Last year’s Mortal Shell was one of my favorite games that I had the chance to play in 2020. Its combat was unforgiving and its atmosphere intriguing, to say the least. I didn’t have many gripes with it and felt that it did a fantastic job, being an indie-created game. The game recently received a newly released version called Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition which offered updated visuals and frame rates to make it the definitive way to play it.

This specific review will be a lite take that solely focuses on these new enhancements. If you’d like to read our full review of the initial release of Mortal Shell, then click right here! There’s a bit to unpack with this new update so if you are thinking about picking this up, I’d check out both reviews for sure. How did it stack up to the last-gen version? Let’s find out!

Gameplay

Mortal Shell’s fantastic gameplay is somehow greater through this Enhanced Edition. Combat feels buttery-smooth and I found myself performing even better against foes than I did on last-gen. I’ve chalked it up to the frames being much smoother in combat and the visuals themselves being clearer. It made it easier for me to spot the best chances to either attack or dodge. It’s great because I found it to be as if I was experiencing the game again for the first time.

I did notice some drops in frames at random times, though. Most didn’t take place during combat but would instead happen just while I’d be running in areas with a few enemies around. I can’t really say that I remember frames dropping on the original version so it caught my eye instantly when it would slow down. I played this on the Xbox Series S which boasts 4k at 30fps but I definitely noticed the frames at times even reach what looked like 60fps. So it’s definitely a mixed bag at least when playing on the Series S.

Visuals

Whenever a definitive or remaster comes out, there are always things that the new version does better and things that the old version did better. In Mortal Shell’s case, the Enhanced Edition offers a fantastic new 4k resolution that really highlights the fantastic look and feel of Fall Grim and its inhabitants. Like most of everything else, the shell’s armor is heavily detailed and more beautiful to look at than before. Even the Foundling himself has gotten a bit of a makeover with more detail displayed about his bone-like skin.

Unfortunately, I did find some things that feel like a backtrack. Even though there is for sure more detail throughout the game, there are spots where it seems to look a little muddier than before. Just look at the rocks on the left of both photos and the dirt beneath the character’s feet. To me at least, the superior textures for those are on the PS4. The draw-distance in the background and the detail on the shell, however, is definitely better on the Series S version.

Another issue you may spot is in the Series S photo is located at the fallen tree to the left. There’s a real issue with texture pop-in that also wasn’t present in the original version. This happens often and I even would see enemies drop from the sky or pop in very often. These issues aren’t huge and will most likely get patched in the near future but it stinks that they’re even present.

Replayability

Because of its new visual upgrade and smoother framerate during combat, Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition definitely has the attractiveness to garner more playthroughs. Its small hiccups can easily be patched, making this the best way to play for sure.

What It Could Have Done Better

As I stated above, there are small issues with framerates being unstable as well as texture and enemy pop-in. I’d imagine that we’ll continue to see updates for the game that will smooth these small issues out and bring it full-circle. Although I personally found some of the new texture details to be somehow worse, I feel these are subjective so I won’t hold it over the game too much.

Verdict

While playing this new version of the game, I decided that my review would focus solely on the new enhancements. With that being said, my score too will only reflect my thoughts on the newly updated components found within Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition and in no way reflect the entire game’s full package. While I find most of the new updates well-done, there are some areas that are in need of a pick-me-up. That being said, it’s still the best way to play the game and I believe that in time it could be even better.