Cold Symmetry has seized one of the rare quiet weeks in the latter half of 2026 to launch its ambitious sequel to the largely overlooked 2020 Soulslike, Mortal Shell. The new title drops this Thursday, unless you opted for early access, in which case it’s already live. Paired with The Sinking City 2 and the Steins;Gate Re:Boot remaster, it caps off the summer backlog.
At the same moment, The Lantern of the Laughless Saint deserves attention. Marketed as a low‑fidelity tribute to Xbox‑era RPGs such as The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, the game places you on a mysterious island dominated by a towering structure. Steam’s synopsis urges players to confront the burden of human longing and choose what merits salvation as the world’s hidden light awakens.
The indie studio has crafted an open‑world RPG inspired by Morrowind, guiding players through the enigma of a silent tower perched on an island.
The Lantern of the Laughless Saint launches today—interested? pic.twitter.com/bowyDk09mH
In recent weeks, a game that has been popping up across social feeds with unsettling, quirky gameplay clips has captured the attention of many players. Its standout feature is a fully cooperative mode that lets friends dive into an unrestricted, sandbox world where the only limits are your imagination. According to its developer, the experience mirrors the freedom found in classic titles like The Scrolls—pick up, steal, or eliminate anything you wish—while offering dynamic NPC conversations that evolve with your choices. The skill progression system is reminiscent of Morrowind, allowing characters to level up in any discipline, and players can even push the limits by over‑fortifying abilities to perform outrageous feats such as leaping across the map.
Kotaku’s “The Week In Games” provides a weekly roundup of noteworthy, intriguing, and major video‑game releases slated for the upcoming seven days. Readers are encouraged to comment with additional launch dates that may not have been covered in the article.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is Mortal Shell 2 released and is it available for early access?
Mortal Shell 2 launched on Thursday, 2026-08-17. Players who opted for early access can already play it, while the rest of the community gained access on the same day.
What makes The Lantern of the Laughless Saint reminiscent of Morrowind?
The game adopts an open‑world design, a sprawling island setting, and a focus on exploration and player choice, all hallmarks of the 2002 classic. Its low‑fidelity graphics and emphasis on narrative over flashy visuals also echo the spirit of early Elder Scrolls titles.
How does the release of Mortal Shell 2 alongside other titles affect the Soulslike genre?
By arriving after a period of few major releases, Mortal Shell 2 brings fresh polish and a refined combat system that could set new standards for indie Soulslikes. Its timing, paired with high‑profile releases like The Sinking City 2 and Steins;Gate Re:Boot, positions it to attract both veterans and newcomers, potentially reshaping expectations for future sequels.
News Source: Kotaku
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