Valor Mortis HANDS-ON PREVIEW: The Most Promising Soulslike in Years

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I’ve been quite open about the numerous Souls-like games being released recently. The market seems to be overflowing with them, and even more Souls games are on the horizon. One of the most recent additions to this genre is Valor Mortis, which I had the chance to preview after playing it at Gamescom 2025. On the other hand, One More Level has an incredibly intriguing new project in the works – they’ve incorporated some top-notch qualities from Ghostrunner into their latest development.

At Gamescom 2025, I was aware I had an arranged gameplay session for One More Level’s then-unrevealed new IP. It was during Gamescom 2025’s Opening Night Live that Valor Mortis was unveiled. What soon transpired was the realization that this wasn’t another Elden Ring, Lies of P, or Wuchang: Fallen Feathers. Personally, I can say with certainty, it’s been a long time since I’ve been this eager for a Soulslike game.

More Souls Than Your Usual Soulslike

Valor Mortis doesn’t shy away from its genre or obvious influences. You’ll find Lanterns acting as typical Soulsland checkpoints, enemies regenerating upon death, and losing your resources if you meet an untimely end – all quite commonplace in this type of game. Yet, what I’ve been yearning for is a well-crafted and impactful first-person Soulslike experience. Most games opt for third-person viewpoints, but the potential of a first-person perspective often goes unnoticed.

One More Level decided to dive in. Now you find yourself as a resurrected Napoleonic soldier from the 19th century. Without delay, I plunged right into the fray, sword in grasp, and with a perspective that follows my character closely. The game provided me with essential instructions: How to strike, deflect, and other standard Souls game mechanics and movements.

With great joy, I discovered that One More Level hadn’t abandoned its initial spirit. Just like Jack from Ghostrunner, you can execute a substantial dash in Valor Mortis, and there are enjoyable parkour and traversal segments to enjoy. However, the fundamental essence of the game lies within combat. This is undeniably a Soulslike experience, and I must say it stirs up excitement and makes my heart race intensely.

Beauty is in The Hand of The Beholder

In my 60-minute demonstration, I ended up brandishing a sword in my dominant right hand, ideal for swift and powerful blows. For my left hand, I switched between a firearm or the capability to shoot flames from my hand. If you’re conversant with Bioshock or the Dishonored series, you’ll understand the scenario.

As a devoted gamer, I’ve discovered that the handgun excels in taking down enemies with prominent vulnerable spots. On the other hand, the fire ability is just splendid for blasting foes with a scorching burst of flames, dealing immense damage swiftly. Amazingly, I found myself requiring all three weapon types to tackle the formidable boss at the end of the demonstration. Let me assure you, without revealing too much, this boss is gigantic, malicious, deformed, and demanded quite a thrashing to finally defeat!

What really caught my attention during the fight was the boss having multiple vulnerabilities to exploit. Unlike other Souls games that primarily focus on elemental damage and resistances, this one put a premium on targeting weak spots. The pistol proved indispensable in this regard, as it brought an exciting dynamic to the encounter.

The gameplay variety in Valor Mortis is substantial, yet you can still enhance your core attributes, such as health and parry skills. To further immerse yourself in the world, you’ll come across visions of deceased soldiers, which serve not only as a fascinating backstory but also as collectible items to some extent.

Spending an hour with Valor Mortis seemed fleeting. Being a passionate fan of Soulslike games, it’s exactly the kind of game I long for. If the immersive world-building and smooth mechanics from Ghostrunner are carried over to Valor Mortis, it could potentially be a stealthy Game of the Year candidate.

At TopMob’s forum, you can engage in discussions about a wide range of gaming topics, including your excitement for Valor Mortis, affection for Ghostrunner, and anything else that catches your interest.

If you found my Valor Mortis Gamescom 2025 preview enjoyable, don’t forget to explore other reviews we have prepared: Super Meat Boy in 3D, Hell Let Loose set in Vietnam, Borderlands 4, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and G’AIM’E.

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2025-08-23 15:48