Quick Facts
- Game: Mortal Shell 2
- Developer: Cold Symmetry
- Publisher: Playstack
- New Feature: Special items that tweak game challenge without traditional difficulty sliders
Soulslike sequel Mortal Shell 2 is skipping traditional difficulty modes in favor of special items that let players tweak the challenge to their liking, developer Cold Symmetry has detailed.
Players step into the role of The Harbinger to track down a sacred egg stolen from the Undermether, discovering dead warriors' shells along the way that unlock new abilities and play styles. Rather than including standard difficulty options, Cold Symmetry has introduced items that alter core mechanics and world states.
The Slayer Seal allows players to regain health and resolve by executing enemies with powerful riposte attacks, encouraging aggressive combat similar to Doom (2016). Equipping the Slayer Seal comes with a trade-off, however, as it disables achievements.
For players seeking an increased challenge, the Gloombound Flame offers an alternative path. By finding the candle and bringing it to Marrow Keep to relight a brazier, players can summon a character named Thestus and switch the game to Night Mode. This turns off the sun and introduces new events, NPCs, dungeons, and additional rewards.
Additional items further vary core mechanics. The Untarnished Seal provides a traditional parry option for melee combat, while Vatra's Seal lets players temporarily harden their shield against attacks to gain an all-over body shield at the cost of managing a harden meter that leaves the character vulnerable if depleted.