Select Games to Compare
Mortal Shell II vs Starfield
| close | close |
|---|---|
| shopping_cart Where to Buy | |
| info General Information | |
| Release Date | |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Sep 6, 2023 |
| Developer | |
| Cold Symmetry | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Publisher | |
| Playstack | Bethesda Softworks |
| Genre(s) | |
| Action RPG, Soulslike | Action RPG, Open World, Sci-Fi, Space Exploration |
| Engine | |
| Unreal Engine 5 | Creation Engine 2 |
| stars Ratings & Price | |
| Content Rating | |
| Mature | Mature 17+ |
| Avg. User Rating | |
| 4.8 / 5.0 | 3.7 / 5.0 |
| Current Price (USD) | |
| $49.99 | $69.99 |
|
|
|
| tune Key Specs | |
| Quick Highlights | |
|
|
| sports_esports Gameplay & Mechanics | |
| Companions/Followers | |
|
|
| Key Collectibles | |
|
|
| Key Themes | |
|
|
| colorize Combat & Gear | |
| Weapons Overview | |
|
|
| Armor / Gear Sets | |
|
|
| Outfits/Customization | |
|
|
| trending_up Progression & Upgrades | |
| Skills & Progression | |
|
The core progression revolves around possessing Shells—the remains of fallen warriors—and unlocking their unique memory-based abilities. A major paradigm shift is the removal of the stamina bar, allowing for unrestricted combat flow. Players now focus on 'Resolve' to trigger powerful weapon abilities and 'Posture' management to break enemy defenses. Upgrades extend to both the Harbinger’s innate traits and the Shells' individual skill trees. Additionally, a deep weapon customization system allows players to slot 'Tarstones' (similar to Grease/Infusions) to add elemental effects like poison or fire to their gear. |
Player progression uses a skill system divided into five trees: Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech. Each skill has multiple ranks that are unlocked by spending skill points (earned by leveling up) and then completing in-game challenges related to that skill. Research projects at workbenches unlock new crafting recipes for weapon mods, suit/pack/helmet mods, outpost components, and chems/food. Powers, akin to space magic, are unlocked by finding and interacting with alien temples. |
| public World & Exploration | |
| World & Level Design | |
|
Mortal Shell II features an interconnected open world that is described as 'expansive yet deliberately compact.' This design philosophy prioritizes density over distance, ensuring that winding footpaths lead directly to meaningful encounters or upgrades rather than empty space. Key regions include the central Marrow Keep hub, the haunting Citadels of Bone, the treacherous Forbidden Forests, and the desolate Icy Graves. The map serves as a gateway to over 60 distinct dungeons, offering a level of verticality and secret-finding reminiscent of classic Metroidvanias. |
N/A |
| Playable Vehicles | |
|
|
| Notable Fauna/Mounts | |
|
|
|
|
|
| book Story & Characters | |
| Main Characters | |
|
|
| Example Missions | |
|
|
| people Multiplayer | |
| Multiplayer Details | |
|
The title remains a dedicated single-player Dark Fantasy Action RPG. There are no current plans for competitive PvP or cooperative modes, as the design focuses on the individual's mastery of the shell-swapping and parry mechanics within the open-world environment. |
Starfield is a single-player only experience. It does not feature any cooperative or competitive multiplayer modes. |
| extension Editions & DLC | |
| Available Editions | |
|
Three primary tiers are available. The Standard Edition ($49.99) includes the base game. The Revered Edition ($69.99) is a physical collector's package featuring a bespoke collector’s box, a SteelBook case, an art book, and fine art prints. Pre-order bonuses for all editions include exclusive digital Harbinger skins: the Obsidian and Skeletal variants. A PC-exclusive Open Beta is scheduled for Summer 2026 for those who register via the official website or are enrolled in the developer newsletter. |
Available in Standard Edition, Premium Edition (included 'Shattered Space' story expansion upon release, Constellation Skin Pack, digital artbook & soundtrack, and 5 days early access), and the Constellation Edition (physical collector's edition with a SteelBook display case, Constellation patch, Chronomark watch & case, credit stick with game code, and all Premium Edition digital content). |
| Post-Launch Content / DLC | |
|
While no specific DLC has been detailed yet, the 'standalone' branding of the sequel suggests a complete initial experience. However, based on the previous game's 'Virtuous Cycle' DLC, fans expect post-launch support featuring new Shells, roguelike modes, or expanded weapon rosters. The presence of 'Shell' slots in the UI hints at potential future expansions. |
The first major story expansion, 'Shattered Space,' is confirmed and included in the Premium/Constellation Editions, expected in Fall 2024. Bethesda has also stated plans for ongoing support with new content, features, and official mod support (Creations). |
| help_outline FAQ | |
| Frequently Asked Questions | |
|
|
| build Technical Details | |
| Graphics & Visual Fidelity | |
|
Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game utilizes Nanite for high-fidelity geometry and Lumen for real-time global illumination. Visual highlights include improved volumetric lighting, a striking red-leaf arena, and a significantly improved draw distance. The camera perspective is tighter and more 'over-the-shoulder,' focusing on the impact of finishers and parries. |
Developed on Creation Engine 2, Starfield showcases Bethesda's 'NASA-Punk' art style, blending realistic near-future technology with rugged, functional designs. It features detailed planetary surfaces, diverse biomes, impressive lighting (especially in space and during sunrises/sets on planets), and detailed character/ship models. The scale of the universe and seamless transitions from space to planet (with a loading screen) are key visual aspects. |
| Audio & Soundtrack | |
|
The soundtrack maintains the series' heavy-metal and dark atmospheric roots. Combat encounters are punctuated by visceral sound effects—bone-crunching impacts and high-velocity firearm reports. The ambient audio design emphasizes the 'haunting and eerie' nature of the world, with unique soundscapes for each of the four main environmental regions. |
Original score composed by Inon Zur, featuring sweeping orchestral themes that evoke a sense of wonder, exploration, and epic adventure. Music is dynamic and adapts to gameplay situations. Sound design focuses on realistic weapon effects, spaceship sounds (engines, grav jumps, combat), and diverse alien creature vocalizations and environmental ambiances. |
| User Interface (UI/UX) | |
|
The HUD has been streamlined to maximize immersion during open-world battles. It features clear tabs for Shells, Weapons, and Sidearms. Inventory management allows for four quick-access slots for consumables like Moonshine. Critical UI elements include counters for Tar (souls) and Glimpses in the top-right, and a 'Golden Flash' visual indicator for successful parries. |
Features a clean, sci-fi 'NASA-Punk' aesthetic HUD displaying health, oxygen, ammo, and a compass. Menus for inventory (grid-based), skills, ship management, starmap, and missions are navigated through a wrist-mounted device interface. Scanning mode highlights resources, flora, fauna, and points of interest. |
| Accessibility Options | |
|
The removal of stamina serves as a soft accessibility feature, lowering the mechanical barrier of entry for resource management while retaining difficulty through timing. The game includes customizable controls, subtitle scaling, and visual cues for the parry system (Golden Flash) to assist players with different needs. |
Includes options for subtitle customization (size, background, speaker names), control remapping (PC), adjustable text size, aim assist toggle, options to change hold-to-activate to a toggle, large menu fonts, and various gameplay settings to tweak difficulty and visual effects like motion blur and film grain. |
| video_library Media Links | |
| Gameplay Video | |
| launchWatch | launchWatch |
| Walkthrough/Guide | |
| launchView | launchView |
| settings_applications System Requirements | |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (Low-Medium) CPU: 8 cores recommended for background asset decompression. CPU (Laptop): High-clock mobile chips needed for parity. GPU: 8GB VRAM is the hard floor for texture streaming. GPU (Laptop): Ensures stable framerates in boss arenas. RAM: Standard for modern UE5 titles. Storage: Mandatory SSD requirement. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-10700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8GB / AMD Radeon RX 6600 8GB laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i7-11800H / Ryzen 7 5800H laptop_windowsGPU (L): RTX 3060 Laptop (95W+) layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 30 GB SSD | — |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Recommended (1080p ~60 FPS, High Preset, likely with FSR/DLSS Quality) (High Preset (FSR/DLSS Quality often needed for 60 FPS)) CPU: Recommended desktop CPU for 1080p at 60 FPS. CPU (Laptop): Estimated mid-range to high-end laptop CPUs due to CPU intensity. GPU: Recommended desktop GPU for 1080p at 60 FPS on High, often with upscaling. GPU (Laptop): Estimated performance-focused laptop GPUs. 8GB VRAM is crucial. RAM: 16GB RAM strongly recommended. Storage: NVMe SSD strongly recommended. | |
| — | memoryCPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X or Intel Core i5-10600K developer_boardGPU: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16GB) or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 (8GB) / RTX 3060 Ti (8GB) laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 7 5800H / Intel Core i7-11800H equivalent or better. **Modern Ryzen 7/9 HS/HX series or Intel Core i7/i9 H/HX series are ideal.** laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) / RTX 4060 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) or AMD Radeon RX 6700M/6800S. **An RTX 3070 Ti Mobile or RTX 4070 Mobile would offer a more consistent 60 FPS+ at 1080p High.** layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 125 GB NVMe SSD |
| 1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (1080p ~30 FPS, Low Preset) (Low Preset) CPU: Minimum desktop CPU for 1080p at lower settings. CPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop CPU equivalent. Game is very CPU heavy. GPU: Minimum desktop GPU for 1080p at lower settings. GPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop GPUs. 6GB+ VRAM highly recommended even at 1080p. RAM: Minimum RAM requirement. Storage: SSD is mandatory. | |
| — | memoryCPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K developer_boardGPU: AMD Radeon RX 5700 (8GB) or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (8GB) laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 5 4600H / Intel Core i5-10500H equivalent or better. **A Ryzen 5 5600H / i5-11400H would be a more realistic minimum due to CPU demands.** laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Mobile (6GB) / RTX 3050 Ti Mobile (4GB, High TGP) or AMD Radeon RX 6600M. **An RTX 3060 Mobile or RTX 4050 Mobile (High TGP) is strongly advised for a more stable 1080p Low/Medium experience.** layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 125 GB SSD |
| 1440p (QHD/2K) - Recommended (High/Ultra) CPU: High IPC required for complex enemy AI in open areas. CPU (Laptop): Top-tier mobile performance. GPU: Enables Lumen global illumination. GPU (Laptop): Frame generation helps maintain 60fps at high resolutions. RAM: Provides headroom for 4K texture streaming. Storage: PCIe Gen 4 recommended. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i9-12900K / AMD Ryzen 7 7700X developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA RTX 3080 / AMD RX 6800 XT laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-13900H / Ryzen 9 7945HX laptop_windowsGPU (L): RTX 4080 Laptop layersRAM: 32 GB saveStorage (Tier): 30 GB NVMe SSD | — |
| 1440p (QHD/2K) - High (1440p ~60 FPS, High/Ultra Preset with FSR/DLSS Quality/Balanced) (High/Ultra Preset (FSR/DLSS Quality or Balanced recommended)) CPU: Desktop CPU for 1440p at 60 FPS. CPU (Laptop): Estimated high-end laptop CPUs. GPU: Desktop GPU for 1440p at 60 FPS, upscaling is key. GPU (Laptop): Estimated high-performance laptop GPUs. 10GB+ VRAM strongly recommended, 8GB is absolute minimum with aggressive upscaling. RAM: 16GB RAM required, 32GB strongly recommended for smoother 1440p. Storage: NVMe SSD strongly recommended. | |
| — | memoryCPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or Intel Core i7-12700K developer_boardGPU: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT (16GB) / RX 7800 XT (16GB) or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 (10GB) / RTX 4070 (12GB) laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS/HX / Intel Core i7-12700H or better. **Modern Ryzen 9 HS/HX series or Intel Core i9 H/HX series are optimal.** laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Mobile (10GB/16GB, High TGP) / RTX 4070 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) or AMD Radeon RX 6800M/6850M XT. **An RTX 3080 Ti Mobile or RTX 4080 Mobile (12GB+) would provide a much smoother 1440p High/Ultra experience.** layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 125 GB NVMe SSD |
| 2160p (UHD/4K) - Ultra/Epic (Epic with Ray Tracing) CPU: 3D V-Cache significantly improves 1% lows. CPU (Laptop): Desktop-class mobile CPU. GPU: Required for native 4K with full Lumen effects. GPU (Laptop): The only mobile solution for 4K Epic settings. RAM: Dual-channel high-speed memory recommended. Storage: DirectStorage utilized for faster loading. | |
memoryCPU: Intel Core i9-14900K / AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090 / AMD RX 7900 XTX laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-14980HX laptop_windowsGPU (L): RTX 4090 Laptop (175W) layersRAM: 32 GB saveStorage (Tier): 30 GB NVMe SSD | — |
| 2160p (UHD/4K) - Ultra (2160p/4K ~30-60 FPS, Medium/High Preset with FSR/DLSS Performance/Balanced) (Medium/High Preset, FSR/DLSS Performance/Balanced (Native 4K Ultra 60FPS is exceptionally demanding)) CPU: Desktop CPU recommendation for 4K. CPU (Laptop): Top-tier laptop CPUs essential. GPU: Desktop GPU recommendation for a playable 4K experience, heavily reliant on upscaling. GPU (Laptop): Flagship laptop GPUs essential. 12GB+ VRAM absolutely critical, 16GB ideal. RAM: 32GB RAM very strongly recommended for 4K. Storage: NVMe SSD required. | |
| — | memoryCPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D or Intel Core i9-12900K/13700K developer_boardGPU: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT (20GB) or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER (16GB) / RTX 4080 (16GB) laptop_macCPU (L): AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS/HX / Intel Core i9-13900HX or better. **Flagship Intel Core i9 HX / AMD Ryzen 9 HX series (e.g., 14900HX, 7945HX3D) required.** laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Mobile (12GB, Max TGP) / RTX 4090 Mobile (16GB, Max TGP). **Even the RTX 4090 Mobile will rely heavily on DLSS (Performance/Ultra Performance) for 4K High settings at ~60FPS. A hypothetical next-gen flagship (e.g., RTX 5080/5090 Mobile or AMD equivalent) would be targeted for a more comfortable native 4K experience or higher framerates with advanced features. (Highly Speculative)** layersRAM: 16 GB saveStorage (Tier): 125 GB NVMe SSD |
| save Overall Storage | |
| Spec: 30 GB SSD Space Note: Mechanical HDDs will cause severe stuttering during open-world traversal. Type: SSD | Spec: 125 GB available space (SSD Required). Note: An NVMe SSD is strongly recommended for the best experience due to asset streaming and load times. Type: SSD |
| desktop_windows Operating System | |
| Spec: Windows 10/11 64-bit Explanation: DirectX 12 Agility SDK support is mandatory for engine features. | Spec: Windows 10 version 21H1 (10.0.19043) or Windows 11 Explanation: 64-bit Windows 10 (specified version or newer) or Windows 11 required. |
| gamepad DirectX Version | |
| Spec: Version 12 Explanation: Required for Nanite and Lumen lighting pipelines. | Spec: DirectX 12 Explanation: DirectX 12 API is required. |
| info_outline Other Game Notes | |
|
|
| build Optimization Details | |
|
|
| laptop Laptop Considerations | |
|
|
info_outline Feature details based on available data. System requirements and performance estimates may vary.
laptop_chromebook Laptop Recommendations
Common Recommendations (Handles All Compared Games)
For Mortal Shell II Specifically
For Starfield Specifically
info_outline Laptop recommendations are estimates based on available component benchmarks and game requirements. Actual performance may vary depending on settings, drivers, cooling, power limits, etc. Prices and availability subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.