A Haunting Napoleonic Nightmare
Players plunge into a demon-ravaged Eastern Europe, where Napoleon's armies clash amid a plague called Nephtoglobin. That's the world of Valor Mortis, a bold new soulslike from One More Level, the Polish studio behind Ghostrunner. Unveiled at Gamescom 2025, this single-player action-RPG swaps medieval fantasy for an alternate 19th-century history, blending sabers, flintlock pistols, and elemental magic. It's a setting that feels both alien and gripping, drawing you into its Gothic gloom.
The game's premise alone sets it apart. Players navigate a corrupted landscape where historical horror meets supernatural dread, encountering a unique array of foes. Early previews praise its Eastern European aesthetic, with crumbling castles and fog-choked forests that scream atmosphere. For players tired of the same old fantasy tropes, this shift to a Napoleonic backdrop feels like a breath of fresh, if eerie, air.
First-Person Combat That Packs a Punch
What makes Valor Mortis stand out is its first-person perspective, a rarity in the soulslike genre. You wield a saber in one hand, a pistol in the other, and cast 'transmutation' spells to exploit enemy weaknesses, all while managing stamina and dodging demon claws. A 33-minute gameplay demo from Gamescom showed off posture bars, precise parry windows, and a rally-style health system, making every fight feel raw and intense. One More Level adapts Ghostrunner's fluid movement for slower, tactical combat, aiming for immersion that pulls you right into the action.
Similar attempts exist, such as Skyrim VR, which tried first-person melee, but players often struggled with depth perception and motion sickness. Valor Mortis counters this with haptic feedback on PlayStation's DualSense controller and tight hitbox design, as playtesters noted responsive controls. Still, the shift to first-person raises the stakes, demanding precise animations to keep combat readable and engaging.
Hurdles on the Horizon
Despite its promise, Valor Mortis faces real challenges. First-person combat can obscure depth cues, leaving players disoriented in frantic fights, as some Gamescom previews pointed out. Motion sickness is another concern, especially for players sensitive to fast-paced camera swings. One More Level's small team, roughly 60 developers, might also struggle to match the enemy variety or post-launch support of giants like FromSoftware, whose Elden Ring sold over 23 million copies.
Historical sensitivity also presents a concern. Portraying a demon-infested Napoleonic era risks trivializing real historical suffering, a concern raised in early Reddit discussions. Accessibility also looms large, with calls for color-blind modes and controller remapping to broaden the game's appeal. Ghostrunner's post-launch patches, which added difficulty sliders, suggest One More Level is listening, but these issues need careful attention before the 2026 launch.
A Bold Bet for Soulslike Fans
If Valor Mortis delivers, it could carve a unique niche in a crowded genre. Its Eastern European setting and first-person twist offer a fresh perspective, especially for players craving narrative-driven, single-player experiences. Success could elevate Poland's game development scene, already buzzing from titles like Cyberpunk 2077, and spark interest in alternative historical settings. A closed play-test later in 2025 will give fans a chance to shape its future, building hype through influencer feedback.
Still, the game's hardcore difficulty and lack of multiplayer might limit its reach. Soulslike fans, used to FromSoftware's polish, will expect flawless execution. If One More Level nails the balance of immersion and accessibility, Valor Mortis could inspire a wave of first-person imitators, much like Demon's Souls did for the genre in 2009. For now, it's a daring experiment worth watching.