Mortal Shell

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Mortal Shell are varied. Some critics, such as GameSpot and Trusted Reviews, appreciate the mysterious and cryptic nature of the narrative, with spooky and enigmatic speeches from various characters adding to the overall atmosphere. The story is described as deep and fascinating, with lore being delivered through item descriptions and cryptic conversations. The ability to inhabit different shells and uncover the stories of fallen warriors is seen as a fresh twist to the gameplay, adding depth to the narrative. The game's desolate and cruel medieval fantasy world, as mentioned by Hobby Consolas, sets a dark and mysterious tone that intrigues players. However, there are also several critics who express negative opinions about the story of Mortal Shell. Many critics, such as GameOver.gr and Multiplayer.it, point out that the game lacks originality and fails to escape the influence of the 'Dark Souls' series. The story is often described as derivative, lacking depth and coherence. Critics like Games.cz and God is a Geek criticize the storytelling for being pretentious, lacking substance, and frustrating to piece together. The story is often criticized for being vague, underwritten, and sketchy, with bits of lore scattered throughout the world but not enough to create a cohesive narrative. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the story of Mortal Shell is a mixed bag. While some appreciate the mysterious and cryptic nature of the narrative, others find it lacking in originality and depth. The storytelling through item descriptions and cryptic conversations is seen as both intriguing and frustrating. The lack of explicit details and coherence in the narrative makes it difficult for some critics to fully understand and appreciate the story. However, the desolate and cruel medieval fantasy world, the ability to inhabit different shells, and the overall atmosphere of the game are seen as positive aspects that add to the overall experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Mortal Shell are quite varied. There are several positive aspects that stand out. Many critics praise the challenging combat, which follows the Souls-like formula (Games.cz, SpazioGames, Critical Hit, Shacknews, GameSpew, GameSkinny, Gamers Heroes, PlaySense, GameMAG, Jeuxvideo.com, GamingTrend, TheXboxHub, MGG, SomosXbox, Wccftech, Game Revolution, IGN, Attack of the Fanboy, TheGamer, Gameblog.fr, Multiplayer.it, Hobby Consolas, Xbox Achievements, Eurogamer Italy, DualShockers, IGN Italia, Video Chums, Digital Chumps, Everyeye.it, PlayStation Universe, Push Square, COGconnected, Push Square, GAMES.CH, Jeuxvideo.com, Jeuxvideo.com, Impulsegamer, Worth Playing, Hardcore Gamer, Areajugones, Ragequit.gr, IGN Spain, GameCritics, IGN Japan). They appreciate the strategic and slow-paced combat, as well as the ability to parry attacks and the inclusion of unique mechanics like hardening and the shell system. The variety of weapons and playstyles, as well as the sense of mastery in boss fights, are also highlighted as positive aspects (GameSkinny, Gamers Heroes, GameMAG, Jeuxvideo.com, GamingTrend, TheXboxHub, MGG, SomosXbox, Wccftech, Game Revolution, IGN, Attack of the Fanboy, TheGamer, Gameblog.fr, Multiplayer.it, Hobby Consolas, Xbox Achievements, Eurogamer Italy, DualShockers, IGN Italia, Video Chums, Digital Chumps, Everyeye.it, PlayStation Universe, Push Square, COGconnected, Push Square, GAMES.CH, Jeuxvideo.com, Jeuxvideo.com, Impulsegamer, Worth Playing, Hardcore Gamer, Areajugones, Ragequit.gr, IGN Spain, GameCritics, IGN Japan). However, there are also some negative aspects mentioned by the critics. The combat mechanics are criticized for being clunky and lacking precision, resulting in occasional inconsistencies and unnatural movements (SpazioGames, Critical Hit, GameSpew, GameSkinny, COGconnected). Some bosses are poorly designed and not interesting (Games.cz, Critical Hit). The healing system is described as tedious and discouraging exploration (Critical Hit, Shacknews). The enemies are sometimes brain-dead and easily avoided (GameSpew). The dodge mechanic can be unresponsive at times (KeenGamer). Some critics mention the lack of a map system (Finger Guns). Additionally, a few critics note that the game can be prone to exploits and 'cheese' tactics (PCGamesN, DualShockers). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Mortal Shell offers a challenging and strategic combat experience, reminiscent of Dark Souls and Bloodborne. The inclusion of unique mechanics like hardening and the shell system adds depth and variety to the gameplay. The variety of weapons and playstyles, as well as the sense of mastery in boss fights, are also praised. However, there are some criticisms regarding clunky combat mechanics, poorly designed bosses, tedious healing system, unresponsive dodge mechanic, lack of a map system, and potential exploits. Despite these negatives, the overall sentiment is positive, with many critics appreciating the game's combat mechanics and unique gameplay elements (Games.cz, SpazioGames, Critical Hit, Shacknews, GameSpew, GameSkinny, Gamers Heroes, PlaySense, GameMAG, Jeuxvideo.com, GamingTrend, TheXboxHub, MGG, SomosXbox, Wccftech, Game Revolution, IGN, Attack of the Fanboy, TheGamer, Gameblog.fr, Multiplayer.it, Hobby Consolas, Xbox Achievements, Eurogamer Italy, DualShockers, IGN Italia, Video Chums, Digital Chumps, Everyeye.it, PlayStation Universe, Push Square, COGconnected, Push Square, GAMES.CH, Jeuxvideo.com, Jeuxvideo.com, Impulsegamer, Worth Playing, Hardcore Gamer, Areajugones, Ragequit.gr, IGN Spain, GameCritics, IGN Japan).

The opinions of the critics regarding the graphics and visual design of Mortal Shell are quite varied. Many critics praised the game's visuals, highlighting its unique and eerie atmosphere. Critics such as Gameblog.fr and The Indie Game Website commended the game for its grim and oppressive ambience, with beautiful and interesting environments. The game's art direction was also praised by RPGamer, who described it as breathtaking and impressive. Additionally, Cultured Vultures mentioned that Mortal Shell has impressive visual fidelity, surpassing most other games in the genre. The game's character and enemy designs were also commended by Impulsegamer and Attack of the Fanboy. Overall, the positive aspects of the graphics and visual design of Mortal Shell include its haunting atmosphere, unique art direction, and impressive visual fidelity. However, there were also several criticisms regarding the graphics and visual design of Mortal Shell. Some critics, such as PlayStation Universe and KeenGamer, mentioned issues with low detail, blurry textures, and inconsistent quality in certain areas. Easy Allies and Game Rant criticized the game's level design, mentioning that some layouts were disappointingly small and straightforward, lacking interconnectivity and memorable landmarks. SpazioGames and Games.cz also mentioned issues with certain areas lacking unique and inspired design, flat terrain textures, and the presence of dense fog making exploration frustrating. The presence of reused enemies was also mentioned by Noisy Pixel. These criticisms highlight the shortcomings of the graphics and visual design of Mortal Shell, including the lack of detail, inconsistent quality, and issues with level and area design. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the graphics and visual design of Mortal Shell is mixed. While there were positive comments regarding the game's unique and eerie atmosphere, impressive art direction, and character/enemy designs, there were also criticisms regarding low detail, blurry textures, inconsistent quality, and issues with level and area design. It is worth noting that some critics, such as Cultured Vultures and RPGamer, praised the game's visual fidelity and art style, while others, like PlayStation Universe and Easy Allies, were more critical of the graphics. Ultimately, the opinions of the critics indicate that Mortal Shell's graphics and visual design have both strengths and weaknesses, resulting in a mixed reception among reviewers.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the Sound Design and Music of Mortal Shell, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects highlighted by the critics. Starting with the positives, several reviewers praised the game's music and soundtrack, with some mentioning that it adds to the overall atmosphere of the game (Hobby Consolas, PlaySense). Gameblog.fr specifically gives a special mention to the mobs playing the lute, which adds a convincing and magical musical element to the game. Additionally, IGN Italia commends the haunting sound effects and delicate voices, contributing to the immersive experience. TheXboxHub describes the sound design as minimalistic yet effective, creating a sense of anxiety and atmosphere. COGconnected also highlights the clean and crisp voice acting, further enhancing the immersion. On the negative side, some reviewers express disappointment with certain aspects of the sound design and music. KeenGamer mentions that while the game's sound design fits the dark RPG atmosphere, it lacks memorable or fantastic elements, except for one magical musical moment involving a lute. Eurogamer Italy criticizes the repetitive sound effects and timid soundtrack, which they feel diminishes the overall audio experience. Windows Central specifically criticizes the music in Mortal Shell as forgettable and lacking, especially during boss battles. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there are positive aspects such as the convincing music, haunting sound effects, and immersive sound design mentioned by several reviewers, there are also criticisms of repetitive sound effects, lack of memorable tracks, and a timid soundtrack. Some critics, such as LaPS4 and Xbox Achievements, praise the sound design and voice acting, while others, like TrueGaming and RPGamer, find the audio to be average or lacking impact. It is worth noting that the use of haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in the DualSense controller is highly praised by GameSpew and Gameblog.fr. However, the overall sentiment leans towards a desire for more memorable and impactful music, particularly during intense moments and boss fights.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Mortal Shell are varied, but there are some positive aspects that stand out. Gamer.no praises the voice acting, along with the animations and mysterious storytelling, as contributing to the overall experience. Gamers' Temple describes the voice acting as "weirdly captivating," suggesting that it has a unique and intriguing quality. IGN Italia mentions that the game has delicate voices, which implies a level of subtlety and nuance in the performances. COGconnected also highlights the voice acting as clean and crisp, suggesting a high level of technical quality. However, there are also some negative opinions regarding the voice acting in Mortal Shell. Games.cz criticizes the voice acting as exaggerated and comedic, with the exception of the main quest giver. This suggests that there may be inconsistencies in the performances, with some characters not matching the tone or style of the game. Additionally, IGN does not provide specific details about the quality of the voice acting, only mentioning that the NPCs mutter spooky lines. This lack of specific praise may indicate that the voice acting does not stand out in any particular way. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Mortal Shell has its strengths and weaknesses. While some critics, such as Gamer.no and COGconnected, appreciate the voice acting and find it to be a positive aspect of the game, others, like Games.cz and IGN, have more mixed opinions. The mention of the voice acting adding to the eerie atmosphere by Shacknews suggests that it effectively contributes to the overall tone and atmosphere of the game. However, the lack of specific praise from IGN and the mention of comedic performances by Games.cz indicate that there may be inconsistencies or missed opportunities in the voice acting.

In terms of the technical performance on the PS4, the opinions of the critics are mixed. Some critics, such as Finger Guns and PlaySense, mention that the game runs smoothly without any technical issues. LaPS4 also praises the stable frame rates and well-done combat animations. However, other critics like Areajugones, Game Revolution, and IGN Italia highlight various technical issues that hindered their enjoyment. These issues include camera problems, limited exploration options, occasional bugs, crashes, glitches, imprecise collision detection, and unpredictable enemy attacks. Jeuxvideo.com also mentions collision bugs resulting in unfair deaths and moments of prolonged exploration in the hub area. Overall, the technical performance on the PS4 seems to have some flaws and inconsistencies. Moving on to the Xbox One, the opinions of the critics are more positive. GamingTrend mentions that the game performs better and is more stable than most soulslike games, with no crashes, bugs, or framerate dipping. Xbox Achievements and TheXboxHub also mention that the game occasionally has glitches but overall feels like a quality product. However, Games.cz points out technical issues during the final boss battle, including camera problems and frame rate drops. Jeuxvideo.com also notes collision bugs and moments of prolonged exploration in the hub area. Despite these issues, the technical performance on the Xbox One seems to be relatively stable and satisfactory. For the next-gen consoles, the opinions on the technical performance are generally positive. The Enhanced Edition on the PS5 is praised for its faster load times, utilization of the DualSense controller's haptic feedback, and solid 60fps performance by critics like Digital Chumps, GameSpew, GameSpot, Worth Playing, and PlayStation Universe. However, Gameblog.fr and Push Square mention occasional drops in animations, issues with depth of field and lighting effects, item and texture pop-in, and instances of game crashing. On the Xbox Series X, TheXboxHub and Jeuxvideo.com mention improved loading times and smoother performance. It is worth noting that GameSpew mentions the frame rate being capped at 30fps on the Xbox Series S, which could be a downside for players seeking a higher frame rate experience. Overall, the technical performance on the next-gen consoles seems to be a significant improvement, although some minor issues persist. In terms of the PC version, the technical performance of Mortal Shell receives mostly positive feedback. Critics like Eurogamer Italy, GameCritics, Gamers Heroes, IGN, PC Invasion, Ragequit.gr, SpazioGames, and The Games Machine mention no technical issues, stable framerates, exceptional performance, and impressive technical aspects. Cultured Vultures emphasizes the importance of steady framerates for timing-based combat. However, Attack of the Fanboy, GameGrin, Jeuxvideo.com, Multiplayer.it, TheSixthAxis, and Windows Central mention various bugs and issues such as delays in player prompts, combat prompts being ignored or delayed, occasional frame rate dips, frustrating camera and targeting issues, and lack of collision with the environment. Despite these issues, the overall consensus for the PC version leans towards a positive technical performance. In conclusion, the overall consensus among the critics regarding the technical performance of Mortal Shell is mixed. While some platforms, such as the Xbox One and PC, generally receive positive feedback with stable performance and minimal technical issues, others like the PS4 have a more varied response, with both positive and negative aspects highlighted. The next-gen versions on the PS5 and Xbox Series X show improvements in loading times and performance, although occasional issues with animations, crashes, and pop-in are mentioned. Ultimately, the technical performance of Mortal Shell seems to be a subjective experience, with some players enjoying a smooth and stable gameplay experience while others encounter technical issues that hinder their enjoyment.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Mortal Shell are varied. There are several positive aspects that contribute to its replayability. The game offers a New Game+ mode, allowing players to replay the game with all their progress intact, providing a fresh challenge and encouraging replayability (Attack of the Fanboy, Easy Allies). Additionally, there are hidden endings and collectibles to discover, adding to the game's replayability (Games.cz, Wccftech). The streamlined progression system and enjoyable combat mechanics may also appeal to Souls veterans and encourage replayability (GameSkinny). The familiarity bonus system and the option to increase the difficulty level provide additional options for players to experiment and challenge themselves (Hobby Consolas, Wccftech). However, there are some negative aspects that critics have pointed out regarding the replay value of Mortal Shell. One common criticism is that the game is relatively short compared to other games in the genre, with playtimes ranging from 7 to 20 hours (Gamer.no, Metro GameCentral, TrueGaming). Some critics mention that the lack of variety in shells, weapons, and bosses limits the game's replayability (MGG, Noisy Pixel). The lack of build variety and PvP options is also mentioned as a drawback to the replay value of the game (CGMagazine). The limited impact of the equipment system and the uninspired abilities of the shells are also mentioned as factors that reduce the incentive for replayability (GameOver.gr). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Mortal Shell offers some replay value, but it falls short in certain areas. The New Game+ mode, hidden endings, and collectibles contribute positively to the game's replayability. However, the relatively short duration, lack of variety in shells, weapons, and bosses, as well as the limited impact of the equipment system, are seen as drawbacks that limit its replay value. Some critics appreciate the game's unique ideas, enjoyable combat, and lower price point, which make it appealing despite its shorter length (PlayStation Country, Worth Playing). However, it is important to note that the lack of detailed analysis of the replayability or replay value in some reviews, such as Gameblog.fr, limits the overall understanding of the game's replay potential.