I was hooked by the game's premise, having started it after watching the fantastic You Won't Be Alone: this idea of wearing corpses like an armour and learn through the memories of those fallen warriors. And the narrative behind each of the shells didn't disappoint: they all have unique personalities that give us glimpses (hah!) into this blighted world our Foundling finds itself in.

Both in terms of story, gameplay, and aesthetic, it drinks a lot from the Soulsborne fountain, which is a strong selling point for fans like me. But it's important to go into Mortal Shell with one understanding: this is a game made by an indie developer with a much more restraining budget than the likes of From Software.

The game is short and straightforward; easier than Dark Souls too. The gameplay can be a bit rusty sometimes, and the visuals, my biggest criticism, lack refinement. In this aspect, it's not a case of being ugly; no, Mortal Shell does have a pretty world. But its landscapes are lacklustre. In the HUB area, it's hard to even localise oneself because there's almost nothing standing out.

Despite those flaws and limitations, I had a great time with the game! It's an indie gem that deserves players' attention, and hopefully, developer Cold Symmetry will have the resources to expand on this premise in the future.