Mortal Shell 2 August 20, 2026 Release Date Guide (PS5)

Developer Cold Symmetry has announced a concrete date for its next soulslike, Mortal Shell 2: it’s set to launch on August 20, 2026. The sequel to the 2020 hit Mortal Shell was first shown during Summer Game Fest 2025, and fans who want another bleak dark-fantasy brawler will likely want to circle August 20 for day-one play in Mortal Shell 2.

The original Mortal Shell first arrived in 2020 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC through the Epic Games Store. It later made its way to Steam in 2021. For console generations, players got an Enhanced Edition on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2021, followed by a Complete Edition on Nintendo Switch in 2022. While the first game is often described as a bit brief and rough around the edges, its combat feel has been widely praised as an overlooked standout—something Mortal Shell 2 is aiming to refine.

A different, well-regarded soulslike that previously sat on Steam/PC is also getting new life on PS5 on July 30, 2026.

Mortal Shell 2 Sets August 20 Release Date

In its newest trailer, Cold Symmetry confirms August 20 as the release window for Mortal Shell 2—just a little more than a year after the game was initially revealed. The sequel expands on the series’ interconnected dark-fantasy world and keeps action RPG combat in the familiar soulslike lane, with influences often compared to Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Players step into the role of the Harbinger, hunting down the remains of forgotten fighters—known as the Mortal Shells—so they can take those bodies as their own and gain access to their distinct abilities and combat styles.

The game positions combat as high-stakes and fast, with the core loop centered on possessing different warrior Shells, toppling “false gods,” and pushing back against a ruined world.

To stay effective, players are also encouraged to recognize enemy silhouettes quickly before the moment passes.

Mortal Shell 2 differentiates itself from other soulslike entries such as Dark Souls, Nioh 3, and Lies of P through its Mortal Shells—swap-capable bodies that let players change how they fight. Each Shell is meant to behave like a class, giving access to different abilities and weapons so you can tailor your approach to your preferred play style. So far, only four of the eight playable Shells have been officially confirmed:

Harros the Vassal
Tiel the Acolyte
Eredrim the Venerable
Proxima the Broodseeker

Back in June, Mortal Shell 2 ran an Open Beta. That test let players experience the first three hours of the game, with their progress carrying over into the full release. For launch, the sequel includes 60 dungeons to explore—an increase over the more limited content of Mortal Shell 1. The game also appears to offer a wider range of bosses than the first title, pushing players to adjust their strategies and learn the series’ signature Harden mechanic so they can better defend during critical attacks.

If you’re curious about Mortal Shell 2 but want to try the original first, Mortal Shell has previously been offered as a free Epic Games Store giveaway. It’s worth checking whether it’s already in your library. Mortal Shell 2 is planned for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, with one caveat: only the PS5 version will include a physical disc release. With plenty of other soulslikes on the horizon this year—including Valor Mortis, Phantom Blade Zero, and FromSoftware’s The Duskbloods—players will have no shortage of options. Still, Mortal Shell 2 arrives soon enough to keep the genre momentum going, with launch set for next month.