Soulslike
Ongoing coverage on Soulslike.
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Should you equip the Mortal Shell 2 Slayer Seal?
The Mortal Shell 2 Slayer Seal is a powerful item found in Marrow Keep that significantly decreases combat difficulty by offering buffs like Gloomslayer and Slayer Punch. However, equipping the seal permanently disables achievements, with two warnings provided before activation. Players should consider using it only if they do not care about achievements or are on a second playthrough.
How To Parry In Mortal Shell 2
This guide explains how to unlock and utilize the parry mechanic in Mortal Shell 2. Parrying is achieved by obtaining the Infinite Seal from Sester Genessa in Marrow Keep and timing button presses precisely as an enemy attack lands. Successfully parrying nullifies attacks and opens enemies up for a riposte, though unblockable attacks cannot be parried.
How long is Mortal Shell 2?
Mortal Shell 2's playtime varies significantly based on player approach, with the developer Cold Symmetry estimating an average completion time of 30-40 hours. Players exploring thoroughly or aiming for 100% completion may find the game lasts up to 60 hours. The game also features New Game Plus for extended play.
How to unlock Mortal Shell 2 fast travel
This guide explains how to unlock fast travel in Mortal Shell by cleansing beacons and returning at least four Ova to the Marrow Keep. Once unlocked, players can use Mether's Breath to instantly travel between discovered beacons or return to the Marrow Keep, though the latter consumes any Gloom currently held.
This week in PC games: survival horror in a waterlogged city, kaiju chaos in a destructible city, and old school GTA vibes in an isometric insurgency simulator
This week's PC game releases include survival horror titles like Feed it. and The Sinking City 2, a multiplayer shooter with kaiju battles called Beastlink, and an isometric insurgency simulator Brigador Killers. Other notable releases span genres from city builders and puzzle games to MMORPGs and visual novels.
Mortal Shell 2 Launch Trailer Drops, Advanced Access is Now Live
Cold Symmetry has released the launch trailer for Mortal Shell 2, which is now available for owners of the Devout Edition, with the Standard Edition launching on August 20th. The game has seen a strong debut on Steam with nearly 20,000 concurrent players. A free beta is available for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.
Coming Out in gaming this week — August 17, 2026
This week's gaming releases include FEED IT, a PSX-style horror game, and The Sinking City 2, a survival horror set in the Roaring '20s. Other notable titles are the sci-fi RTS Space Tales, the action-RPG Mortal Shell II, and the adventure/simulation puzzle game how to kill a fly. Grim Trials, a roguelike, and Steins;Gate Re:Boot, a visual novel, also launch this week.
Beloved PS5 Action RPG Under $10 on PlayStation Store
The PlayStation 5 action RPG Lords of the Fallen is available for under $10 on the PlayStation Store until August 27, 2026. Developed by Hexworks and CI Games, the game offers a challenging Soulslike experience with online co-op and extensive customization options.
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.
Recension – Beast of Reincarnation
Beast of Reincarnation, developed by Game Freak, offers a compelling action RPG experience with fast-paced combat, challenging boss fights, and an intriguing post-apocalyptic setting. While the combat system, featuring swords, crossbows, and a companion named Koo, is a highlight, the narrative and dialogue are criticized for being slow and uninspired. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X.
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.
Phantom Blade Zero pre-orders officially live at $60, and the Sekiro-esque Soulslike is getting a 20-minute State of…
Phantom Blade Zero's pre-orders are now live for PlayStation 5 and PC, with the Standard Edition priced at $59.99 and the Deluxe Edition at $69.99. The game will launch on PlayStation 5 on October 29, with a PC release following at least 12 months later. A 20-minute State of Play deep dive showcasing gameplay is scheduled for August 17, and actor Donnie Yen has served as a creative consultant and motion capture actor for the protagonist's father.
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.
Someone's head is killing me in Memoirium, a PSX-styled soulslike about battling through bizarre dreamscapes and decorating your bedroom
Memoirium is a new PlayStation-styled soulslike game that features challenging combat, bizarre dreamscapes, and a unique bedroom decoration mechanic. The game's demo is available now on Steam, with the full release scheduled for this Thursday. Combat mechanics focus on stamina management and weapon art skills, with a system for dealing 'stress' damage to enemies through timed dodges and parries.
Coming Out in gaming this week — August 10, 2026
This week's gaming releases include a variety of genres and platforms. Highlights include the roguelike pinball deckbuilder Cult of PiN, the remastered RPG The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and the action-adventure survival game Grounded 2. Other notable titles launching include the retro spy FPS Agent 64: Spies Never Die and the arcade sports game Pro Jank Footy.
Lies of P 2 Developer Admits There’s “Definitely Pressure,” But It Wants to “Do Even Better”
NOUHG Studio's narrative director Kwon Byungsoo acknowledged the pressure surrounding the development of Lies of P 2, following the success of the first game which sold over four million copies. While the team aims to improve upon the original, they are trying to maintain the same mindset and excitement from the initial development. The sequel is confirmed to be in development by NEOWIZ and will utilize Unreal Engine 5.
Subscriptions, Clouds, and Streams
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick believes advancements in low-latency cloud gaming could significantly expand the market within three years. The article also highlights a critically acclaimed Soulslike game that has become a sleeper hit on Xbox Game Pass.
Soulslike prince Lies of P added difficulty settings after its own developers struggled to beat it: "Most…
Nough Studio, the developers behind the soulslike game Lies of P, have discussed the addition of difficulty settings to the game. Initially, the developers themselves struggled to beat the game on its standard difficulty, leading them to implement easier options. This decision, though controversial in the soulslike community, was made after internal playtests revealed that many developers were unable to complete the game, and positive feedback from those who used the easier settings convinced the team of its benefit to players.
