-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
lughnasadh123
Member
While not a fan of the first, blasting the face off things with a loot is fucking amazing.
DavidGzz
Member
Idk why they call it a beta instead of just a demo. I think they want feedback so maybe that's why. It isn't online at all to my knowledge. I haven't even seen a ghost like in Demon's Souls lol
Saber
Newd Member
Not that I have problem with that, the issue would be if this game end up being aways online.
Using this to get feedback out of a demo is fine.
VeganElduderino
Member
Looks fucking great, this is the only souls like game I'm excited for!
Duchess
Member
Aye. This does look like an improvement over the first in every way, though, so I'm willing to give it a chance.
Gonzito
Gold Member
Same here. I completed the first one and I thought it was mediocre
Beta is the state of the game (not for release), open means it's available for everyone, closed means only for selected people.
You are welcome
M1987
Member
It plays much better and is more fluid than the first game
Last edited:
Arsic
Loves his juicy stink trail scent
I would argue that was my biggest issue I think from the first, will try the demo tomorrow.
If it's bad I'm coming for you.
Gonzito
Gold Member
Yes the character movements are very weightless which is not what I would expect from a souls game
The graphics are really good but I am in the same boat. I am tired of souls games
Stratostar
Member
Dove into this over the weekend. It's pretty damn meaty for a free demo.
I'm no soulslike aficionado, but this game is just badass and visceral in a way that I really enjoy. Loving the art direction and atmosphere. Runs well on my modest rig too. I'm impressed.
I'm no soulslike aficionado, but this game is just badass and visceral in a way that I really enjoy. Loving the art direction and atmosphere. Runs well on my modest rig too. I'm impressed.
Gaiff
SBI’s Resident Gaslighter
Those games live and die by keeping the levels and enemies interesting. That's much easier said than done. Could be the demo is great but front-loaded.
Still, good to know it's a massive improvement over the first, because the first is kinda shit.
Last edited:
Luipadre
Gold Member
Enemy variety was pretty good in the demo, environment looks mediocre so far, but everything else is so much better. Bosses were okay and im missing the music from the game, especially during bossfights. Still a huge uplift from the first
Northeastmonk
Gold Member
I have to say it's a much better game than the first one. Attacks don't feel sluggish, movement is a lot better, and you don't feel like mastering hardening is the only way to enjoy the game. Parrying strikes is better, you have a gun so getting that final hit in doesn't feel like a gamble, and the level design doesn't feel like it soft locks you with terrible enemy placement. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
Duchess
Member
The final boss was cheap and tedious to fight. I did see the potential in the game, though.
Luipadre
Gold Member
Kinda insane how big of a jump it is. As i said its like UC1 to 2 or AC1-2 jump in scale and quality
SilentSpecter
Member
I played a bit of the open beta and… I don't know. I'm not really convinced.
Combat does feel improved compared to the first game, but I still see a lot of issues. Enemies kind of float around weirdly and there's still no real "weight" to the hits. Parrying also feels way too generous.
I'm not a fan of how the world is split into zones, with extra challenges stuffed inside them. For me, in soulslikes, it's not just combat – it's also great level design and a cohesive world: shortcuts, hidden paths, connections between different areas/biomes. I don't feel any of that here. The world just feels very segmented and disjointed.
Even the "bonfires" having additional challenges feels like a weird design choice, especially since each one only has like 2–3 enemies anyway. I'm not a fan of that kind of filler content.
Bosses… honestly I couldn't even tell if those were meant to be bosses. They looked like regular mobs from other games with just a bigger health bar slapped on. Pretty generic designs overall. Maybe it gets better later on.
The main hub is an awful corridor where everything looks the same, so it's really easy to get lost.
I also don't like these "memories of a past life" sections you're forced to go through. I just want to play a souls game, not a narrative-heavy experience. Overall there's way too much dialogue for this genre imo.
On the plus side: optimization is solid - it runs really well. But honestly the visuals don't impress either: low-res textures, not much detail, and that heavy bloom can be eye-burning at times. Sometimes it's too dark, sometimes too bright.
They did improve a lot compared to the first game, but is it enough? In my opinion, no. Zero hype from me right now, and I'd rather play Lords of the Fallen 2 than this. Might just try MS2 on Game Pass instead.
Combat does feel improved compared to the first game, but I still see a lot of issues. Enemies kind of float around weirdly and there's still no real "weight" to the hits. Parrying also feels way too generous.
I'm not a fan of how the world is split into zones, with extra challenges stuffed inside them. For me, in soulslikes, it's not just combat – it's also great level design and a cohesive world: shortcuts, hidden paths, connections between different areas/biomes. I don't feel any of that here. The world just feels very segmented and disjointed.
Even the "bonfires" having additional challenges feels like a weird design choice, especially since each one only has like 2–3 enemies anyway. I'm not a fan of that kind of filler content.
Bosses… honestly I couldn't even tell if those were meant to be bosses. They looked like regular mobs from other games with just a bigger health bar slapped on. Pretty generic designs overall. Maybe it gets better later on.
The main hub is an awful corridor where everything looks the same, so it's really easy to get lost.
I also don't like these "memories of a past life" sections you're forced to go through. I just want to play a souls game, not a narrative-heavy experience. Overall there's way too much dialogue for this genre imo.
On the plus side: optimization is solid - it runs really well. But honestly the visuals don't impress either: low-res textures, not much detail, and that heavy bloom can be eye-burning at times. Sometimes it's too dark, sometimes too bright.
They did improve a lot compared to the first game, but is it enough? In my opinion, no. Zero hype from me right now, and I'd rather play Lords of the Fallen 2 than this. Might just try MS2 on Game Pass instead.
Bartski
Member
Loved it despite how terribly it runs on my PC. While I did beat the first game, I also thought it was rather mid. This feels like they finally know what they're doing. Fighting basic bitches feels much better, in no small part due to the gore, dismemberment, and generous parry-window finishers. And if they managed to improve the level design, this is gonna go head to head with LotF2.
I finished it and thought it was quite good. The last couple of areas were a bit dull looking but it looked pretty good overall. Solid combat, pretty good level design, good enemy variety and the boss at the end was suitably menacing and challenging. I like the sinister music for that boss too although it's shame there wasn't any other music.
Arsic
Loves his juicy stink trail scent
I opted to stop playing to save it for full release. I had obtained the axe and dagger weapon and figured that's a good spot to stop. It sold me on a game I totally had written off.
Arsic
Loves his juicy stink trail scent
May fire it up to see how it compares to PC.
Definitely one id prefer to comfy couch.
Luipadre
Gold Member
Yeah this demo is definitely a game seller and they know it.
Skifi28
Member
It's excellent on pro so far. Performance seems pretty much locked 60, no traversal stutter I could noticed and image quality is very good (PSSR?). I thought the PC version was a good UE5 example with minimal stuttering, but this seems even better than my own PC at least.
Luipadre
Gold Member
Just got a new tv, gonna try it for fun, but definitely sticking with pc version. I played that shit maxed out with 150+fps
Arsic
Loves his juicy stink trail scent
Yeah I thought reflections would be bad based off footage I saw of some creators. Then I fired it up all maxed out oh my end and it looked amazing.
Wild times when I have a better rig than big titty streamers.
If pro looks and runs great, and puddles aren't horrendous I'll go comfy couch mode me thinks.
I feel bad not putting this new rig to more use, but it'll get its time to shine in September with Dawnwalker, Dawn of war 4, control 2 and more.
FalsettoVibe
Member
Nice. Can't wait to play after work.
Arsic
Loves his juicy stink trail scent
Odd. The movement and weight was pitch perfect for me.
Especially because mortal shell 1 handles like a retard shitting his pants on acid.
Quality mode is rough on base PS5. Looks on par with the PC version I tried but its so choppy.
Performance mode feels quite a bit better but the graphical downgrade is significant. I don't think the game is a huge looker as a whole so im fine with it. Sticking with the PS5 version so I can get the PHYSICAL Revered Edition.
Performance mode feels quite a bit better but the graphical downgrade is significant. I don't think the game is a huge looker as a whole so im fine with it. Sticking with the PS5 version so I can get the PHYSICAL Revered Edition.
Disciple of MSSP
Gold Member
I kept wondering why I didn't like it. But this is actually my big gripe.
yogaflame
Member
https://mortalshell.com/ The Mortal Shell II Beta has arrived on console
Last edited:
Hoho for breakfast
Member
Really liking this so far. Will keep my preorder for it. And awesome that the standard edition is only $50. I think this game will do well. I'd agree when you're just running around it is a little floaty but not terrible at all. I've played much worse. And when it matters with the combat everything is nice and weighty and the hits have decent oomph to them. Even better is the parrying/seal abilities. Very impactful.
My favorite Soulslikes are Bloodborne, Lies Of P, and Khazan. So far I'd rank this along with Khazan. Not as fluid and smooth as Khazan but it's otherwise still really good. I like that the gun is powerful and useful too. Good stuff.
My favorite Soulslikes are Bloodborne, Lies Of P, and Khazan. So far I'd rank this along with Khazan. Not as fluid and smooth as Khazan but it's otherwise still really good. I like that the gun is powerful and useful too. Good stuff.
Last edited:
