One More Level made its name with the high-octane Ghostrunner series, but its next project, Valor Mortis, is a dramatic shift in direction. Published together with Lyrical Games, the studio is stepping away from fast-paced cyberpunk action and into a slower, more deliberate experience set in an alternate 19th-century Europe. With elements of supernatural horror and historical intrigue layered on top of a methodical combat system, this is a game that feels both familiar in its inspirations and strikingly bold in its execution.
What we know
Valor Mortis casts players as William, a fallen soldier of Napoleon’s Grande Armée, resurrected by a mysterious plague that now spreads across the continent. Awakening in a Europe ravaged by corruption, William wields this unholy power even as it courses through his own veins, giving him both enhanced abilities and a constant reminder of his cursed existence.
The game blends alternate history with dark fantasy, populating its landscapes with twisted abominations and remnants of Napoleon’s Eternal Guard. Players must master a combat system built on weighty parries, dashes, and finishers while experimenting with a variety of weapons and supernatural abilities. As with many titles in the soulslike mold, each defeat serves as an opportunity to grow stronger, with progression tied to learning enemy patterns and gradually mastering new skills. Beyond the battles, players will uncover secrets in ruined battlefields and follow a narrative that mixes historical figures with horror, conspiracy, and the supernatural. The game is currently in development for PC and next-gen consoles.
What we saw
At Gamescom, we sat down with One More Level for a hands-on session with an early build of Valor Mortis. Our demo gave us plenty of time to acclimate to the game’s deliberate mechanics, experiment with combat strategies, and get a first impression of its grim setting and narrative ambitions.
What we thought
The most striking thing about Valor Mortis is how different it feels from One More Level’s previous work. Where Ghostrunner thrived on speed and fluidity, this game leans into weight and patience. Every swing of the sword feels deliberate, every parry hard-earned, and while progression is slow, each victory carries a real sense of accomplishment. The slower tempo won’t appeal to everyone, but it helps underline the oppressive atmosphere of this plague-ridden Europe.
Combat rewards both precision and adaptability. Learning how to counter specific enemies takes time, but the payoff comes when a careful string of parries and finishers dismantles an opponent with grim efficiency. The supernatural abilities add a further wrinkle, allowing players to push beyond the confines of purely historical combat without breaking the immersion of the setting. It’s a balance that gives the game its own identity within a crowded genre.
Visually, the game stands out with its mix of grounded historical detail and haunting, corrupted landscapes. Ruined outskirts of European cities, foggy battlefields, and grotesque enemies all contribute to a bleak but captivating world. The audio design amplifies the tension, with unsettling ambient sounds and the clang of steel making each encounter feel dangerous and consequential.
Ultimately, Valor Mortis looks like a brave and promising departure for its developer. The deliberate pace won’t be for everyone, especially those hoping for a more action-driven approach, but for players who enjoy the steady climb of soulslike progression wrapped in a unique historical-horror setting, this is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing titles on the horizon. It’s an experiment in tone and pacing that already feels rewarding – a game where every hard-fought victory leaves you eager, if wary, to take the next step.
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