Mortal Shell II Release Date: Advanced Access, Release Time, Open Beta

Mortal Shell II launches on August 20, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. If you pick up the Devout Edition, you can jump in up to 72 hours earlier from August 17.

Six years after the original, Cold Symmetry is going much bigger this time: eight playable Shells, more than 60 dungeons, a compact interconnected open world, and faster combat with no stamina bar holding you back.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Mortal Shell II release date, release time, Advanced Access, platforms, and Open Beta before launch.

Mortal Shell II Release Date at a Glance

Event	Date
Mortal Shell II revealed	June 6, 2025
PC Open Beta launched	June 5, 2026
Release date & pre-orders announced	July 8, 2026
PS5 & Xbox Open Beta launched	July 31, 2026
Devout Edition Advanced Access	August 17, 2026
Worldwide release	August 20, 2026

Mortal Shell II was first revealed at Summer Game Fest 2025 with a broad 2026 release window. That wait is almost over: the full digital game arrives worldwide on August 20, 2026, across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

 

Mortal Shell II vs. Mortal Shell Release Dates

There is a fun bit of timing here. The original Mortal Shell launched on August 18, 2020, while Mortal Shell II arrives on August 20, 2026—almost exactly six years later.

Game	Release Date
Mortal Shell	August 18, 2020
Mortal Shell II	August 20, 2026

The sequel is much more ambitious than simply giving the first game a bigger coat of paint. The original Mortal Shell was a compact, deliberate action RPG built around possessing fallen warriors and mastering the Shell system. Mortal Shell II keeps that identity but opens things up with a larger interconnected world, eight playable Shells, deeper weapons, and more than 60 dungeons to explore.

 

Can You Play Mortal Shell II Early?

Yes. The Devout Edition includes up to 72 hours of Advanced Access, letting you start from August 17, 2026, instead of waiting for the general August 20 release.

Here’s how the two digital editions compare in the US:

Edition	US Price	Advanced Access
Standard Edition	$49.99	No
Devout Edition	$59.99	Up to 72 hours

The Devout Edition also comes with an exclusive Obsidian skin set for all eight playable Shells. Pre-orders include the Skeletal and Obsidian Harbinger skins as an additional bonus.

If getting into the game three days early matters to you, Devout is the obvious choice. If not, the Standard Edition already gives you the full experience from August 20, so there is no need to spend extra purely for the earlier start.

Once you know which version fits you, price is probably the next thing worth comparing. If Mortal Shell II is already sitting near the top of your August backlog, check LDShop for a Mortal Shell II key before launch. You are able to pick up the game at a more wallet-friendly price and have everything sorted before it is time to possess your first Shell.

 

What Time Does Mortal Shell II Release?

The worldwide launch is set for August 20 across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam, with no separate regional or platform-specific rollout announced so far.

For an exact time, PlayStation currently gives us the clearest clue. The PS5 Standard Edition unlocks at 13:00 UTC on August 20, while the Devout Edition unlocks at 13:00 UTC on August 17.

Based on that schedule, here is when Mortal Shell II should go live:

Region	Standard Edition	Devout Edition
US West Coast	Aug. 20, 6:00 AM PDT	Aug. 17, 6:00 AM PDT
US East Coast	Aug. 20, 9:00 AM EDT	Aug. 17, 9:00 AM EDT
UK	Aug. 20, 2:00 PM BST	Aug. 17, 2:00 PM BST
Central Europe	Aug. 20, 3:00 PM CEST	Aug. 17, 3:00 PM CEST
Singapore / UTC+8	Aug. 20, 9:00 PM	Aug. 17, 9:00 PM
Japan	Aug. 20, 10:00 PM JST	Aug. 17, 10:00 PM JST

 

What Platforms Is Mortal Shell II On?

Mortal Shell II launches on:

PC via Steam

PlayStation 5

Xbox Series X|S

There are currently no announced PS4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch versions. Both the official launch announcement and the current storefronts focus entirely on current-generation consoles and PC.

PS5 players also get PS5 Pro Enhanced support, which is already listed on the PlayStation Store.

 

Is There a Mortal Shell II Open Beta?

Yes, and you can try it without buying the game first.

The PC Open Beta launched on June 5, followed by the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions on July 31. It covers the opening hours of the full game, taking you from the Prologue into an early explorable section of the open world.

There is quite a bit to poke at here. You can possess fallen Shells, cleanse beacons, explore optional dungeons, take on hidden mini-bosses and challenges, and start getting used to the sequel's much faster combat.

The beta also gives you something for launch. Playing it unlocks The Flayed Harbinger cosmetic in the full game, while progressing beyond Marrow Keep unlocks the option to skip the Prologue when you start the finished version.

 

What Is New in Mortal Shell II?

You do not need to play Mortal Shell first. Mortal Shell II is a standalone sequel, so newcomers can start here without doing six years of homework first.

The biggest upgrade is scale. Instead of simply expanding the old formula, Mortal Shell II moves into a deliberately compact but interconnected open world filled with more than 60 dungeons. Eight different Shells give you different abilities and ways to shape your combat style.

Combat has changed just as much.

The stamina gauge is gone, allowing you to attack and reposition without constantly waiting for a bar to refill. Execution options have also been expanded, while the weapon system offers deeper upgrade paths and even sidearms, including medieval firearms.

For me, removing stamina is probably the most interesting change. The original had a wonderfully heavy feel, but fights could sometimes become a little too cautious. Mortal Shell II looks much more willing to let you stay aggressive while keeping the dangerous, high-commitment combat that gave the first game its personality.

 

Mortal Shell II Release Date FAQ

 

Conclusion

Mortal Shell II launches August 20, 2026, with Devout Edition Advanced Access starting August 17. With eight Shells, 60+ dungeons, a bigger interconnected world, and faster stamina-free combat, this is shaping up to be a much more ambitious sequel than the 2020 original.

Not sure whether it is your kind of punishment? Give the free Open Beta a spin first. August 20 will be here soon enough.