We're just a few weeks away from the release of Valer Mortis, the new game out of the One More Level labs — the folk behind the Ghostrunner series — and it has just been given a lengthy explainer video, focused largely on its gameplay. A good opportunity to confirm that yes, the Polish studio is shifting up a gear and taking a run at the Souls-like, only in first person. The story takes us to an Eastern Europe ravaged by war and struck by a mysterious plague. You play as William, a British soldier fighting alongside Napoleon as the emperor's campaign reaches a decisive turning point. Why? Because a mysterious plague has just swept across the battlefields, and its effects are particularly brutal. William, who volunteered to fight for Napoleon because he believes in his vision of a unified Europe, is left for dead after a huge battle. But it is the emperor's voice that brings him back to life. Most of his comrades have succumbed to the disease, and the few survivors have been transformed by its effects.
Don't go thinking our hero William is immune, though: he's been infected too, and that transformation is precisely what allows him to develop supernatural abilities known as 'Transmutations'. This forms the backbone of Valor Mortis's combat system, with combinations of light attacks and heavy strikes to break an opponent's guard, plus dodges and parries to create openings and trigger lethal counters. Classic stuff, in other words. Worth noting that the game also sets itself apart with the use of firearms for hitting enemies at range, forcing you to adapt your approach depending on the foe and their weaknesses. But that's not all: the "Transmutations" also broaden your options, since you'll be able to unleash waves of flame, absorb and reflect attacks with a shield, or use grappling hooks and wall-running to move quickly and strike from the air. A mechanic carried over from Ghostrunner — we hadn't forgotten.
Death will of course be part of the journey, but it also serves to make William stronger. Defeated enemies drop Catalysts, which let you upgrade your abilities and reshape your playstyle. You'll be able to build your character around whatever suits you, be it close-quarters combat, firearms or Transmutations. And if you ever head down a path you don't get on with, the progression system comes with modifiers capable of completely overhauling how a build works.
On the exploration front, Valor Mortis promises plenty of environments to discover, from war-ravaged villages and sprawling battlefields to caves, catacombs, laboratories and even fortresses. Each one will serve up puzzles and hidden passages to keep things varied. Also worth noting is that the various regions are linked by a network of lanterns that act as checkpoints and fast-travel points, as well as places to spend your Catalysts. That means you can return to areas you've already visited once you've picked up new abilities, opening up routes that were previously out of reach. There you have it, you know pretty much everything. See you on 13 October 2026 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series to find out whether Valor Mortis is worth your time!
