In an era where Souls-like games have become increasingly popular, Mortal Shell on PlayStation 4 gained a cult following for its expansive world and dedication to its Dark Souls roots. As The Foundling, your goal is to defeat The Unchained and the many difficult bosses in your way, all while inhabiting new shells and upgrades to change and upgrade your playstyle. Now, after six months, Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition aims to bring the game to the PS5 bigger and better than ever.

One of the biggest draws of the Enhanced Edition of Mortal Shell comes in the game’s performance. Instead of running at 30 frames-per-second on the PS4 and PS4 Pro, the PS5 version runs at a smooth 60 frames-per-second, something fans of Souls-like games will immediately notice and appreciate during combat. Additionally, the upgrade also boasts 4K support, upgraded textures, and much faster loading times. However, the game still struggles with item and texture pop-in at times, and there are some instances of the game crashing.

One of the biggest highlights, however, comes in the form of the new PS5 DualSense enhancements, specifically the haptic feedback. As you approach new shells, the controller rumble will get more and more powerful, creating a feeling unlike anything else currently on PS5. It truly feels like the DualSense is trying to jump out of your hands and into the screen — a remarkable showcase of the power of the PS5’s flagship controller.

On the other hand, the Adaptive Trigger support falls a tad short by comparison. After using your hardening ability, your trigger will lock for a few seconds while it recharges. While great in concept, if you instinctively try to press the trigger, it will begin to creak and fight back. At times, it feels as if the triggers will break completely, ultimately creating a dangerous aversion to one of the core game mechanics.

Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition is undeniably inspired by the likes of Dark Souls, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. While the upgrade doesn’t fix every technical problem the original had, the PS5 enhancements are enough to make this version the definitive version of the game. If Demon's Souls didn’t scratch your Souls-like itch, Mortal Shell: Enhanced Edition is worth a try.

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