At first glance Mortal Shell will look very familiar to anyone who's played on of From Software's Souls games, but dig a little deeper and you'll find that developer Cold Symmetry hasn't just followed a familiar path - it's added a couple of interesting twists and turns which make Mortal Shell a new take on a much-loved genre.
But, yes, it definitely has a lot in common the Souls games and their ilk. The medieval world of Mortal Shell is dark, brooding and punishing. The landscape is littered with enemies that can fell you in a blow or two. Your health bar is backed up by a stamina bar that must also be taken care of. Death may very well cost you everything. You'll feel that familiar wash of relief when you reach a save point.
Beyond those familiar tropes, however, is an interesting progression system. Within the game's bleak environment you'll find four shells - suits of armour, basically - which you can inhabit. They'll give you a quick boost, but as you learn more you'll unlock unique abilities in each and be able to level them up, switching between them as you go.
Another cool feature is 'hardening'. At any moment you can turn to stone, ensuring that any incoming blows will bounce off you and potentially leaving their deliverer staggering and vulnerable. In a game where leaving yourself exposed can cost you dearly, it's an interesting and welcome gameplay mechanism to be mastered.