Players begin life in Mortal Shell as an overly tender slab of beef jerky, but inhabit several different bodies, or “shells,” that have unique play styles and capabilities over the course of their venture. One major facet that sets it apart is in the name - Shells. However, that isn’t to say it’s without its own distinct identity and nuances.

It’s likely safe to dub Mortal Shell as the most Souls-like of the Soulslikes, as the majority of the core gameplay elements are going to be immediately and intimately familiar to those steeped in FromSoftware’s iconic catalogue. You’ll be able to laugh your way through surgeries as you accidentally pull off legs from patients, scramble to inject them with syringes full of a substance that halts blood loss, and hammer away at rib cages in order to reach a person’s heart.It sounds gruesome, but the team at Bossa Studios handles everything with good humor and an eye on enjoyable cooperation. The controls for playing are purposefully stiff and confusing, as physics-based humor is the star of the title. You and some friends can take on the roles of “surgeons” in a goofy-looking facility, treating patients who need vital organs or limbs replaced. If anything, Surgeon Simulator 2 prides itself on being the exact opposite of what real surgery is like. Surgeon Simulator 2 is not one of those games. For example, Farming Simulator is a series that clearly dedicates itself to the pursuit of realism when it comes to tending and managing your own farm. Some simulator games pride themselves on how true-to-life their simulations can be. And have we mentioned how great the game looks? The intro sequence alone is enough to impress in terms of visuals, but Atomic Heart consistently aims to introduce new environmental styles to wow your eyes. When you’ve learned to properly combine Charles’ abilities with decent melee combat and relatively solid gunplay, mowing down the crowds of robotic opponents becomes as mindlessly enjoyable as chowing down on your favorite chips. That said, it can be a hell of a lot of fun to play. The narrative falls short in several regards, not the least of which is the manner in which the protagonist speaks and interacts with the people (and robots) around him, and the disparate nature of the gameplay elements Atomic Heart tries to blend prevents it from being a masterpiece. No, Atomic Heart is not the BioShock spiritual successor you’ve been waiting for. Let’s address the Rapture-sized elephant in the room.

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