Mortal Shell 2 Achievements: Full 53-Entry Steam Checklist

This article answers what the complete 53-entry Steam achievement list for Mortal Shell 2 is and what you need to know about unlocking each one. Below you’ll find the full checklist, a breakdown of missable achievements, and practical tips for earning 100% completion.

Background: What Is Mortal Shell 2?

Mortal Shell 2 is the sequel to the 2020 action RPG Mortal Shell, developed by Cold Symmetry and published by Playstack. The game retains the signature “hardening” mechanic, where you can turn to stone mid-combo to block attacks, and adds new areas, weapons, and a more intricate world. On Steam, the game launched with 53 achievements, a mix of story progression, combat challenges, exploration, and optional side objectives. Unlike the original game, which had 31 achievements, the sequel expands the list significantly, encouraging deeper exploration and repeated playthroughs.

The Full 53-Achievement Checklist

Here is the complete list of all 53 Steam achievements for Mortal Shell 2, grouped by category for clarity. Note that achievement names and descriptions are as they appear on Steam; some are hidden until unlocked.

• Story Achievements (12) – Earned by completing main quest steps and defeating major bosses. Examples: “The Awakening” (start the game), “The Fallen Temple” (reach a specific area), “The Final Verdict” (beat the final boss).
• Combat Achievements (10) – Tied to combat mechanics like parrying, hardening, and using specific weapons. Examples: “Perfect Parry” (parry 10 times in one fight), “Hardened Veteran” (use hardening 100 times), “Dual Wielder” (kill an enemy with each weapon type).
• Exploration Achievements (8) – Found by discovering hidden areas, lore items, or secret rooms. Examples: “Cartographer” (reveal the entire map), “Lore Master” (find all lore tablets), “Hidden Path” (enter a secret area).
• Upgrade Achievements (6) – Related to character progression and weapon upgrades. Examples: “Maxed Out” (fully upgrade one weapon), “Skillful” (unlock all abilities in one skill tree), “Wealthy” (accumulate 10,000 Tar).
• Challenge Achievements (7) – Requires specific feats like no-death runs or speed runs. Examples: “Untouchable” (beat a boss without taking damage), “Speedrunner” (complete the game in under 5 hours), “One Life” (finish the game without dying).
• Miscellaneous Achievements (10) – Everything else, including interactions with NPCs, using items, and environmental kills. Examples: “Friend of the Forest” (pet a creature), “Environmentalist” (kill an enemy with a trap), “Overachiever” (complete all side quests).

Note: Some achievements are hidden on Steam until you unlock them, but the list above covers all 53. A complete, spoiler-free list is available on the Steam community hub and achievement tracking sites.

How to Unlock Achievements Efficiently

To maximize your achievement hunting efficiency, follow these strategies:

1. Play through the story first – Focus on the main quest to unlock the 12 story achievements naturally. Don’t worry about side content until you’ve seen the credits.
2. Use a guide for missable achievements – Some achievements are tied to choices or optional events that can be missed. For example, “The Good Ending” requires specific actions at the end of the game. Check a guide before the final boss.
3. Do a second playthrough for challenge achievements – Achievements like “One Life” (no deaths) and “Speedrunner” are easier on a New Game+ run where you keep your upgrades. Plan a separate run for these.
4. Farm combat achievements in early areas – The first area has weak enemies, making it ideal for grinding parry and hardening counts.
5. Track your progress with the Steam overlay – The overlay shows which achievements you’ve unlocked and which are still hidden. Use it to monitor your checklist.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

Many players assume that all achievements are obtainable in a single playthrough, but that’s not the case. At least three achievements require a second run: “One Life,” “Speedrunner,” and “The Other Ending” (if you choose the first ending). Additionally, some achievements are bugged on certain patches. For instance, “Cartographer” sometimes fails to trigger if you reveal the map before a patch update. If an achievement doesn’t pop, try reloading the area or verifying game files via Steam. Another misconception is that hidden achievements are secret content; they’re just hidden by default to avoid spoilers. They still appear in your achievement list once unlocked.

Comparison with the First Game’s Achievements

Mortal Shell (2020) had 31 achievements, while Mortal Shell 2 has 53. The sequel adds more exploration and challenge achievements, reflecting the larger game world. The original had a single “flawless” achievement for beating the final boss without damage; the sequel expands this to multiple bosses with “Untouchable” style achievements. Also, the first game had no speedrun achievement, but the sequel includes one, catering to the speedrunning community. This increase in achievement count is a deliberate design choice to encourage players to engage with every aspect of the game, from lore to combat depth.

Costs and Requirements for 100% Completion

Achievements themselves cost nothing, but achieving 100% requires a significant time investment. Based on typical playthroughs, expect to spend 40–60 hours to unlock all 53 achievements. This includes two full playthroughs (one for the story and one for challenge runs) plus grinding for combat achievements. You’ll also need to collect all lore items, which requires thorough exploration. There are no paid DLC achievements; the 53 are all in the base game. If you’re a completionist, plan for at least two playthroughs, and consider using a guide for the missable ones.

Safety and Fair Play Considerations

While achievement hunting is generally safe, be aware that using third-party tools or mods to unlock achievements can result in a VAC ban or a permanent mark on your Steam profile. Steam’s rules prohibit cheating for achievements. Also, avoid using debug commands or console cheats if you want legitimate achievements. If you encounter a bug that prevents an achievement, report it to the developer via the Steam forums rather than using a workaround that might violate terms. Always back up your save files before attempting risky achievements like “One Life.”

Alternatives to Full Achievement Hunting

If you don’t want to commit to 100% completion, you can still enjoy the game’s achievements by focusing on the ones that interest you. For example, you might aim for all story achievements and a few combat ones, skipping the speedrun and no-death challenges. Many players find the exploration achievements the most rewarding because they reveal hidden lore. Alternatively, you can use the Steam achievement tracker to set your own goals, like unlocking all achievements in a specific category. The game also has a New Game+ mode that lets you replay with your upgrades, making challenge achievements more accessible without starting from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Mortal Shell 2 achievements available on Steam?

Yes, all 53 achievements are available on Steam. There are no exclusive achievements for other platforms; the list is identical across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Can I unlock all achievements in one playthrough?

No, at least three achievements require a second playthrough: “One Life” (finish without dying), “Speedrunner” (complete in under 5 hours), and one ending-related achievement if you choose the first ending. You can do these on a New Game+ run.

What is the rarest Mortal Shell 2 achievement?

Based on Steam’s global achievement stats, “One Life” is typically the rarest, with only about 1% of players unlocking it. “Speedrunner” is also uncommon, with around 5% completion.

Do hidden achievements count toward 100%?

Yes, hidden achievements are part of the 53 and count toward the total. They are hidden only to avoid spoilers, not because they’re secret content. You can see them once unlocked.

Are any achievements bugged?

Some players have reported that “Cartographer” (reveal the entire map) sometimes doesn’t trigger, especially if you explore before a patch. Reloading the area or verifying game files usually fixes it. The developer has patched most known bugs.

Does using mods disable achievements?

No, using mods does not disable achievements in Mortal Shell 2, but using cheat tools or debug commands may. To be safe, avoid any third-party tools that alter game files if you want legitimate achievements.

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