Developer One More Level, known for its Ghostrunner series, has ventured into the increasingly crowded Soulslike subgenre with Valor Mortis. This first-person action game largely succeeds in carving out its own identity, offering a fresh take on the demanding combat loops and exploration that define the genre, all set against a nightmarish 18th-century France.
Players step into the boots of William, a soldier in Napoleon's army who, upon death, awakens on a desolate battlefield with the Emperor's telepathic presence guiding him. Over approximately 25 hours, players acquire BioShock-esque powers—such as control over fire and time—that complement a combat system relying on swords and firearms. The arsenal expands to include various pistols, muskets, and bladed weapons, all employed to combat reanimated soldiers and cursed citizens. While the narrative premise, involving Napoleon's mysterious influence and a magical agent reanimating the dead, is intriguing, the story ultimately unfolds in predictable ways, failing to fully explore its compelling setup. Sidequests offer glimpses of humanity and mystery but don't elevate the overarching plot significantly.
Despite the narrative's shortcomings, the gameplay offers a deeply engaging experience. Valor Mortis incorporates core Soulslike mechanics: challenging boss fights, currency loss upon death with a chance to recover it, and enemy respawns at rest points. This is expertly blended with One More Level's signature fast-paced, first-person combat. However, the game's difficulty in its initial half is often unfairly balanced. Boss encounters and even standard enemy encounters can feel insurmountable due to poorly tuned mechanics and what seem like random insta-kill attacks, leaving little room for players to learn from their mistakes. This imbalance improves, or perhaps players simply become better equipped through upgrades, as the game progresses, leading to a more satisfying and balanced challenge that encourages persistent attempts.
Mastering the combat is crucial for survival. Parrying is presented as the primary defensive tool, though blocking is possible at the cost of health, and dodging is also an option. Successfully countering hulking soldiers, mutated creatures, and grotesque experiments is deeply satisfying. The synergy between melee weapons like sabers and rapiers, firearms such as blunderbusses, and psychic abilities like pyromancy or stasis adds significant depth, forcing players to utilize their entire toolkit to overcome encounters. This comprehensive approach to combat demonstrates One More Level's confidence in its design.
Beyond the core combat, Valor Mortis incorporates platforming elements, including wall-running, grappling, and intricate environmental navigation, providing bursts of adrenaline that contrast with the game's more deliberate pacing. These sequences showcase the studio's expertise, reminiscent of Ghostrunner's fluid movement. The game also features a notable subplot involving orphaned children known as the Mice, seeking an alternative to Napoleon's destructive influence. This narrative thread, inspired by BioShock's Little Sisters, adds emotional weight, though it doesn't quite reach the same level of impact as its source material.
Exploration is consistently rewarded, with numerous hidden items, side quests, and minibosses encouraging players to stray from the main path. The chapter design is a highlight, with each new location offering a distinct environment that builds upon the player's journey. While the overall experience involves a high death count—often exceeding 100 fatalities—the latter half of Valor Mortis coalesces into a demanding yet fair challenge. The game successfully leverages One More Level's strengths to deliver a tense, novel, and ultimately rewarding entry into the Soulslike genre, despite falling slightly short of its ambitious premise.