If you fancy a challenging RPG with a dark, horror-tinged vibe that won’t eat up as much of your time as the Elden Ring campaign, you should grab Mortal Shell for free while you can. Developer Core Symmetry was founded by four like-minded people with a shared passion for Dark Souls, and the studio’s debut game is an intriguing and inventive soulslike with some genuinely unique ideas. It’s certainly one to try if you’re a fan of the format, and now you can do so without spending a thing via the Epic Games Store.
One of the smartest decisions Core Symmetry made with Mortal Shell was working within its means as a small studio. It’s not a long game compared to some of its genre companions – you’ll probably be looking at ten to 20 hours for a full playthrough. Yet there are enough good ideas packed in here to make it one of the best soulslikes outside of the FromSoftware catalog. Whether you’ve considered it previously or are just hearing about it for the first time, it’s absolutely worth grabbing while it’s a free PC game.
The core hook is its eponymous Mortal Shells – abandoned bodies that you inhabit, each bringing a different play style to the battlefield. Outside of these shells, you are a frail, fragile husk, perpetually one hit from death. Take enough damage in shell form and you’ll be bumped out, and will need to reclaim your lost power before you can be struck down. If you manage to do so, you’ll have another chance to keep going, but suffer just a single blow and you’ll be sent back to your last rest spot.
The other distinctive mechanic is ‘hardening’ – at any time, even during a dodge or parry, or midway through an attack, you can freeze yourself in place, becoming immune to incoming damage until you release the button or take a hit. When this happens, you’ll return to your normal state and your current animation will resume from the point it stopped.
This system makes for some really interesting tactics. Regular enemies will bounce off your hardened form much as they might a shield, so you can lock yourself in the middle of a big swing to throw them off-guard and then complete your attack as they recoil backwards. You’ll have to be more careful against major foes, however, who will likely keep up the pressure if you attempt to harden midway through their combos.
Between these ideas, Mortal Shell feels unlike any other soulslike, despite weapon types that will feel fairly familiar in their mix of swords, maces, twin blades, and so on. Core Symmetry’s world is also a highlight – it’s a dreary land, drained of much of its life and light. That stark presentation is emphasized by a particularly unsettling soundtrack, and creates a dystopian destination that you’ll remember exploring long past the closing credits.
Mortal Shell is a free PC game from Thursday March 13 through Thursday March 20 via the Epic Games Store. It’s yours to keep once claimed. Head here to get it while you can.
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