As the remains of humanity wither and rot, zealous foes fester in the ruins. They spare no mercy, with survival demanding superior awareness, precision and instincts. Track down hidden sanctums of devout followers and discover your true purpose.

Awakening as an empty vessel, you will enter into a shattered and twisted world where the remains of humanity wither and rot. Implored to do the bidding of the mysterious “Dark Father,” you must traverse this tattered landscape and track down hidden sanctums of devout followers. There, in Mortal Shell’s most hallowed grounds, you must overcome formidable foes and harvest the sacred glands. You won’t be truly alone when the dead litter your path: Scattered across this land are the remnant anima of lost warriors who can be inhabited to gain their unique abilities and knowledge of weapons.

The Dark Father is desperate for you to complete your task — but to what end?

Your adversaries spare no mercy, with survival demanding superior awareness, precision and instincts. Possess lost warriors, track down hidden sanctums of the devout, and face formidable foes.

This Wednesday Mortal Shell will celebrate its first year anniversary in style by releasing its highly anticipated new roguelike expansion, The Virtuous Cycle, at a special 100% discount for five days only across PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG.COM).

Between August 18 and August 23, fans can download and keep The Virtuous Cycle -- a fully fledged expansion complete with a new roguelike mode, new playable shell, and new transforming axe-katana weapon -- at no cost.

Once this promotional period ends, the DLC will return to its MSRP of $7.99 / €6.99 / £6.99.

“Since we launched Mortal Shell back in August 2020 we have been thinking about how to give our fans something truly special that demonstrates our sincere appreciation for their support,” said Kiron Ramdewar, Head of PC and Console at Mortal Shell’s publisher Playstack.

He added: “The Virtuous Cycle Expansion has been packed with content that fans of the genre will love, and provides a new unique way to experience the rich Mortal Shell universe. We can't wait to see how new and old players will tackle our new roguelike mode when venturing into the depths of Fallgrim”.

The Virtuous Cycle reinvents your journey through Fallgrim and beyond as adversaries cycle and shuffle upon each death. Demanding and brutal as ever, now you can never be sure what lies ahead.

Scattered across the land are pillars that will bestow new talents for you to inherit. With more than 100 new abilities to discover and combine together - from exotic weapon enhancements to entirely new combat maneuvers - players are free to create and develop their very own combat style.

The Virtuous Cycle also grants players command over Hadern, once your elusive teacher, now yours to master as Mortal Shell’s fifth possessable Shell. Playable within both Mortal Shell’s main campaign and The Virtuous Cycle, Hadern’s unique skill tree unlocks a new domain of innate talents, from dagger mastery to an intimidating ability to absorb punishment.

Also unearthed in the expansion is the Axatana, Fallgrim’s most venerable weapon. In your hands the Axatana bends to your will, assembling itself into a supreme heavy axe when the moment calls, and detaching into lightning-fast dual katanas when you desire. Unique movesets for both stances are yours to unlock.

Meanwhile, a Mortal Shell Twitch Drops campaign is now underway, offering rare and special in-game rewards for those who watch the new expansion on Twitch. Rewards include a darker new look for the Foundling, an exclusive Axatana skin, and a brand new playable Lute.

Key Features

• Discover “Shells” to Suit Your Playstyle – The lost remains of defeated warriors are yours to unearth. Awaken these Mortal Shells, occupy their bodies and significantly widen your understanding of different forms of combat. Inhabit a Shell that best fits your style and utilizes their own unique mastery of skills and weapon upgrades.
• Iron Sharpens Iron – Combat is strategic and deliberate. Survival demands superior awareness, precision and instincts. You must commit your sword only when an opportunity opens. Calculate your parries to unleash devastating counterblows.
• Non-linear Campaign – Draw your own path across marsh-infested lowlands, through a gargantuan cathedral of obsidian rock, and into an ancient crypt frozen into the crest of a mountain.
• Deep Upgrade Paths – The stronger your connection to each Mortal Shell grows, the better you can harness their innate talents. Craft unique upgrades, sharpen your blade with acid, and study dark arcane abilities that imbue your attacks with supernatural devastation.
• Face Haunting Foes – Your path is guarded by desperate adversaries, devoted to inscrutable gods. Behold creatures both pitiable and grotesque, but do not let fear halt your journey. Muster your courage and face them down.
• Developed by AAA Veterans – Mortal Shell has been developed by a coalition of seasoned veterans with an unbridled passion for the soulslike genre.

Mortal Shell is currently available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Epic Game Store) for $29.99/€29.99/ £24.99.