Elden Ring vs Mortal Shell 2: gameplay, content and value compared
Elden Ring and Mortal Shell 2 are both action role-playing games built around deliberate, punishing combat, but they sit at opposite ends of the scale in scope and age. Elden Ring, released in 2022 and still receiving content in 2026, is a vast open-world soulslike with a sprawling map, hundreds of weapons and a newly released Tarnished Edition that adds fresh classes, gear and cosmetic items. Mortal Shell 2, released in August 2026, is a tighter, more contained experience that focuses on a smaller number of highly customisable weapons and sidearms, each with a deep upgrade system built around Tarstones. The comparison is uneven because the sources cover Elden Ring’s new content in detail while Mortal Shell 2’s sources are narrower, but the fundamental difference is clear: one is a long-running, enormous world you can keep returning to, the other is a focused, recent release built around mastering a compact toolkit.
What they are Elden Ring is a FromSoftware open-world soulslike that originally launched in 2022 and has since received the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion and, in August 2026, the Tarnished Edition. The Tarnished Edition adds two new starting classes (Idus Knight and Heavy Knight), new weapons such as the Idus Sword, Hefty Scimitar, Backhand Blades, Thrusting Shield and Great Katana, three Spectral Steed Attire skins for Torrent, and new NPC invasion events in Caelid and Leyndell. The Tarnished Edition is also the version releasing on Nintendo Switch 2 on 28 August 2026, and it includes both the base game and the Tarnished Pack DLC by default. Patch 1.17, released on the same date, added balance changes and laid the groundwork for the DLC.
Mortal Shell 2 is a soulslike developed by Cold Symmetry, released on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It is a direct sequel that returns players to the world of Fallgrim. The game features eight main weapons and eight sidearms, each of which can be upgraded with Tarstones—special items that grant different effects and abilities. There are 75 Tarstones in total, hidden across the game’s regions and dungeons, and they require Resolve to activate. The game also includes Shells (playable character bodies) that alter how weapons perform.
Gameplay Elden Ring’s combat is methodical and timing-dependent, with a focus on dodging, blocking and punishing enemy openings. The Tarnished Edition adds new starting classes that come with unique armour sets and weapons, but these can also be found or purchased in the world by existing characters. The game includes a mounted steed, Torrent, who can now be given different appearances via Spectral Steed Attire found in Stormveil Castle, Liurnia of the Lakes and Altus Plateau. The patch 1.17 also introduced a range of balance adjustments to weapons and skills. On Nintendo Switch 2, Elden Ring runs at a mostly consistent 30 frames per second in docked mode, with occasional frame rate drops that are not considered distracting or unplayable, though it does not reach the 60fps of the PC, Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 versions.
Mortal Shell 2’s combat revolves around a smaller set of weapons that each have distinct movesets and can be customised with Tarstones. The Axatana, a katana-axe hybrid, is considered the strongest weapon due to its fluidity and ability to switch forms, though there is a slight delay when swapping. The game features a system called Target Steering, which by default pulls attacks toward the nearest enemy; players can adjust this in the settings by toggling “Target Steering” and “Enable Free Aim” to reduce unwanted auto-aiming. The sources do not specify the game’s frame rate or performance targets.
Content and story Elden Ring’s Tarnished Edition adds two new NPC invasion events, one in Caelid and one in Leyndell (the latter does not occur after the area changes to Leyndell, Ashen Capital). The new weapons and armour sets are scattered across the Lands Between, and the three Torrent skins are found in specific locations tied to major bosses or areas. The sources do not describe any new story content beyond these invasions. The game’s original narrative, set in the Lands Between, remains unchanged.
Mortal Shell 2’s sources focus entirely on gameplay systems and item locations. The game includes an interactive map that tracks beacons, dungeons, weapons, shells, Tarstones, quest items and upgrade materials. The sources do not describe the game’s story or setting beyond mentioning the world of Fallgrim.
Platforms and performance Elden Ring is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and, as of the Tarnished Edition, Nintendo Switch 2. On Switch 2, the game runs at a consistent 30fps in docked mode, with occasional frame rate drops that are not severe enough to make the game unplayable. The resolution and frame rate targets have not been officially confirmed by Bandai Namco. The sources do not discuss performance on other platforms.
Mortal Shell 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The sources do not provide any performance details, frame rate targets or resolution information.
Price and value The sources do not state the price of either game. Elden Ring’s Tarnished Edition includes the base game and the Tarnished Pack DLC, and is the version releasing on Switch 2. The Tarnished Pack DLC is also available separately for existing owners of the base game. Mortal Shell 2’s sources do not mention pricing or editions.
Which one to pick Pick Elden Ring if you want a massive, long-lived open world with hundreds of hours of content, frequent updates, a thriving multiplayer community and the ability to play on the go with the Switch 2 version. The Tarnished Edition offers a reason to return or start fresh, and the game’s performance on Switch 2, while not at 60fps, is stable enough for the experience.
Pick Mortal Shell 2 if you prefer a more focused, recently released soulslike with a smaller number of deeply customisable weapons and a heavy emphasis on mastering a compact toolkit. The Tarstone system offers meaningful build variety, and the game is available on current-generation consoles and PC with no legacy compromises.
What is still unconfirmed Neither game’s price is confirmed in the sources. Elden Ring’s exact resolution and frame rate targets on Switch 2 have not been officially stated. Mortal Shell 2’s performance targets, frame rate, resolution and any potential future DLC or updates are not mentioned in the sources. The sources also do not confirm whether Mortal Shell 2 has any multiplayer or cooperative features.