Valor Mortis, the ambitious first-person Soulslike from the studio behind Ghostrunner, attempts to blend challenging combat with a new perspective, but ultimately struggles to fully realize its unique vision. While the game successfully captures the punishing difficulty and XP-loss-on-death mechanics characteristic of the genre, it falters in translating the spatial awareness and weighty combat that define traditional third-person Soulslikes.
Most Soulslike titles are experienced from a third-person perspective, allowing players to meticulously manage their positioning relative to enemies while engaging in melee combat and precise dodge-rolls. Valor Mortis, by necessity of its first-person viewpoint, sacrifices this crucial element of spatial awareness. When engaged in close-quarters combat, a single enemy can dominate the player's field of view, making it difficult to track other threats. While some enemies in Valor Mortis do attempt to flank, on-screen indicators designed to signal incoming attacks feel like an admission that the game cannot replicate the necessary situational awareness organically.
This limitation is further exacerbated during powerful player attacks. For instance, using William's rapier's heavy attack propels him forward, often leaving him behind the enemy. The lack of immediate visual feedback on whether the target is still a threat or if other enemies are approaching creates unnecessary uncertainty. The overall weight and impact of combat also feel diminished, particularly when not locked onto an enemy, detracting from the satisfying feedback expected from the genre.
Instead of dodge-rolling, Valor Mortis utilizes a quick dash to evade attacks. However, this dash consumes a significant amount of stamina, and the difficulty in maintaining environmental awareness means players often expend more dashes than necessary, sometimes accidentally dashing into hazards like water or fire. This environmental interaction, coupled with the inherent depth perception challenges of a first-person perspective, can lead to frustrating self-inflicted damage.
The parry mechanic, a staple for many Soulslike enthusiasts, is particularly hampered in Valor Mortis. The combination of combat weightlessness and first-person depth perception issues makes timing parries more challenging than in other titles. This is acutely felt during boss encounters, such as the fight against General Lothaire, the Eagle-Bearer. Missing even a single parry can leave the player vulnerable to devastating combos.
Despite these shortcomings, Valor Mortis does introduce some welcome innovations. Unlike the often opaque questing systems in traditional Soulslikes, it features a detailed in-game notebook that clearly tracks both main and side quests, simplifying progression. The weapon wheel also allows for seamless switching between melee weapons, firearms, and magic abilities during combat, offering a degree of player agency.
Perhaps the most universally appreciated addition is the inclusion of a pause button, a feature conspicuously absent from many games in the genre. While Valor Mortis's attempt to adapt Soulslike combat to a first-person perspective is commendable, its execution reveals the inherent limitations of the format. The game's combat can feel more confusing than impactful, though its quest tracking and pause functionality offer glimmers of potential for future first-person Soulslike endeavors.