**A fantastic foundation with room to grow**
At first, I thought the limited variety of weapons might become a problem, but I now understand that this was the right design choice. The weapons feel genuinely unique, rather than being superficial variations with mostly visual differences. I would love to see more weapons added in the future, but I hope they maintain the same level of individuality and identity.
The same can be said about the Shells. Each one feels unique and authentic, and I would definitely like to see more Shells, along with better balancing between them. And, of course, we want Harros back.
The soundtrack is fantastic and does an excellent job of creating the atmosphere of the game. However, there were moments during exploration—and even during some miniboss encounters—where I felt the absence of music. More consistent use of the soundtrack could make some areas and encounters even more memorable.
The environments are beautiful, and the different biomes do a great job of conveying contrasting feelings of comfort and despair. Each area offers a distinct atmosphere and creates different experiences as you explore.
I also really enjoyed the moments when the game steps away from its traditional gameplay to let us experience memories or play as other characters. The first-person horror puzzle sequence is a great example of this. These moments add variety and help make the world feel more interesting.
The upgrade/leveling system is probably the area I would most like to see improved. At the moment, it feels somewhat simplistic and doesn't leave much room for meaningful decision-making or creativity. In practice, it often feels like simply progressing from level 1 to level 2. I understand that we can choose how to allocate points in a Shell's skill tree, but I would like to see more depth and meaningful build choices.
### Gameplay improvements I'd like to see
* **Dodge-attack moves:** I would like every primary weapon to have a dodge-into-attack move. Just as running attacks provide an offensive option while moving, I think there should be an attack that can be performed immediately after a dodge.
* **A more rewarding perfect dodge:** The timing of the dodge could be explored further. Similar to how a perfectly timed Harden/block rewards skilled players, a perfectly timed dodge could trigger a different animation and provide additional frames of opportunity for a counterattack. This could add another layer of skill and mastery to the combat.
Overall, Mortal Shell II has a very strong foundation. The unique weapons, distinctive Shells, beautiful environments, atmosphere, and willingness to experiment with the gameplay make it a very enjoyable experience. I hope the developers continue expanding the game while preserving the unique identity of what is already here.
