Top-5 Irresistible Alternatives to Mortal Shell That You Can't Miss

If you are a fan of challenging combat gameplay, you're no stranger to Mortal Shell. This action role-playing game, known for its challenging combat experience and unique storyline, has occupied an unshakable position among fans of the souls-like genre. But what if you're ready to explore new gaming adventures that offer a similar level of quality, but with unique twists? Here are five games that could fill the void when Mortal Shell isn't keeping you busy.

1. Dark Souls Series

Intro to Dark Souls Series

Developed by FromSoftware, the Dark Souls Series is the progenitor of the term ‘souls-like’ and is one of the most favorable alternatives for Mortal Shell.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Dark Souls is renowned for its punishing but fair combat system. Every enemy, including common ones, can pose a significant threat, and death is frequent, serving as a form of learning experience. Players can customize their characters and choose different classes, each with unique attributes and abilities. This encourages strategic approaches to enemies and situations. The story of Dark Souls is sparse and mostly left for players to interpret, adding another layer of mystery to the game. It takes place in the fictional kingdom of Lordran, where the player character is a cursed undead chosen to embark on a pilgrimage to discover the fate of his kind.

2. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Intro to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

From the creators of the Dark Souls series, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is another captivating alternative worth considering.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

While Sekiro shares some mechanics with Dark Souls, such as a heavy emphasis on exploration and challenging combat, it infuses these components with unique elements like a mobility-focused grappling hook and a posture system that replaces traditional stamina-based defense. The story revolves around Wolf, a shinobi in the service of a young lord. After his lord is kidnapped and his arm severed, Wolf embarks on a quest for revenge. Set during a fantastical portrayal of late 1500s Sengoku Japan, the game is a delight for those keen on historical settings with a touch of mystical elements.

3. Bloodborne

Intro to Bloodborne

Bloodborne is another title by FromSoftware that manages to push the ‘souls-like’ formula in new and interesting directions.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Bloodborne takes the brutal difficulty and meticulous combat of the Souls series and injects it with a faster, more aggressive style. It encourages players to engage in combat and rewards them for taking risks. The RPG elements of customization and weapon choices are still there, but the experience is more streamlined. The narrative is set in the gothic city of Yharnam, afflicted by a mysterious illness. The player, as a hunter, must navigate the city's twisted streets and monstrous inhabitants to uncover the dark secrets that lie beneath Yharnam’s surface.

4. Nioh Series

Intro to Nioh Series

Developed by Team Ninja, the creators of Ninja Gaiden, the Nioh series offers a Samurai-inspired souls-like experience.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Nioh employs strategic swordplay with an extensive list of weapon types and combat techniques for players to master. It's layered with deep RPG aspects like loot, weapon customization, skills, and more, which provide a significant level of depth. Set in the Sengoku period of Japan, the story mixes historical events with Japanese mythology. Players control William (Nioh 1) and Hide (Nioh 2), navigating war-torn provinces filled with otherworldly creatures.

5. Hollow Knight

Intro to Hollow Knight

While Hollow Knight is not a traditional ‘souls-like’ game, its difficulty, sense of exploration, and the melancholy atmosphere make it a worthy alternative.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Hollow Knight is a 2D Metroidvania game with a focus on exploration and epic boss fights. While it shares soul-collecting and non-linear progression with other souls-like games, its platforming elements add a distinct twist. The story is told subtly, relying on environment details and NPC interactions. The game is set in the dying insect kingdom of Hallownest, each area providing a distinct and atmospheric environment for players to explore.

Each game brings its unique charm, engaging gameplay, and a rich storyline that can quench your thirst for a new gaming experience in the souls-like genre. As such, they're more than deserving of a spot on the esteemed throne of Mortal Shell alternatives.