The Souls-like RPG Mortal Shell has quickly become one of the most interesting announcements of the Summer Game Fest. Two trailers over the past several days teased Mortal Shell's grim story and grisly combat. One aspect of the game that's been notably absent is an extended look at one of Mortal Shell's boss fights, though. That absence has since been filled, with developer Cold Symmetry putting out a lengthy look at a mini-boss fight with the warrior Hadern.
During yesterday's PC Gaming Show presentation a new Mortal Shell trailer was shown, but the trailer ended abruptly just as the Hadred fight started. Here's that extra footage showcasing the Hadern mini-boss, which makes for a great showcase of Mortal Shell's tactical and deliberate combat.
In Mortal Shell, players start in what Cold Symmetry calls the Dark Form. From this Dark Form, players can inhabit the corpses of fallen warriors, which are called Shells. Shells offer their own unique combat strengths, as well as unique upgrades and lore. For this boss fight, however, it seems the player has decided to forgo a Shell in favor of their Dark Form. That's why they look like some sort of skinless creature. It's possible that this fight is from an early section of the game prior to the player earning their first Shell.
Throughout the boss fight with Hadern, viewers get to see another of Mortal Shell's unique mechanics. It's a sort of hardening, in which the player seemingly becomes briefly encased in a sort of stone. This ability prevents all damage, though there appears to be an ability that allows the player to recuperate damage while hardened, too. Hardening will last several seconds waiting for damage to be done before it breaks. After use, it takes some time to recharge this ability, though other trailers have shown that players will be able to build up multiple charges over time.
What's really interesting about the Hadern fight is that Hadern can use the hardening ability, too. Clearly, the player isn't the only Dark Form being in the world of Mortal Shell. Perhaps there are a range of such afflicted just like in the Souls games.
Beyond the unique aspects of Mortal Shell's combat, it's still a very interesting system. As promised, efficient actions are done very deliberately. Button mashing attacks is a quick way to die, since Hadern's hardening will lead to a deflection and vulnerability. Still, dodges are as important as ever in a Souls game. Mortal Shell doesn't deviate that far from players' expectations.
Mortal Shell releases Q3 2020 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.