Steam Review: Mortal Shell

Mortal Shell artwork

Mortal Shell

Steam
Mixed· 4.2K reviews
  • Action
  • RPG
Developer
Cold Symmetry
Publisher
Playstack
Released
Aug 18, 2021
$29.99

AI Review Summary of Mortal Shell

Mortal Shell receives mixed reviews with a tendency towards criticism. It is appreciated for its unique ideas, atmosphere, and visual design but is often criticized for its sluggish combat, confusing level design, lack of guidance, and technical issues. The game is generally seen as a short and challenging experience that offers some originality but is marred by bugs, repetitive gameplay, and design choices that do not meet expectations for a Souls-like game.

Pros

  • Unique ideas like the Shell system and the Harden mechanic.
  • Atmosphere and dark fantasy art style are well executed.
  • Boss fights and enemy designs are praised for their creativity.
  • Visual fidelity and performance are generally good.
  • Some mechanics such as the retreat after boss fights and respawning mushrooms are appreciated.

Cons

  • Combat feels slow, clunky, and often unresponsive, with issues in parrying and camera control.
  • Lack of guidance, absence of a map, and no fast-travel make navigation tedious.
  • Technical issues, bugs, and crashes are common.
  • Level design is confusing and maze-like, especially in the hub area.
  • Repetitive enemy placement and limited variety reduce engagement.
  • Limited weapons and upgrade options may feel restrictive.
  • Gameplay often relies on repetitive tactics, leading to monotony.

Recommendation

> Based on the reviews, Mortal Shell is recommended only for dedicated Souls-like fans who appreciate atmospheric design and are tolerant of technical flaws and slow combat. It may be worth waiting for a sale or a patch that addresses its issues.

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