, and beautiful low-poly art. Despite some issues with progression, enemy variety, and occasional combat frustrations, Memoirium provides a compelling and memorable challenge for fans of the genre.
Mortal Shell 2 – Everything That’s Changing From the Original
Mortal Shell 2 aims to significantly expand upon its predecessor with a longer campaign, new combat mechanics, and numerous dungeons. While it offers a standalone experience, concerns from the open beta regarding camera, lighting, and accessibility are noted, though the developers are reportedly addressing some issues for a day-one patch. The game is set to release on August 20th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, featuring enhancements like DLSS and ray tracing for PC players.
Lies of P: Complete Edition Switch 2 Review
This review covers Lies of P: Complete Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2, which includes the base game and the Overture DLC. The game is praised for its Soulslike combat, gothic aesthetic, and engaging narrative, drawing comparisons to Bloodborne and Sekiro. The Nintendo Switch 2 port offers a stable 60 FPS in Performance Mode, though visual fidelity is reduced compared to other platforms.
