Valor Mortis Isn’t Just Another Soulslike—It Might Be the One That Redefines the Genre In 2025 And Beyond
Let’s be honest, the Soulslike genre is getting a little crowded. It feels like every other week there’s a new contender stepping into the ring, promising to be the next Elden Ring or Bloodborne. Most of them are… fine. They check the boxes: punishing difficulty, grimdark fantasy setting, bonfire-equivalents, and losing all your hard-earned XP when a random skeleton sneezes on you. So, when I sat down at Gamescom 2025 for a preview of Valor Mortis, another announced Soulslike, my expectations were pretty grounded. I was ready for more of the same.
I was wrong. So, so wrong.
What One More Level, the wizards behind the blisteringly fast Ghostrunner series, have cooked up isn’t just another clone. After an hour with it, I can confidently say this is the most excited I’ve been for a new Soulslike in a long, long time.
Valor Mortis HANDS-ON PREVIEW: The Most Promising Soulslike in Years
A Fresh Perspective on Getting Your Butt Kicked
Valor Mortis isn’t trying to hide its lineage. You’ve got your Lanterns (bonfires), respawning enemies, and the soul-crushing penalty of losing your resources upon death. It’s all there. But One More Level did something so simple, yet so revolutionary, that it changes everything: they made it first-person.
I know, it sounds like a gimmick. But for years, I’ve wondered why no one has truly committed to a polished, triple-A first-person Soulslike. The potential for immersion is massive. One More Level didn’t just see that potential; they grabbed it, polished it, and are now preparing to beat us over the head with it. You’re a fallen soldier from Napoleon’s army in the 19th century, brought back from the dead, and the world is immediately in your face.
The demo dropped me right into the thick of it. With a sword in hand, the game walked me through the familiar dance of attacking, parrying, and dodging. But this time, it felt different. The intimacy of the first-person view turns every encounter into a frantic, heart-pounding duel. There’s no peeking around your character model to see what’s flanking you. There’s just the grotesque, corrupted face of your enemy filling your entire screen. It’s terrifying, and it’s brilliant.
More Than Just a Sword and Shield
Thankfully, the devs haven’t forgotten what made Ghostrunner so special. The DNA of their previous work is woven into the fabric of Valor Mortis. The movement feels incredible. You have a satisfying dash that gets you out of tight spots, and the level design incorporates parkour elements that make traversal feel fluid and engaging. But make no mistake, combat is king.
My hour-long demo armed me with a trusty sword for light and heavy attacks, but my left hand was the real star of the show. It became a multi-tool of destruction, with interchangeable gadgets that felt straight out of BioShock or Dishonored. I had a pistol, perfect for popping the glowing weak spots on larger enemies, and a pyromancer’s glove that let me spew fire like a dragon with an upset stomach.
This isn’t just for show. The combat loop encourages you to use your entire arsenal. During the demo’s final boss—a massive, malformed monstrosity that clearly skipped leg day and every other day—I had to constantly switch between my tools. I’d use the pistol to stagger it by hitting its weak points, douse it in flames to apply a damage-over-time effect, then dash in with my sword for a few precious hits before retreating. It’s a dynamic, strategic dance of death that feels both fresh and challenging.
A World Worth Dying In (Repeatedly)
The setting itself is a huge part of the appeal. Instead of another generic medieval kingdom, we get a twisted, plague-ridden 19th-century Europe. You’re fighting through the ranks of your former, now-corrupted comrades, with Napoleon’s ghostly whispers goading you on. It’s weird, it’s unique, and it’s dripping with atmosphere. This kind of bold, off-the-wall setting is what helped games like Lies of P stand out, and Valor Mortis is poised to do the same.
The world is also filled with lore, told through visions of fallen soldiers that act as collectibles, slowly piecing together the grim narrative. It encourages you to slow down and soak in the beautifully grim environments—something the art team at One More Level clearly relishes after players zipped through their gorgeous cyberpunk cities in Ghostrunner.
My hour with Valor Mortis flew by in what felt like minutes. It’s rare for a pre-alpha demo to feel this polished, this confident in its identity. If the final game can maintain this level of tight gameplay, innovative combat, and compelling world-building, we’re not just looking at a great Soulslike. We might be looking at a genuine Game of the Year contender. Keep your eyes on this one.
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