When I first learned that Ghostrunner developer One More Level was working on a soulslike, I wasn't quite sure what to think. The cynic in me was disappointed, worried that perhaps the brilliance of One More Level would be diluted by trend-chasing, or that the developer was pivoting to a more mainstream genre to appeal to a wider audience, losing its best qualities in the process. Again, this was just a small, nagging voice in the back of my head, but now that I've played a few hours of Valor Mortis, I'm gobsmacked by how wrong this little voice was.
I won't make too many sweeping declarations about Valor Mortis just yet, but I will say this: the strengths of Ghostrunner have most definitely not been lost. I would go as far as saying that, if Valor Mortis can maintain the quality I experienced during my preview for a full-length playthrough, it will actually surpass Ghostrunner in terms of belovedness and critical success. Not only that, but it could be one of the best soulslikes of this generation.
What surprised me most was just how elegantly One More Level's historic design tendencies mingle with the fundamentals of the soulslike genre—I'm honestly surprised I never saw the parallels before. There’s the brutal and punishing difficulty, of course, but also the puzzle-like level design, wherein each enemy is meticulously placed and serves as a unique obstacle in and of themselves. I’m getting ahead of myself, but the point is this: Valor Mortis delivers where it counts, and while I like to temper my expectations, I also think this game is well on its way to being absolutely brilliant.
Valor Mortis Has Ingenious Combat Design
Soulslike combat is all about positioning, reading enemy animations and attack patterns, and taking calculated risks—three systems One More Level arguably perfected in the Ghostrunner games. But Valor Mortis is a bit different since, rather than being a series of self-contained combat-platforming challenges, it adopts more traditional soulslike level structure: semi-open environments with hostiles placed in specific locations, optional side paths, and climactic boss battles. Through this structure, One More Level trades the precise, pitch-perfect combat design of the Ghostrunner games for something more expressive and, ultimately, much deeper.
I played through two levels of Valor Mortis as part of my preview coverage. The first is near the start of the game, wherein our protagonist William, a member of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Grande Armée, rises from the dead on the battlefield. Around him are what appear to be his fellow soldiers, but they have—surprise—gone insane as the result of a mysterious, supernatural force. It was in this section that I grew acquainted with not only Valor Mortis’ promising, unexpectedly character-driven narrative, but also its impeccable combat formula.
You have a few soulslike basics at your disposal: William can strike, heavy strike, dodge, block, and parry. Blocking reduces damage taken, and blocked damage can be regained by attacking. Parries, on the other hand, prevent damage entirely while also filling up an enemy’s stagger meter. The parry and rally systems feel like splitting the difference between Lies of P and Sekiro, and they work beautifully.
Melee weapons are used in William’s right hand, with his left being reserved for either his pistol or “transmutations,” which are functionally identical to plasmids and vigors from BioShock. In the first level, I had access to just one transmutation, a fire spell akin to Flames from The Elder Scrolls, which builds up the burn status effect and increases melee damage. Transmutations consume a resource called Nephtogoblin, but in a stroke of genius, Valor Mortis allows you to replenish Nephtogoblin through melee attacks, and a small amount of Nephtogoblin is always available. This synergizes beautifully with the feeling of constant forward momentum you get from the Sekiro/Lies of P parry system. In a traditional soulslike, something like a flame spell would be painfully hampered by FP or a similar resource, but Valor Mortis lets you earn the right to use such powers as much as you like.
One More Level trades the precise, pitch-perfect combat design of the Ghostrunner games for something more expressive and, ultimately, much deeper.
The second portion of the preview took place a bit later in Valor Mortis’ campaign, when the combat sandbox had only further blossomed. By this time, William had acquired a musket for long-range attacks, a defensive transmutation, and, my favorite new addition, a rapier to use in addition to the saber obtained at the start of the game. With the rapier, parrying is more effective, but you can’t block properly. So, do you use the new defensive transmutation to compensate, or do you risk death attempting to master the parry while getting an extra offensive edge with an offhand pistol or flame transmutation? It’s not Elden Ring levels of build variety, but when coupled with the precise, endlessly satisfying combat One More Level has become known for, it’s enough to practically hypnotize you.
Valor Mortis’ Level Design Was a Pleasant Surprise
I chose to hone a high-risk, parry-focused playstyle during my time with Valor Mortis, which resulted in me dying quite a bit. This may have actually been what helped me see the parallels between Ghostrunner and soulslikes: when you repeat a well-designed enemy encounter again and again in Valor Mortis, you gain unexpected insight into enemy behavior, placement, and navigation.
I struggled with one especially challenging section during the second section of the preview, but I was delighted to learn just how many different ways I could approach this gauntlet. For instance, I discovered that one enemy would fire its gun in a narrow hallway, making it easy to bait it into hitting another, much more powerful enemy with an explosive on its back. I also found a way into one of the buildings, allowing me to stealthily dispatch smaller enemies before moving onto the tougher ones. Just like in Ghostrunner, approaching an area from a different angle led to a fundamentally different, but equally satisfying, experience. With a touch of soulslike RPG elements, this expertly crafted encounter design becomes even more fruitful.
My preview session ended with a fast-paced boss that I felt rewarded my intensive parrying focus. This left me with a sense of satisfaction, of course, but also frustration: I wanted to keep playing, keep improving, and keep discovering new ways to modify the gameplay loop. I still want to learn more about Valor Mortis’ story—the preview didn’t offer much of a look at it—and I have no idea how the full game will come together in the end, but any game that’s this compelling after just a few hours is worth keeping an eye on. Mark my words: One More Level has something special on its hands here.
- Released
- September 24, 2026
- Developer(s)
- One More Level
- Publisher(s)
- One More Level, Lyrical Games
- PC Release Date
- September 24, 2026
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- September 24, 2026
You served Napoleon. You died for Napoleon. You have risen for Napoleon.
You are William, a soldier of the Grande Armée brought back from a battlefield grave. But the Europe you awaken to is not the one you sacrificed for. A mysterious plague now sweeps the continent, and you have been reborn with its corrupting power pulsing through your veins.
HARNESS CORRUPTED POWER
Each death is a chance to grow stronger. Master a combat system of parries, dashes, and visceral finishers across a variety of weapons. Channel your power to enhance attacks and unlock new supernatural abilities to inflict upon your enemies.
SECRETS LITTER THE BATTLEFIELD
Navigate a 19th-century alternate history where the costs of endless war have corrupted the landscape. Use your newfound mobility to outmaneuver the plague-ridden abominations of Napoleon’s Eternal Guard and uncover environmental secrets that may increase your chances of survival.
UNCOVER A HORRID CONSPIRACY
Witness a compelling story where historical figures and realities intertwine with elements of horror and the supernatural. Explore beyond the dark corners of the world to discover the truth behind the plague and your unholy resurrection.
- PS5 Release Date
- September 24, 2026
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, RPG, First-Person
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Valor Mortis launches in 2026. Game Rant was provided with a pre-alpha Steam code for this preview.