A Perilous Journey Into the Unkown
As you could more than likely see, if you watched the video review, I’m not good at games like this. In fact, I suck at the timed combat, roll, dodge mechanics Mortal Shell has something different that made dying over and over worth it. My main focus in the time I had was to see as much as I could, explore while making a mental map, and just have a good time in a genre I rarely indulge in. I found 3 of the shells Harros, The Vassal, which is more than likely the first one most will encounter. I also found Solomon, The Scholar and Eredrim, The Venerable. Unfortunately, I found no weapons, and I didn’t have time to upgrade/ unlock any skills in the trees for my shells. The Bodies or Shells of defeated warriors are out in the world for you to stumble across and discover. You get to inhabit these Mortal Shells and master each one’s unique combat style and stats. From Tanky boys to Fast low health boys. Shells can be swapped out at the safe areas or on the fly using effigies of the shells. Tar the game’s currency or souls if you already want to draw comparisons is used to learn the name of that shell. Which then with Tar and Glimpses allows you to start the skill unlock process. There are safe areas at the start of most areas, at least the ones I got to explore. These almost Hub like areas allow you to Awaken and talk to Sester Genessa, Unlock Skills, Swap shells out, Use an almost flashback like sense to find other shells and weapons and use workbenches or anvils to upgrade those weapons. In some, you also have access to a merchant to buy various items for your punishing combat filled journey.
I Relish The Pain
Each and every swing is deliberate and will punish you if you get swing happy. Combat is brutal but not unfair. An encounter with the chained bird unlocks a timing specific parry and riposte that requires resolve and also serves as a quick heal. Your other means of defense is a stamina eating dodge and roll. Mortal Shell also brings something unique with it’s “harden” the ability to toughen your shell to withstand an attack because the game has no traditional block button. You can harden mid-attack to give some defence in case you time an attack wrong even with its lengthy cooldown it is an extremely effective tool to have. A weird mechanic is items have familiarity which requires you to use them multiple times to raise that stat and get the most effectiveness. It often led to me having to deliberately poison myself or use an item that would have helped in a fight just to figure out what it was. Brace yourself for another soulsborne reference here but Mortal Shell has a Sekiro like 2nd chance mechanic. When you deplete the health, you will get knocked out of the shell. It allows you to get back in with full health-giving you that 2nd chance to end that annoying enemy. Without your Shell, it’s a one-hit deal. Dying drops all your hard-earned Tar, and if you die before getting it back well…that’s it.Small Cracks?
My one complaint in the hours of playing is there’s no jump. It’s a very small thing, but I found myself getting stuck in places that a small jump could have solved. In fact, that was a lot of my deaths getting stuck on a ramp or corner and getting boxed in by enemies but not being able to get away with rolling or dashing through them. I also did manage to get stuck after falling on a ledge that probably shouldn’t have been there. Also, I would say at least in my experience the lack of quick health options made things a bit hairy a few times. Unless you can build up resolve and land the parry and riposte for some quick health it very often feels like taking any hits is an utterly devastating prospect. Resolve is something you build up as you damage enemies’ resolve can be used in your parry and riposte. Alternatively, if you build up 2 bars you get the option to use a devastating special attack that will either kill or severely drop the health bar of most enemies. Aggressive or safe, every playstyle has a place in Mortal Shell without feeling like you’re forced to choose one. One of my favourite things is the playable Lute you get. If you sit in front of Sester Genessa, she bobs her head. She acts as your brace yourself Doll in the Hunter’s nightmare or Shrine Keeper. But not really at the same time as Mortal Shell doesn’t have a traditional level-up system but a skill tree for each and every shell. But I feel like she has a more profound sinister role to play further into the game.
