The Envelopes are ready to come back to life... Mortal Shell II, an action RPG dark fantasy developed by Cold Symmetry and published by Playstack, will release on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series on August 20, 2026. A bande-annonce accompanies the start of preorders and details the gameplay, the eight Envelopes you can play, and the various editions of the game. The Devout Edition will notably grant 72 hours of early access, while a physical Revered Edition will be offered on PS5.
The new trailer drops alongside the reveal of the release date for the track Darker Thoughts from the British band Paradise Lost. The footage showcases several open-world locales, clashes with a variety of creatures, and the eight Envelopes you can play as. The characters Lazlo, The Justicar; Sariel, The Endless and Smert, The Apostate are among the fighters glimpsed in the video, which also highlights exploration, close-quarters combat, and multiple sequences featuring ranged weaponry.
"Mortal Shell II is an action RPG with dark fantasy vibes that has been in development for more than four years. This standalone brings an interconnected open world to life, crafted with care. It’s vast yet deliberately compact, designed to respect players' time. You don’t need to be familiar with the original Mortal Shell to fully enjoy Mortal Shell II".
As they progress, players will traverse a ruined world where the remnants of forgotten warriors lie in wait. By reclaiming their memories and powers, they will gradually uncover the various elements of the story.
Mortal Shell II builds on real-time combat that blends melee clashes with ranged strikes. Unlike the first game, players are no longer constrained by a stamina gauge, granting more freedom in offensive combos and movement. That said, fights still demand careful positioning to exploit the openings left by opponents.
The Envelopes are once again at the center of the action. Hidden within the game world, they can be awakened and then inhabited to access their unique powers and backstories. Each Shell brings its own combat style, abilities, and progression, letting you tailor your approach to the situations you encounter.
The adventure unfolds in an interconnected open world spanning more than 60 dungeons. The branching paths lead to new weapons, upgrades, rare items, narrative elements, and a wealth of secrets. Cold Symmetry notes that this map was designed to stay deliberately compact, aiming to minimize unnecessary travel while preserving a high density of content.
Pre-orders are now live across PC via Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series. The Devout Edition, available digitally, includes a set of obsidian skins for the eight playable Envelopes and 72 hours of early access ahead of the global launch.
An Revered Edition is also planned in a physical PS5 release. It will bundle an artbook, an exclusive case, several limited-edition art prints, and a collector’s box. The game will be offered at a suggested price of €49.99, while the Devout Edition will be priced at €59.99.
Cold Symmetry also reports that the Steam beta drew more than 500,000 players in under two weeks, and the game's videos have racked up over six million views across YouTube, Twitch, and Shorts formats.
Just over a month before its launch, Mortal Shell II lays out its content, editions, and several gameplay details. The upcoming communications from Cold Symmetry should now offer more insight into the latest progression systems, enemies, and the various zones that will form this new adventure. Controllers at the ready!
And for the other trailers, check them out here:
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