A Battlefield Like No Other
Step into the mud-soaked trenches of Napoleon's eastern campaign, where muskets clang and supernatural horrors lurk. Valor Mortis, revealed at Gamescom 2025, drops players into a hauntingly vivid world crafted by One More Level, the Polish studio behind Ghostrunner. Valor Mortis offers a unique take on the fantasy soulslike genre. Players control a French soldier, William, resurrected by a strange substance called Nephtoglobin, slicing through plague-warped comrades with a saber in one hand and a pistol in the other. The game's alternate-history 19th-century Europe feels alive, with meticulous details like period-accurate uniforms juxtaposed against eerie, colossal bosses.
What makes this setting stand out? It's the bold choice to ground a soulslike in a historical era, a move that echoes the discussion around 2023's Steelrising, which reimagined the French Revolution with automatons. One More Level's developers leaned hard into historical flavor, aiming to nail the aesthetic of Napoleonic warfare. Yet, they've stirred in occult elements, sparking debates among history buffs about where creative license should draw the line. The result is a world that feels both familiar and alien, pulling players into a grim, immersive experience.
First-Person Soulslike Done Right
Soulslike games usually stick to third-person cameras, letting players see every dodge and parry. Valor Mortis flips that script. By putting you right behind William's eyes, One More Level crafts a visceral experience where every musket shot grazes past your visor. The 33-minute Gamescom demo showcased fluid saber combos, a quick backward dash, and fireburst 'Transmutations': elemental spells powered by corruption. Early testers raved about the precision, comparing it to Ghostrunner's razor-sharp responsiveness, though some worried about motion sickness in fast-paced fights.
The first-person perspective isn't just for show. Developers argue it heightens immersion, making every parry feel like a personal triumph. The game foregoes iframe-heavy dodges, emphasizing precise timing in combat. The game also introduces a dual-wield system, letting players target enemy weak points with pistols while slashing with sabers. Critics at IGN and Forbes noted the tight hit-boxes but cautioned that parry windows need more polish to satisfy hardcore fans. Still, the demo's 60 fps performance and dense particle effects suggest One More Level is on the right track.
Lessons From Past Experiments
Valor Mortis isn't the first game to blend history with soulslike mechanics. Steelrising, set in an alternate French Revolution, drew praise for its creative setting but faced criticism for clunky combat. One More Level has prioritized fluid mechanics and responsive controls, a design choice that suggests they have learned from past experiments. Ghostrunner, their earlier hit, also informs Valor Mortis. Its fast-paced, first-person combat proved the studio could handle high-skill gameplay, and fans on Reddit's r/soulslikes are buzzing about how that expertise translates here.
Challenges remain. Soulslike purists, used to third-person stalwarts like Dark Souls, might balk at the camera shift. Some previewers flagged potential issues with reading enemy telegraphs in first-person, a problem One More Level is tweaking through iterative testing. Motion sickness is another hurdle, with developers promising accessibility options to ease discomfort. By learning from Steelrising's mixed reception and Ghostrunner's success, Valor Mortis aims to carve a unique niche, balancing innovation with the genre's punishing roots.
Why This Game Matters Now
The gaming world is hungry for fresh takes on soulslikes, especially after Elden Ring's massive success. Valor Mortis taps into this demand, joining titles like Remnant II in experimenting with camera perspectives. Its historical setting also appeals to niche audiences who crave alternatives to high-fantasy tropes. Lyrical Games, the publisher, sees this as a chance to establish a bold debut slate, while One More Level diversifies beyond their cyberpunk roots. With a 2026 release planned for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S, the game's cross-platform approach maximizes its reach.
The path forward is not without obstacles. The crowded 2026 release calendar could overshadow this indie gem, and some fans worry about the lack of multiplayer in a genre increasingly leaning toward live-service models. The single-player focus allows for a tightly crafted experience, with potential for DLC or Steam Workshop mods to extend its life. Valor Mortis also opens the door for more historical soulslikes, potentially inspiring studios to explore other eras, from feudal Japan to the Industrial Revolution.
Balancing Art and Accuracy
Mixing history with supernatural flair always stirs debate. Valor Mortis' plague-warped soldiers and occult Nephtoglobin have some historians raising eyebrows, much like Steelrising's automatons did. Gaming media outlets like Gamerant praised the game's art direction but noted that its stylized violence (think body horror and gore) might trigger stricter M/18 ratings in Europe, especially if historical symbols are mishandled. One More Level has promised narrative choices that let players grapple with the moral weight of fighting mutated comrades, adding depth to the story.
For players, this blend of gritty realism and dark fantasy is a draw. The game's interconnected maps encourage exploration, with gated areas that reward backtracking. Community forums on Steam are already buzzing with modders eager to tweak uniforms or add historical weapons. Yet, accessibility remains a concern. The game's high difficulty and first-person intensity might alienate casual players, though developers are exploring options to adjust pacing. By weaving historical detail with creative freedom, Valor Mortis offers a bold take that's sure to spark conversation.