The highly anticipated Soulslike action game Mortal Shell 2 is set to officially launch on PS5 on August 20. While most Soulslike games are known for their high difficulty, developer Cold Symmetry has confirmed that this title will offer a series of special items that allow players to adjust the challenge level, providing more options for players with different needs.
Among the various difficulty-adjusting items, the most notable is the "Slayer Seal." When equipped, player execution attacks will restore health and "Resolve," along with providing other buffs, encouraging a more aggressive playstyle—even occasional mistakes won't drastically drop your health, significantly lowering the barrier to completion.
However, this "Easy Mode" comes with a clear trade-off: equipping the Slayer Seal will prevent the save file from unlocking trophies/achievements. This design seems to imply that the item significantly disrupts the game's original balance. Nevertheless, for players who don't care about trophy hunting or wish to experience the story with ease, this is undoubtedly a thoughtful option.
In contrast, the "Gloombound Flame" item is designed for hardcore players seeking a greater challenge. Using it switches the game to "Night Mode," significantly increasing the strength of all enemies. The developers revealed that this high-difficulty mode offers unique rewards and special events, making it worth trying in New Game+—or even daring to attempt during the first playthrough.
Cold Symmetry stated that there are more difficulty-adjusting items waiting to be discovered in the game, including accessories that can alter the behavior of core combat mechanics such as parrying. As the release date approaches, the developers will continue to reveal more details, allowing players to see the full depth of this system.