Mortal Shell II Wiki
Mortal Shell II is a standalone soulslike sequel from Cold Symmetry, published by Playstack. It launches worldwide on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 20, 2026 -- two days after fellow dark-fantasy release The Sinking City 2, in a late-August window that's otherwise relatively clear of major competition (Lords of the Fallen 2 has been delayed to 2027, and FromSoftware's The Duskbloods still has no release date).
The Premise: You Are Not a Person
You play the Harbinger, a bare and fragile being who survives by climbing into the corpses of fallen warriors and wearing them as "Shells." Cold Symmetry describes it directly: the dormant forms of forgotten warriors are scattered throughout a shattered world, and once discovered, each Shell can be awakened and possessed, unlocking its innate strengths and unique abilities.
A Genuinely Expanded Roster -- With an Honest Note on the Exact Count
The official Devout Edition skin set and Mortal Shell II's own site confirm 8 total playable Shells -- a real jump from the original's 4. As of this writing, only 4 have actual public names and details: Harros (a tutorial-only Shell that cannot be equipped past the prologue), Tiel the Acolyte (an agile, rogue-like assassin), Eredrim the Venerable (the returning heavily-armored knight from the original, now with improved agility), and Proxima the Broodseeker (a new horned knight built around a hook-armed pull-and-strike playstyle). The remaining 4 Shells haven't been revealed -- be skeptical of any source claiming a full eight-name roster this early.
Combat: No More Stamina Bar
The biggest mechanical departure from the original: combat is no longer restricted by stamina. This lets players chain attacks and combos more freely, shifting fights toward a faster, more adrenaline-charged rhythm than the original's more deliberate pacing. Melee and ranged weapons both return with extensive upgrade options, alongside the series' signature posture-break-into-critical-strike system.
A Compact But Interconnected Open World
Unlike a sprawling open world, Mortal Shell II is described as "expansive yet deliberately compact" -- designed to unfold its twisted landscapes and hidden structures while respecting the player's time, connected by winding footpaths through derelict temples, forbidden forests, icy graves, and bone-carved citadels.
Editions
Standard Edition is $49.99. The Devout Edition ($59.99) adds up to 72 hours of early access (from August 17) and an exclusive Obsidian skin set covering all 8 playable Shells -- cosmetic only, not a power advantage. A PlayStation 5-exclusive physical Revered Edition (around $69.99) includes a SteelBook case, an art book, fine art prints, and two pre-order bonus skins (Obsidian and Skeletal Harbinger).
The Open Beta
A free, still-live Open Beta launched June 5, 2026 on Steam, covering the prologue and an early open-world stretch with 2 playable Shells (Harros and Tiel). It drew more than 500,000 players -- a genuinely large turnout that's fueled real anticipation the game could be 2026's standout soulslike release.