Mortal Shell 2: How to adjust difficulty and modes

Mortal Shell 2 places its difficulty options inside the game world rather than in a settings menu. Players can find three in-game ways to change challenge: the Slayer Seal to reduce difficulty, Night Mode to raise it, and New Game Plus to replay with carried progress and tougher enemies. All options are optional and appear as items or triggers in the environment.

The Slayer Seal is located early in Marrow Keep. From the beacon in the Keep, head toward Merrick, then turn right and follow the path to a dead end; the seal sits to the left of that dead end. After claiming it, the item appears under the Seals tab in the inventory. Equipping the Slayer Seal grants abilities that strengthen ranged attacks and ripostes, which makes encounters easier. The game warns that equipping the seal permanently disables trophies and achievements on that save file. Players can keep the item in inventory without equipping it if they want the option without locking achievements.

Night Mode requires the Gloombound Flame, found in the arena of the first boss fight below the Widow’s Overlook beacon. After defeating the boss, the flame lies on the right side of the arena beside a dead body and is added to the Keys tab when picked up. Bring the flame to the top of Marrow Keep via the lift and use it on the extinguished lantern there. Interacting with the lantern triggers a “Call Forth the Night” prompt; confirming it activates Night Mode. Night Mode changes the game from day to night, increases enemy aggression and damage, opens areas and content that do not appear in normal play, and offers larger rewards.

New Game Plus becomes available automatically after completing the main story. Starting an NG+ run carries over all Shells, weapons and gear into a fresh playthrough while increasing enemy health and damage across the game. NG+ preserves player progress and lets players test developed loadouts against stronger foes.

None of these options are required to complete the game. Each choice carries a trade-off: the Slayer Seal eases combat but disables achievements on that save, Night Mode raises challenge while adding exclusive content and rewards, and New Game Plus raises enemy power while keeping player equipment. Decide whether to equip the Slayer Seal before activating it, because the achievement lock cannot be reversed for that save file.