Valor Mortis opens by seemingly embracing the cautious rhythms of the Soulslike genre, complete with bonfire equivalents, healing flasks, and the familiar threat of losing collected resources upon death. However, the game quickly reveals its true, more frenetic nature, blending intense first-person parkour with satisfyingly visceral sword and gun combat.
Developed by One More Level, the studio behind Ghostrunner, Valor Mortis casts players as William Dowsett, a soldier in Napoleon's Grande Armée. While the initial moments on a war-torn battlefield suggest a traditional Soulslike experience, the game soon incorporates elements that deviate from the norm, such as Napoleon's disembodied voice bellowing commands directly into the player's mind. The core combat loop begins with saber-based melee, demanding careful observation, patient attacks, and defensive maneuvers like blocking and parrying. Successfully timed parries can break an enemy's posture, opening them for a powerful riposte, while well-timed dodges can create brief slow-motion opportunities.
This foundation of weighty yet fluid swordplay remains engaging throughout the game's roughly 20-hour runtime. The combat is further enhanced by the introduction of firearms. Valor Mortis allows players to free-aim their pistol, enabling mid-combat momentum while landing shots, particularly effective against randomly placed Red Plague pustules that weaken enemies. This blend encourages a dynamic run-and-gun approach, seamlessly transitioning between ranged engagements and close-quarters sword fighting. As the game progresses, players unlock new weapons and abilities. Rapiers offer rapid jabs and excel at parrying, though they cannot block, while shotguns provide high damage at close range with lengthy reloads. Magic abilities, powered by Nephtoglobin, introduce further tactical options, such as flamethrower transformations or stasis effects to freeze enemies. These elements combine to form an elegant toolkit, encouraging players to experiment and adapt their strategies to a diverse range of enemies, from erratic villagers to heavily armed elite soldiers.
The game's enemy design pushes players to learn distinct attack patterns and exploit weaknesses. The developer has crafted a variety of foes, including pitchfork-wielding villagers with unpredictable thrusts and aggressive axemen employing flurry-based unblockable attacks. Elite soldiers often wield large claymores or dual sabers, testing players' parry timing and evasive maneuvers. This combat complexity allows for emergent gameplay, where players can swiftly dispatch enemies through a combination of precise gunshots, dodges, and well-timed parries, effectively subverting the slower, deliberate pace often associated with Soulslikes.
Boss encounters are a particular highlight, showcasing imaginative designs and engaging mechanics. One early boss is a grotesque fusion of a general and his battalion, utilizing both close-range swings with a tattered flag and commanding rifle-wielding subordinates. While not numerous, the bosses are memorable, featuring unique arenas and challenging attack patterns that demand mastery of Valor Mortis' core mechanics. The game also incorporates significant parkour elements, allowing players to traverse gaps, wall-run, and utilize grapple swings to navigate its environments. These platforming sections are integrated into the level design, often presenting opportunities to engage enemies from advantageous positions or find hidden shortcuts.
Valor Mortis presents a world that, despite its decay and death, is often visually striking. Lush landscapes with lavender fields and snow-capped mountains contrast with the grim realities of war. Levels are intricately designed, featuring winding paths, verticality, and environmental hazards, encouraging exploration and the discovery of shortcuts. The game occasionally introduces Metroidvania-like elements, with certain paths becoming accessible only after acquiring new abilities, rewarding thorough exploration with potential secrets and challenging optional fights.
However, the game does begin to show its limitations in the later stages. The enemy variety plateaus, with existing enemy types reappearing in slightly altered configurations. The narrative, while featuring evocative writing and strong voice acting, struggles to rise above familiar themes of war and morality. Furthermore, the game's adherence to many traditional Soulslike conventions, including a hub world for upgrades, can feel somewhat restrictive, preventing it from fully carving out a unique identity. Despite these minor criticisms, Valor Mortis is a highly entertaining Soulslike experience. Its fluid combat, clever enemy encounters, and exhilarating parkour elements combine to create a fast-paced and momentum-driven adventure that stands out within the genre. A copy of Valor Mortis was provided for this review by Lyrical Games.