PAX East is always packed to the gills with fantastic games and hidden gems. Valor Mortis seems to have both.
This first-person soulslike game left a strong impression on me. It feels fresh, and I think genre fans will flock to it. One particular reason for this is the game’s setting, which is quite unique. Rather than your traditional dark fantasy aesthetics, Valor Mortis takes place in an alternate 19th-century Europe that has been conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Lyrical Games and the development team at One More Level delivered an impressive experience. Their previous games in the Ghostrunner series will prove they have the chops to deliver something outstanding. I sat down at the Games From Poland booth for 30 minutes and worked through this impressive demo. After learning that no one at PAX East had defeated the boss, I became fully locked in the game.
The theming of Valor Mortis is top-notch
Let’s talk more about this version of 19th-century Europe, especially since you play as an undead former soldier from Napoleon’s army.
The world is full of horrors, the supernatural, and war at every step. Finding these blue-looking rifts in the world would trigger memories of events that have happened in the past. You see what the everyday soldier went through and hear about their experiences with the evils that Napoleon has brought to the world. I’m eagerly anticipating seeing how the story unfolds based on what we’ve seen. Valor Mortis‘s approach to the environmental storytelling the genre is known for is well done.
The melee combat feels smooth, and the parry counters are so satisfying. Swinging the sword had a satisfying weight, and disfiguring enemies put a smile on my face. There were a lot of animations for cutting off limbs, and all of them made you feel like a badass. Using the gun was useful, and the amount of ammo you carry doesn’t feel as restricting as something like Bloodborne.
You’ll also have some magical abilities at your disposal, too. These skills will have you reminiscing about BioShock, from its look to how it is used. It’s as satisfying as ever, particularly when my enemies catch fire. Don’t forget to slice and dice for extra damage while they burn.
Let’s talk more about that boss I alluded to, because it was no pushover. In typical Soulslike fashion, I was patient and took my time learning the boss’s moves. It’s a familiar experience, even if done from the first-person perspective this time around. Using all of my knowledge and expertise, I bravely faced him and eventually one-shot the boss. With barely any health and no heals, I raised my arms in victory. I did it! I was the first person at PAX East to defeat the boss!
Then the smile left my face as the boss started to mutate and stood back up. I was slain. I, in fact, did not beat the boss, and no, I don’t wanna talk about it.
A Soulslike to keep your eye on
Valor Mortis is a Soulslike that demands your attention. Snappy gameplay, AAA-level graphics, and a horror-heavy atmosphere will have you hooked. You will also be dying, like a lot. Just git gud scrub. Sorry, I got a little toxic there. One More Level has something fresh for fans of the genre.
If all goes well, Valor Mortis will release sometime in the summer of 2026 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S|X. These Polish developers are bringing heat this summer, but also your suffering. Have fun dying!
Follow Outrun Gaming on MSN for more content you love.
RELATED:
