The “Soulslike” genre is no longer a niche. Every year sees more titles and fans joining the fold, and developers are increasingly realizing that their audience isn’t just hardcore players craving a challenge—it also includes less experienced gamers looking for an unforgettable adventure. Cold Symmetry has taken this concept a step further: Mortal Shell 2 won’t feature a traditional difficulty selection menu. Instead, it employs an item-based system that alters the rules of the game on the fly. Here’s a look at how it works, why the decision has sparked debate, and what really lies behind the “easy mode” concept.
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How the new difficulty system in Mortal Shell 2 works?
In Mortal Shell 2, you play as The Harbinger—a warrior setting out to retrieve a sacred egg stolen from the Lower Depths. Along the way, you discover the “shells” of fallen warriors, which unlock new combat styles and abilities. Beyond these shells, however, the game features artifacts that alter the gameplay and the world itself, making the experience either easier or significantly more challenging.
The developers at Cold Symmetry explained the system in a video posted on Bluesky. Instead of rigid “easy/normal/hard” presets, they created a set of items that players can find and equip during actual gameplay. It’s akin to shifting gears on a bicycle: some riders need 12 cogs, while others are perfectly happy with 11.
This isn’t the genre’s first experiment with flexible difficulty, of course. Lies of P, for instance, added similar settings via a post-launch patch. Cold Symmetry, however, has gone further: the system is built into the game from the ground up and tied to in-game mechanics rather than a settings menu.
The Killer’s Mark or Easy Mode at the Cost of Trophies
The Slayer Seal is an item for those who fancy themselves gladiators. According to the developers, this artifact allows you to restore health and Resolve by landing powerful counter-attacks when executing enemies. Essentially, it compels the player to act like the Slayer from Doom (2016)—staying in the thick of the fight and blasting enemies at point-blank range to replenish resources.
However, there is a trade-off. Using the Slayer Seal means achievements won’t count. It’s a fair deal: convenience in exchange for that shiny trophy on your profile. It certainly seems like the item disrupts the game’s balance—otherwise, why disable trophies?
It is worth noting that this isn’t simply “God Mode.” You can still die, and you still have to learn the mechanics, but you gain a safety net in the form of health restoration. It doesn’t make the game trivial, but it certainly lowers the barrier to entry.
Flame of Darkness and Night Mode for hardcore players
If you are looking for a truly challenging experience, hunt down the Gloombound Flame. It is a candle that must be carried to a location called Marrow Keep and lit in a special brazier. Once lit, a character named Thestus appears and offers to activate Night Mode—essentially turning off the sun and triggering a whole new set of challenges.
This isn’t just about boosting enemy health or damage output. Night Mode fundamentally alters the gameplay:
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Enemies become stronger
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Better rewards become available
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New events begin to occur
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Additional NPCs appear throughout the world
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New dungeons become accessible
Developer materials confirm that Night Mode includes rewards, events, treasures, and extra NPCs. The higher difficulty level functions as a campaign variant—you’re essentially playing through the game all over again, but with new content. By all accounts, Night Mode is the perfect excuse for a second playthrough. Or a first one, if you enjoy suffering.
Other artifacts: parry and petrification
The developers didn’t stop at just two items. The game features other artifacts that, while not radically altering the core gameplay, offer tactical flexibility.
The Untarnished Seal is for those accustomed to traditional melee parrying. If timing a deflection proves too difficult, look for Vatra’s Seal; it allows you to temporarily petrify your shell against attacks, effectively encasing your entire body in armor. But be warned: the effect has a durability meter—once it runs out, you are left completely defenseless.
This modular approach to difficulty is a breath of fresh air in a genre often prone to rigidity. Instead of simply making enemies “spongier,” Cold Symmetry gives players tools that fundamentally shift tactics. A wealth of gameplay possibilities awaits those willing to dig into the system and fully appreciate its nuances.
Mortal Shell 2: release date, price, and platforms
Mortal Shell 2 launches on August 20, 2026, for PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
The game is available for pre-order now. Pricing:
The game size on PS5 is 32.179 GB. This figure may increase depending on a potential day-one patch.
What’s next? If you’re a hardcore fan, grab the Grim Flame and enable Night Mode. If you just want to play through and have fun, the Assassin’s Seal is the choice for you—but remember, trophies will be disabled. The choice is yours.
