Key Highlights:
- Mortal shell 2 is available now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S following its worldwide launch on 20th August.
- The sequel introduces eight playable Shells, Stamina free combat and a compact interconnected open world containing more then 80 dungeons.
- Cold Symmetry has already confirmed further balancing and feature updates following launch.
Mortal Shell II has officially launched, bringing Cold Symmetry’s dark fantasy Soulslike sequel to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Released worldwide on 20 August 2026 and published by Playstack, the follow-up significantly expands the ideas introduced in the original Mortal Shell, with faster combat, greater freedom to explore and a much larger world built around its returning possession mechanic.
The Shell system remains central to the sequel, but players can now discover and possess eight fallen warriors scattered throughout the world.
Each Shell offers its own abilities and combat options, allowing players to build different approaches rather than relying on one fixed character class. Exploring each warrior’s lost memories also reveals more of their individual stories.
Combat has undergone an equally significant change.
Mortal Shell II removes the traditional stamina gauge entirely, allowing players to attack, dodge and manoeuvre without constantly managing a stamina bar. Players can instead focus on breaking enemy posture, landing critical attacks and combining melee weapons with ranged sidearms.
Weapons can also be developed through deeper upgrade systems, giving players more room to shape their preferred fighting style.
As someone who has been waiting for another Soulslike to properly fill the gap left by Elden Ring and Lies of P, I think Mortal Shell II’s stamina-free combat and denser open world are the changes that give it the best chance of doing exactly that.
Cold Symmetry describes the sequel as an interconnected open world, but the studio has deliberately avoided making it sprawling simply for the sake of scale.
Instead, its regions are designed to remain relatively compact while rewarding players who leave the main route.
The journey takes the Harbinger through locations including ruined temples, forbidden forests, frozen graves and enormous structures carved from bone.
More than 80 dungeons are scattered throughout the world, offering additional challenges alongside new weapons, Shells, upgrades, curiosities and story discoveries.
The Harbinger’s wider goal involves recovering the Undermether’s stolen Ova, which are being guarded across the devastated world by powerful creatures and false gods.
The full release follows a successful testing period for the sequel.
Cold Symmetry revealed in July that the PC beta had surpassed 600,000 downloads, while Mortal Shell II content accumulated more than six million views across YouTube, Twitch and short-form video platforms.
The developer also reported a 93% positive rating for the beta at the time.
That early response gave players their first extended opportunity to test the sequel’s faster combat and open-world structure before launch.
GLN has already covered the game in more detail for those starting their journey, including the Shells, early regions and systems worth understanding in our Mortal Shell 2 beginner tips guide.
Launch does not appear to mark the end of Cold Symmetry’s work on the game.
The developer has already begun addressing balance issues and crashes following release, with a larger update also in development.
Cold Symmetry says future updates are expected to expand existing systems including Night Mode, Tarstones and other gameplay features.
Mortal Shell II is available now on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The standard edition is joined by the digital Devout Edition, which includes Obsidian skins for all eight playable Shells, while PS5 players can also purchase the physical Revered Edition with a SteelBook, art book and additional collector items.
