Valor Mortis offers a sharp, visceral twist on the Soulslike formula

In a fresh take on the crowded Soulslike genre, One More Level’s Valor Mortis trades traditional dark fantasy for a grim, Napoleonic aesthetic. According to a review by Rock Paper Shotgun, the game shifts the perspective to a first-person view, replacing typical plague-ridden tropes with a fleshy, supernatural necro-blight. The story imagines a version of history where Napoleon Bonaparte, voiced by Vincent Cassel, secures victory at Waterloo by reanimating his army into loyal, mutated monsters.

Combat and mechanics

While the first-person perspective might trigger skepticism among genre purists, the review notes that the gameplay is intelligently built around this choice. Combat centers on tight, posture-based swordplay and parrying. The reviewer highlights that the sound design for parries is particularly satisfying, with heavy, dramatic clashes that provide a tactile feel to the combat. Beyond melee, players can utilize an arsenal of ranged weapons like revolvers and flamethrowers, though these are secondary to the satisfying rhythm of parry-and-finisher combinations.

However, the game is not without limitations. The reviewer points out that the build variety is relatively narrow, with a thin skill tree that often prioritizes basic health and damage upgrades over diverse playstyles. The experience is also quite linear compared to typical genre entries, clocking in at under 20 hours, and the variety of minibosses diminishes in the final stages of the game.

Why it matters

Valor Mortis stands out by blending traditional Soulslike challenges—such as attack-pattern combat and lantern-based checkpoints—with high-mobility mechanics like wallrunning and grapple hooking, drawing on developer One More Level’s experience with the Ghostrunner series. For players, this means a more intimate, claustrophobic experience that rewards environmental awareness and precise deflection over complex RPG stat management.

While the game avoids many pitfalls of first-person action, players should expect occasional navigation struggles, such as backing into corners or off cliffs, given the limited field of view. Ultimately, the title succeeds by prioritizing a cohesive, structured experience rather than an open-ended action sandbox, offering a distinct alternative for those looking for tense, focused combat.