It’s officially spooky season in the dilapidated world of Mortal Shell II. Publisher Playstack and developers Cold Symmetry released a free update for the title today. The update is a lot more than just adding a few pumpkins into the game. 

The “Rotten Autumn” update adds new dungeons, a Photo Mode, a whole new soundtrack, and some additional festive surprises for anyone brave enough to go looking. Still no sheep dungeon though, according to the publishers. I’ll be looking for one anyway.

The free update is available on PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. So, whether you’ve already rolled credits or started the game and haven’t finished it, here’s a new reason to dust off your favourite Shell.

Fifteen New Dungeons

The main addition to the update is the fifteen new dungeons littered throughout the game’s world. That’s a decent amount of new real estate, even for players who have already combed through Mortal Shell II’s map.

There’s also ten new Tarstones, with one of them apparently meant just for sheep. Looking forward to checking that one out myself. Developers Cold Symmetry are also very adamant that, whatever you may have heard, there’s no sheep dungeon. I’ll believe it when I don’t see it.

Strike A Pose in Photo Mode, Play With A New Soundtrack

Mortal Shell II is a gorgeous game in a macabre and horrifying sort of way, and Photo Mode finally lets you capture it in all its glory. Photo Mode is great for capturing the perfect thumbnails and fun backgrounds, and I would expect lots of moody screenshots on your social feeds over the next few weeks.

If you’re looking for another reason to experience the game, Rotten Autumn adds an alternative soundtrack. Composed by Sakis Tolis, frontman of Greek black metal band Rotting Christ, this new addition feels like a natural fit for this dark title.  While I’m personally not the biggest metal fan, I am interested in seeing how the new music makes a second playthrough feel.

The update also adds new lighting presets for Nightmode and Overkill graphics settings, plus some new Shell Shades to give Shells a fresh look.

Seasonal Tricks and Treats

It wouldn’t be a seasonal update without some Halloween-themed flavour. Here’s some additional features being added in today’s update:

• Become a pumpkin-head with The Harbinger Pumpkin Helmet
• The Impervious Lute skin comes along with additional lute tracks to play in game
• A ghostly lost Shell wandering the the world, leaving cryptic notes for anyone crossing its path

As expected, the update also includes some polishing and bug fixes.

About Mortal Shell II

If you’ve never played the series, Mortal Shell II is a great starting point and we reviewed it positively here at GSC. Its narrative puts it as a standalone dark fantasy action RPG, so there’s no need to have played the original. You play by possessing the dormant bodies of forgotten warriors known as Shells.  Each Shell comes with its own strengths, abilities and lore. Combat is brutal, timing is everything, and the game rewards mastery and exploration. As a bonus, there’s no stamina system slowing you down.

With “Rotten Autumn”, Playstack and Cold Symmetry have given both returning players and newcomers plenty of reasons to step back into the dark world of Mortal Shell II this October.