Publisher Playstack and developer Cold Symmetry have officially announced the release date for *Mortal Shell II*: August 20, 2026. The sequel to the dark “Soulslike” title will launch on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with pre-orders available now.
The most significant gameplay change is the complete removal of the stamina bar. In the original *Mortal Shell*, every strike and dodge consumed stamina, often turning combat into a waiting game. The sequel eliminates this restriction; the protagonist can attack and dodge without worrying about a meter, drastically increasing the pace of battle. However, combat hasn’t become easier—enemies are more aggressive, and parrying or executing finishers (spectacular *Mortal Kombat*-style moves) requires precise timing. Players must still read enemy movements, position themselves correctly, and choose the right moment to strike, as the cost of a mistake remains high.
The eight playable “Shells”—the bodies of fallen warriors inhabited by the protagonist—offer even greater variety. Each Shell boasts unique abilities and combat styles, allowing for a wide range of tactical approaches. The beta version, which launched on Steam on June 6, featured only two: Harros, capable of turning enemies to stone, and the agile Tiel (returning from the first game), who relies on fast, aggressive attacks. The full release will include all eight Shells and a deeper progression system, where abilities are unlocked by discovering lost memories. In terms of dynamics and control responsiveness, *Mortal Shell II* clearly surpasses its predecessor, even at this early stage.
The standard edition is priced at 2,299 rubles on Steam or $49.99 on consoles. The Devout Edition, priced at 2,699 rubles / $59.99, includes up to 72 hours of early access and an exclusive set of obsidian skins for all eight Shells. Any pre-order grants the “Bone Harbinger” and “Obsidian Harbinger” skins. PS5 owners can opt for the physical Revered Edition, which comes with a SteelBook case, a 100-page artbook, and art prints, all housed in a collector’s box.
The developers also released a two-minute gameplay trailer; the open beta previously offered a chance to explore a compact open world featuring over 60 dungeons, where exploration rewards players with new Shells, weapons, and lore fragments. The game will feature Russian text localization.
With just over a month left until launch, anticipation for the sequel is mounting—especially given that *Mortal Shell II* will avoid the September clash of major releases. If you haven’t tried the beta yet, now is the perfect time to consider pre-ordering: the Devout Edition offers early access starting three days before the official release.
