14 DAY TRIAL // Dark Souls is not just a great game, but it's also THE game that opened up the way for a new gaming genre that we now call “soulslike.” These soulslike games feature one or more gameplay mechanics that made Dark Souls so popular among hardcore gamers.
The next title in the soulslike genre that we're going to get this year, Mortal Shell is an action-RPG developed by a small studio called Cold Symmetry. The game is produced by a core team of just 15 people, many of them who worked on AAA titles.
More importantly, Mortal Shell is in development for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and should be out in Q3 2020, so it's not really a long wait now. As far as the game goes, Mortal Shell promises to offer an “uncompromising, authentic, and hauntingly beautiful” atmosphere, similar to what we've been experiencing while playing Dark Souls series.
The action-RPG was previously known as Dungeonhaven in its earliest days of development, but developers decided to change the name. As mentioned earlier, Mortal Shell is developed by AAA veterans with a passion for soulslike games, which means we should have high hopes.
The premise of the game is quite interesting. Players awake as empty vessels and will enter into a shattered and twisted world where the remains of humanity wither and rot. This part sounds pretty much like Dark Souls.
Guided by the mysterious Dark Father, players must traverse a tattered landscape and track down hidden sanctums of devout followers. Of course, scattered across the land are the remnant anima of lost warriors who can be inhabited to gain their unique abilities and knowledge of weapons.
That's probably where the name of the game comes from, as players will be allowed to inhabit any “shell” until they discover the one that fits their playstyle. Think of these shells as classes. Mortal Shells seems to share the same combat system with Dark Souls. Basically, you'll have to parry and dodge very often and commit your sword only when an opportunity opens.
More importantly, Mortal Shell features a non-linear campaign and deep upgrade paths. Also, players will be able to craft unique upgrades, sharpen their blade with acid, and study dark arcane abilities that imbue their attacks with supernatural devastation.
Naturally, expect grotesque but fierce bosses that will be guarding the path that you'll take on your journey. Do you have what it takes to overcome the challenges?
