Freshly unveiled at Opening Night Live’s pre-show, Valor Mortis is a pulse-pounding first-person soulslike from the newly minted Lyrical Games and the talented folks at One More Level, the masterminds behind Ghostrunner. Get ready for a grim yet gripping adventure that’s equal parts brutal and bewitching!
Step into the mud-caked boots of William, a soldier of Napoleon’s Grande Armée, yanked back from the grave into a plague-ravaged, alternate 19th-century Europe. The catch? The same mysterious force—creepily called Nephtoglobin—that gifts William supernatural powers has twisted his former brothers-in-arms into ghastly abominations. In this war-torn world, where Napoleon’s Eternal Guard stalks the shadows and corruption festers like a bad wound, William must hone his combat skills and wield his eerie abilities to navigate a haunting landscape filled with horror, temptation, and conspiracy.
Think Metroidvania-style exploration, punishing soulslike combat, and a narrative that’ll keep you up at night.One More Level is swinging for the fences with Valor Mortis, blending their signature precision and timing from Ghostrunner with a darker, more methodical combat system. Expect dual-wielding, ranged weapons, and slick special abilities called Transmutations that add a fresh twist to the soulslike formula. “We wanted to craft something bold and original—a darker, more challenging experience that stays true to our love for hardcore gameplay while showing off our studio’s growth,” said Szymon Bryla, CEO of One More Level. “Valor Mortis is our take on the soulslike genre, and we’re itching to see players dive in.”Attendees at gamescom can get a taste of the action at booth A-053 in Hall 8, and a closed playtest will follow in the weeks after. Want in? Head to ValorMortis.com to sign up. Mark your calendars—Valor Mortis storms PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026, ready to test your mettle in a world where every corner hides a nightmare!
Check out the trailer here
