Mortal Shell 2 has a refreshingly robust set of customizations for the game’s overall feel. Through unique settings, Seals, and your preference of Shells, the game will play very differently player to player. An option that I adore is the choice between the Mortal Shell 2 Immersive or Action Camera, both of which tailor the game’s general combat feel one way or the other.
Throughout the Beta, I debated between the two, switching often after boss fight attempts, while roaming the world, and even in cramped dungeons. I’ve found both have their merits based on what you want to get out of Mortal Shell 2, and the variation is a welcome change you can make at any time.
Now that I’ve got time with the full release under my belt and have really tried both out with the revamped boss performance and new tools on offer, allow me to show you the strengths and weaknesses of both of Mortal Shell 2’s camera modes, alongside settings that help either or both.
Immersive Camera – Pros & Cons
The Immersive Camera focuses on exactly what it sounds like, in-the-moment immersion. The Immersive Camera makes the most of Mortal Shell 2’s visceral combat and stellar visuals, putting you up close and personal to every battle.
Now, especially in a faster-paced game, this could be a death sentence. The close-up camera would be a hard pass for me if it weren’t for the solid sound design of enemies and the optional danger indicator setting found right under the camera options.
With this setting enabled, enemies winding up an attack from off-screen will spawn a red marker on the screen, indicating the direction of the incoming attack. The indicator will flash white right before the attack lands, giving you extra understanding of when exactly these flanking attacks are coming.
This is an absolute godsend in both camera modes, but it almost single-handedly saves the Immersive Camera by minimizing the information lost. Since you can maintain a bead on enemies, and enemies typically vocalize right before they attack, it’s fairly simple to keep control of fights no matter the number of combatants.
Even with these practical benefits, the Immersive Camera still feels a little closed in for me. Especially in the myriad of enclosed buildings and caves that make up Mortal Shell 2, I constantly feel claustrophobic.
You could argue this is intentional, and I respect the clear artistic intent to make Mortal Shell 2’s world feel gritty, but the Immersive Camera just feels far too boxed in. All in all, if you want to feel as close to the gory glory of Mortal Shell 2’s action, the Immersive Camera might just be for you.
Action Camera – Pros & Cons
Now, for the more practically and tactically minded player, the Action Camera is your best friend. My personal choice of camera, the Action Camera, zooms out, giving you a far wider angle of the general battlefield, no matter the situation.
This is far more flexible, allowing no-frills information gathering and easier navigation. It’s hard to overstate just how much more you can see with the Action Camera enabled, and how powerful that is for a fast-paced, heavy-hitting game.
If you’re a player willing to sacrifice some style for more solid information, the Action Camera is exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re struggling to keep a lock on enemies during a battle, I can’t recommend the Action Camera enough.
Toggling on the Action Camera felt like taking shackles off, and I still feel like it’s close enough to appreciate the art and action of Moral Shell 2 without losing out on the amazing feel of combat.
The Verdict
When it comes to the debate between the Mortal Shell 2 Immersive or Action Camera, while it’s largely up to preference, I can’t argue for the Action Camera enough. The Action Camera is all benefits with no real downside, especially with the danger indicator online to cover any possible blind spots.
If you’re ever having an issue in Mortal Shell 2, just pivot the camera! It’s a small change, but it does wonders for the feel of the game. It helps with exploration and combat, and I’ve even found it helps me appreciate the beautiful vistas of Mortal Shell 2 during the quiet moments.
Now that you’ve got your camera picked, make sure you haven’t missed anything in Marrow Keep. The Troubadour’s Lute is another awesome secret hidden in the world of Mortal Shell 2, which you can find here!
