Mortal Shell 2's Impressive Review Scores Suggets It'll A Sleeper Hit
Mortal Shell 2 Reviews Blow Its Predecessor Out Of The Water
It’s the calm before the storm that is September and October when we’ll be subjected to an onslaught of new releases that want to get out in time before GTA 6. However, a surprise entry to be among the best-regarded games of the year has snuck in before that onslaught begins, as Mortal Shell 2 has debuted to some very impressive reviews.
Mortal Shell 2 Debuts To Far Higher Review Scores Than Mortal Shell
Mortal Shell 2 currently has a lofty score of 85 on OpenCritic. That’s a great score regardless of what you compare it to, but it's made even more impressive when you check in on where the original Mortal Shell’s review scores landed. A full nine points lower, with the first game in the series only able to muster an aggregate score of 76 on OC.
“Mortal Shell 2 is a 'fun-forward' souls-like, one that values flexibility and variety over sheer difficulty,” Giant Bomb’s review reads, awarding it 4.5/5. That note about difficulty really could be key to helping the sequel reach a new audience. So many people are turned off by soulslikes because of the implied difficulty. The suggestions that Mortal Shell 2 might be more accessible could really aid in it being a commercial success as well as a critical one.
“Mortal Shell 2 is at its best when it strives to be different,” notes its review at Gamer Guides, where the game was given an 83/100. Much like GB’s note on accessibility, setting itself apart in a world that has become flooded with soulslikes that all look the same will be pivotal to Mortal Shell 2 finding success. If it really is different from everything else out there right now, then there’s a strong chance players agree with what critics have to say.
Mortal Shell 2 Isn't Just Another Paint-By-Numbers Soulslike
At DualShockers, where Mortal Shell 2 was given an 8.5/10, it’s noted that there are a fair few bugs that have kept the game from potentially scoring even more highly. That said, the reviewer agrees with the sentiment that the sequel isn’t just different for the sake of being different, but goes as far as to label the game one of the best soulslikes on the market right now.
Even without having played it, Mortal Shell 2’s reviews are evidence to me that more studios should be given a second bite of the cherry, even if a first game in the series doesn’t blow everyone away. Games are so expensive to make and have such long development cycles that if the first game doesn’t hit big, there might never be a sequel. The best example of that is Assassin’s Creed. The second game is the one that really kickstarted the series and proved it could be something special. If that first game were made today, that vastly improved sequel might never have happened.