Mortal Shell 2 Launches New “First Three Hours” Public Test on PS5 and Xbox

Open beta and pre-orders are already stirring up late-summer plans for soulslike fans: Mortal Shell 2, Cold Symmetry’s action RPG, has launched a fresh “first three hours” public test that’s now available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. If you end up buying the full game, the prologue can be skipped so you can jump straight into the next part of the story—an unusual convenience that suggests the studio wants players to move quickly from testing to completion.

What’s live now: the PS5 and Xbox open beta, plus a faster path into the campaign

The open beta for Mortal Shell 2 is currently accessible and is framed as offering the first three hours of gameplay. The key practical detail for players is the carry-over into the full release: purchasing the complete version will let you bypass the prologue and continue directly further into the narrative.

Separately, the game has had an open beta running since early June, and it includes a Polish localization in the form of subtitles.

Release date, platforms, and editions: what players are deciding before launch

Mortal Shell 2 is scheduled to release on 20 August 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders have already started.

Players can choose between two main purchase options:

• Standard edition
• Devout Edition

The Devout Edition includes additional cosmetics and early access. Specifically, it bundles skeleton-themed and obsidian-themed Herald skins, a separate pack of obsidian skins, and 72 hours of early access. That early start begins on 17 August.

The game is also planned for a collector’s release called Revered. The timing for availability in the Polish market is expected to be later than the base release window. This set is described as including a physical PS5 copy, steelbook, artbook, art prints, and the Herald skins referenced in the higher edition content.

Pricing breakdown by platform: Devout costs more, but early access is the headline

Pre-order pricing varies by platform. Here are the figures listed for each edition:

For most players, the decision will likely hinge on whether the 72-hour early access and the extra Herald/obsidian cosmetics justify the higher tier. The beta’s “first three hours” format also creates a practical comparison point before launch, especially for those who want to test controls and pacing ahead of committing.

Why the beta + open world ambitions matter for the soulslike audience

Beyond the dates and pricing, Mortal Shell 2 is positioning itself differently from its predecessor. The studio describes the sequel as featuring a relatively smaller open world than you might expect—framed as potentially comparable in scale to the open world seen in the Gothic Remake—with the goal of changing how exploration and progression feel.

• Beta access on PS5 and Xbox expands testing beyond PC, letting more players evaluate the sequel’s new pacing.
• Full-game prologue skip reduces friction for buyers who want to continue right after trying the beta’s opening slice.
• Open-world scale messaging signals a deliberate design target: larger freedom than linear soulslike structures, but not an overwhelming map.
• Devout Edition early start gives a clear “play first” incentive starting 17 August.

If you’re planning your August schedule around soulslike releases, Mortal Shell 2 is now worth tracking closely: the beta is already underway on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, while the full game lands on 20 August 2026 across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.