Back in October 2025 I had the pleasure to join the playtests of Valor Mortis, a new project from the studio behind Ghostrunner 1 & 2, One More Level.

The game’s been first unveiled during this year’s Gamescom. And I gotta say the trailer absolutely blew me away. The battlefield setting, French uniforms and flags, sabers, pistols, cannons, and the gritty realism of war — it all screamed AAA game.

In some games you get new weapons by opening chests. Valor Mortis makes you devour corpses to obtain magic. (Credit: One More Level)

I was entirely convinced this was a new project from EA, Ubisoft, or Sony. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be a game from a studio known for its flagship cyberpunk parkour combat sim.

What is Valor Mortis, exactly?

Valor Mortis is a single-player action game that proudly wears its souls-like influences on its sleeves.

I died at least 10 times here, but as a veteran of souls-likes, I ultimately beat this guy and had my true gamer moment. (Credit: One More Level)

It takes place in an alternate 19th-century Europe during Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaigns. The Old Continent has been invaded by entities known as “Nephtoglin,” and we — as William, a resurrected French soldier with supernatural powers — must cleanse the land and uncover a conspiracy behind the spreading plague.

Alright, we know what the setting and who the protagonist is. But how does Valor Mortis play?

Brilliantly. It’s a refreshing twist on the genre.

Most souls-likes use a third-person camera, but here we see the madness unfold through William’s eyes. The first-person perspective amplifies the horror and makes the game much more immersive.

Combat and gameplay

At a first glance, the combat seems somewhat simple: light and heavy attacks, block, dodge — you know, the usual.

Head count? Two. Arm count? I’m not sure… (Credit: One More Level)

But once you learn perfect parries (something straight out of Sekiro), the system opens up so many beautiful possibilities. A well-timed parry not only prevents damage, but also staggers enemies and allows for devastating counterattacks.

Each foe behaves differently and your success depends on your timing and reflex. This dynamic rhythm keeps every fight exciting, a far cry from predictable attack-block loops.

Just like in Lies of P — Aggro playstyle is rewarded! (Credit: One More Level)

Lies of P is clearly another influence. Valor Mortis borrows the mechanic where blocking an attack and striking back lets you regain lost health. It’s a small detail that completely changes the combat flow, encouraging aggression and precision over passivity.

Shooting enemies kinda sucks. It deals about one-third of a normal attack’s damage, doesn’t stagger them…yeah, not bueno. (Credit: One More Level)

And yes, Bloodborne fans will feel right at home here. Grotesque designs — hulking mutants with pulsating red growths, twisted soldiers with canine limbs, and that unforgettable boss, a massive general with his comrades’ arms sprouting from his back — feel like they’ve been taken straight out of FromSoftware’s nightmarish design collection.

Miyazaki would be proud.

A world worth exploring

The world of Valor Mortis pulls you in fast. You want to learn, explore, experiment, and master the tools at your disposal.

I love this screenshot, even when it’s on ULTRA LOW graphic settings. (Credit: One More Level)

The playtest gave me access to a saber, pistol, and fiery magic — each with unique applications. And not just combat; fire burns away corrupted roots, while the pistol can destroy environmental weak points.

Witcher 3 Igni fans , take note: BBQ season starts when Valor Mortis releases! (Credit: One More Level)

Valor Mortis isn’t just another clone chasing souls-like glory. It dares to mix old ideas with new ones — and it works.

What doesn’t work (yet)

Optimization definitely needs serious work.

I tried every setting combination possible and couldn’t maintain a stable FPS count. The game stutters, struggles to load textures, and occasionally glitches out. Equipping fire magic tanked the game’s performance by 70%, and casting spells made things even worse.

My setup isn’t weak — i5–12700KF, RTX 3070, 32 GB RAM — yet the game forced me to play on low settings with DLSS set on ultra performance.

No campfires, no altars, or weird shrines — here we rest under the hourglass. (Credit: One More Level)

Navigation could also use improvements. The maps are beautifully designed, but sometimes downright confusing. I often got lost without a clear sense of direction — though that might feel perfectly natural for Dark Souls veterans.

Still, it’s just a playtest, so there’s probably plenty of time to fix these issues.

Observe, test, and give it a chance

It’s a bit rough around the edges, but I genuinely believe Valor Mortis might become a breakout hit in 2026 (or whenever it finally launches).

It’s dark, fresh, and full of potential. With some polish, it could stand among the best in the genre.

Skill tree is more about certain skills, instead of attributes such as Vigor, Strength or Intelligence. (Credit: One More Level)

If you’re still wondering whether to try One More Level’s new project, stop wondering. Head over to the game’s Steam page, sign up for the playtest, and experience it yourself.

Your feedback is worth its weight in gold. You’re not just testing the game, you’re helping shape its unique vision.

Me, I’m eager to go back to the French front and slaughter beasts with my saber, Souls-like style.