Dark Souls fans eat well pretty much all the time. Even if there isn’t a current From Software release on the horizon beyond The Duskbloods, tons of other studios are hard at work crafting the next big breakout hit for the genre.
In any given year, there could be 10 or more Souls-likes coming out, typically with different themes, mechanics, and twists on the formula. Some of them even end up topping Game of the Year charts and worming their way into the hearts of millions of gamers.
Over on Steam, you can play a dark fantasy RPG for free right now. If you’re a fan of the subgenre, it’s worth looking into, and it’s already garnering tons of great reviews.
Live now on Steam, you can play Mortal Shell 2, which is in a free open beta format before the eventual launch. It’s currently sitting at “Very Positive” reviews on Steam, so it’s a perfect time to jump in if you enjoyed the original, or just feel the itch to play another Souls-like.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’re getting yourself into: “The Mortal Shell II Open Beta grants access to the opening hours of the full game, from the Prologue into the first explorable region. Players will begin the Harbinger’s journey by possessing fallen Shells and venturing into an early section of the open world. Along the way, you can cleanse beacons, explore optional dungeons, take on hidden mini-bosses and challenges, then press onward toward Magdalena, the Lady of the Woods.”
Granting access to the “opening hours” of the full game, you’ll be able to play through the Prologue and an “early section” of the open world portion. Two characters are playable in the beta, with seven more slated for launch. The team also notes that there may be bugs and performance issues because the game is developed in real time.
If you happen to play the open beta, you’ll get a Flayed Harbinger skin to use in the full game. If you play past the “Marrow Keep” section, you can also skip the prologue in the final release. However, full progress isn’t carrying over. Instead, you can expect “currency, weapons, Shells, collectibles, and other items discovered during the Open Beta” to reset once 1.0 hits.
As long as those provisos are acceptable, you can boot up Steam and play the Mortal Shell 2 open beta now for free. Even if you just end up completing the Prologue, it could save you time for the final release.
- Brand
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Valve
- Original Release Date
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September 12, 2003