Xbox Series X|S players diving into the Mortal Shell 2 open beta over the weekend have responded with strong positivity, praising significant mechanical upgrades ahead of the game's launch.
Quick Facts
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam), and PS5
- Release Date: August 20, 2026
- Current Availability: Open beta prologue is live on consoles and PC
- Developer/Publisher: Developed by Cold Symmetry and published by PlayStack
Player Impressions of the Open Beta
As a standalone sequel in the grim Soulslike genre, Mortal Shell II lets players possess different 'shells,' each equipped with a unique fighting style. While the predecessor drew criticism from some players for perceived slowness and technical roughness, early feedback for the beta points to a stark turnaround.
Community reviews highlight smoother combat performance, weighted weapon feedback, and audio design. One Xbox user awarded the beta a 5/5 rating, describing it as an "elite second outing" that turned around previous criticisms of the first game.
On Steam, participants noted that the difficulty strikes a balanced, moderately challenging tone where deaths feel fair. Notably, players pointed out the absence of a traditional stamina management system, a design choice intended to keep combat pacing fast and natural.
How to Access the Console Beta
The open beta allows players to test the game's prologue. While developer Cold Symmetry and publisher PlayStack have not specified an official end date for the beta test, the full game arrives on August 20, 2026. Xbox Series X|S owners interested in trying the test build can search for 'Mortal Shell II Open Beta' in the console store.