Valor Mortis Official Reveal Trailer: Ultimate Soulslike Guide 2026
What is Valor Mortis? Valor Mortis is a first-person soulslike action RPG from One More Level, the creators of Ghostrunner, set in a supernatural Napoleonic-era world where players control William, a resurrected soldier exploring dark mysteries.
After watching the official reveal trailer at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 and diving deep into everything One More Level has shared, I’m genuinely excited about what this unique take on the soulslike genre brings to the table. The combination of first-person perspective, historical setting, and supernatural horror elements creates something we haven’t really seen before in the genre.
| Game Feature | Key Details | Platform Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | First-person soulslike action RPG | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC |
| Developer | One More Level (Ghostrunner creators) | All platforms |
| Release Window | 2026 | Simultaneous launch |
| Publisher | Lyrical Games LLC | All regions |
The Official Reveal Trailer Breakdown
The 2-minute and 31-second reveal trailer that premiered at Gamescom 2026 immediately sets a dark, oppressive tone that reminds me of the best moments in FromSoftware’s legendary soulslike games, but with its own distinct flavor. The trailer opens with atmospheric shots of a war-torn Napoleonic battlefield shrouded in supernatural fog, immediately establishing the game’s unique historical-horror blend.
What caught my attention most in the trailer was the deliberate pacing of combat. Unlike Ghostrunner’s lightning-fast gameplay, Valor Mortis shows methodical, weighty combat that soulslike fans will appreciate. The first-person perspective adds an intensity that third-person games can’t quite capture – when a massive corrupted soldier swings at you, you feel the weight and danger in a visceral way.
The trailer showcases several key gameplay elements that have me intrigued. We see William wielding various period-appropriate weapons including sabers, pistols, and what appears to be mystical abilities powered by a substance called Nephtoglobin. This blue, glowing material seems central to both the story and gameplay mechanics, allowing for supernatural attacks and defensive maneuvers.
Visual Design and Atmosphere
One More Level has crafted a genuinely unsettling atmosphere that blends historical accuracy with supernatural horror. The environments shown in the trailer range from destroyed battlefields to gothic structures that wouldn’t look out of place in Bloodborne. The color palette is deliberately muted, with grays and browns dominating the landscape, punctuated by the eerie blue glow of Nephtoglobin.
I particularly appreciated the attention to historical detail in the character designs. Enemy soldiers wear authentic Napoleonic-era uniforms, but corrupted and twisted by supernatural forces. It’s this grounding in reality that makes the horror elements more effective – these were once real soldiers, now transformed into nightmarish beings.
Developer Background: From Ghostrunner to Soulslike
One More Level’s transition from the fast-paced cyberpunk action of Ghostrunner to the methodical challenge of a soulslike might seem surprising, but it makes more sense than you’d initially think. Both games share a commitment to challenging gameplay and precise controls, just expressed in different ways.
CEO Szymon Bryla explained the studio’s vision in an official statement: “With Valor Mortis, we wanted to try something new and original—a darker experience, while still offering players a true challenge. After Ghostrunner, we knew we had the foundation to create an FPP title, but this time in a Soulslike genre.”
This isn’t just a developer jumping on the soulslike bandwagon. Having played through both Ghostrunner games extensively, I can see how One More Level’s expertise in first-person movement and combat mechanics could translate beautifully to the soulslike formula. Ghostrunner demanded pixel-perfect precision and punished mistakes harshly – core tenets of any good soulslike.
The Lyrical Games Partnership
The publishing partnership with Lyrical Games LLC, a new independent label from Lyrical Media, gives One More Level the resources and support to realize their ambitious vision. This backing is crucial for a studio making such a significant genre shift, ensuring they have the time and resources to polish the experience properly.
Gameplay Mechanics and Combat System
Based on hands-on previews from Game Informer and information from the official Steam page, Valor Mortis’s combat system is shaping up to be something special. The game maintains the deliberate, stamina-based combat that defines soulslikes, but the first-person perspective fundamentally changes how encounters play out.
In my experience with first-person melee combat in games, it often feels floaty or imprecise. However, early previews suggest One More Level has solved this problem by giving weapons real weight and impact. Swinging a saber requires commitment – you can’t just spam attacks and hope for the best. Each strike depletes stamina, and mistiming your attacks leaves you vulnerable to devastating counterattacks.
The Nephtoglobin System
The most intriguing gameplay innovation is the Nephtoglobin system. This mysterious blue substance isn’t just a story element – it’s integrated deeply into combat and exploration. From what I’ve gathered, Nephtoglobin serves multiple purposes:
- Offensive abilities: Channel Nephtoglobin for supernatural attacks that can pierce enemy defenses
- Defensive options: Create barriers or enhance dodging capabilities
- Exploration tools: Unlock new areas and reveal hidden paths
- Character progression: Upgrade and customize William’s abilities
This system reminds me of Sekiro’s prosthetic tools or Bloodborne’s hunter tools – optional abilities that can completely change your approach to encounters. The strategic management of this resource adds another layer to the already complex soulslike formula.
Weapon Variety and Combat Styles
The Napoleonic setting opens up fascinating weapon possibilities that we haven’t seen in other soulslikes. The trailer and previews have shown:
- Sabers and swords: Traditional melee weapons with different attack patterns
- Flintlock pistols: Limited ammunition but high damage potential
- Bayoneted muskets: Hybrid weapons offering both ranged and melee options
- Improvised weapons: Environmental objects used in desperate situations
Each weapon type appears to have its own moveset and strategic applications. The limited ammunition for firearms forces tactical thinking – do you save that shot for a critical moment, or use it to thin out enemies before engaging in melee?
Story and Setting: Napoleon’s Army Meets Dark Fantasy
The narrative setup for Valor Mortis is immediately compelling. You play as William, a soldier in Napoleon’s Grande Armée who has been mysteriously resurrected. This isn’t just a generic dark fantasy world – it’s an alternate history where the Napoleonic Wars intersect with supernatural horror.
From the official description and trailer analysis, the story seems to revolve around uncovering why William was brought back to life and what dark forces are at work in this war-torn world. The historical grounding gives the narrative more weight than typical fantasy settings. These were real conflicts with real consequences, now twisted by otherworldly influences.
Environmental Storytelling
Like the best dark fantasy games, Valor Mortis appears to embrace environmental storytelling. The trailer shows battlefields littered with corpses, abandoned camps with personal effects scattered about, and gothic structures hiding dark secrets. Each environment tells a story without requiring exposition dumps or lengthy cutscenes.
I’m particularly interested in how the game will blend historical accuracy with its supernatural elements. Will we encounter famous historical figures corrupted by dark forces? How does the presence of Nephtoglobin change the course of the Napoleonic Wars? These questions have me eager to explore every corner of the game world.
Metroidvania Elements and Exploration
One aspect that sets Valor Mortis apart from traditional soulslikes is its incorporation of Metroidvania elements. The game world isn’t just a series of interconnected levels – it’s a sprawling environment with areas locked behind ability gates.
This design philosophy means that acquiring new Nephtoglobin abilities doesn’t just give you more combat options – it fundamentally changes how you navigate the world. Areas you passed earlier might hide secrets accessible only with later abilities. This encourages the kind of thorough exploration and backtracking that I love in games like Hollow Knight or Bloodstained.
Level Design Philosophy
From what we’ve seen, One More Level is crafting intricate, vertical environments that take full advantage of the first-person perspective. The trailer shows William navigating destroyed buildings, scaling walls, and discovering hidden passages. This three-dimensional exploration adds complexity that many soulslikes lack.
The combination of soulslike difficulty with Metroidvania progression creates interesting risk-reward scenarios. Do you push forward into unknown territory with valuable resources, or backtrack to a safe area? The first-person perspective makes these decisions more intense – you can’t see around corners or over obstacles like in third-person games.
Platform Specifications and Technical Details
Valor Mortis is being developed exclusively for current-generation hardware: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. This focus on modern platforms allows One More Level to push technical boundaries without being held back by last-gen limitations.
PC Requirements and Optimization
While official system requirements haven’t been released yet, based on One More Level’s track record with Ghostrunner, I expect solid optimization across a range of PC configurations. The Ghostrunner games ran beautifully even on mid-range hardware while scaling up impressively on high-end systems.
The Steam page is already live, allowing players to wishlist the game and sign up for beta testing opportunities. The closed playtest signup at ValorMortis.com suggests the developers are committed to gathering player feedback early in development.
Console Features and Enhancements
For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S players, expect the full suite of next-gen features:
- Adaptive triggers (PS5): Feel the tension of drawing a bow or the resistance of a heavy weapon swing
- Haptic feedback: Experience the impact of combat and environmental effects
- Fast loading: Near-instant respawns after death – crucial for a soulslike
- Ray tracing: Enhanced lighting and reflections for atmospheric environments
- 60 FPS target: Smooth, responsive gameplay essential for precise combat
Community Reception and Anticipation
The gaming community’s response to Valor Mortis has been overwhelmingly positive, with particular excitement from both Ghostrunner fans and soulslike enthusiasts. The Steam community hub is already active with discussions about gameplay mechanics, lore theories, and wishlist campaigns.
What I find interesting is how the game appeals to multiple audiences. Ghostrunner fans are curious to see how One More Level handles a slower, more methodical game. Soulslike veterans are intrigued by the first-person perspective and historical setting. History buffs are excited about the Napoleonic era representation. This broad appeal could help Valor Mortis carve out its own niche in the crowded soulslike market.
Comparison to Other Soulslikes
When comparing Valor Mortis to other recent soulslike games like Lies of P, several unique factors stand out:
- First-person perspective: Only a handful of soulslikes attempt this, making Valor Mortis rare
- Historical setting: While Lies of P uses Pinocchio, Valor Mortis grounds itself in real history
- Metroidvania elements: More emphasis on ability-gated exploration than most soulslikes
- Developer pedigree: One More Level’s technical expertise from Ghostrunner
The Gamescom 2026 Demo Experience
Attendees at Gamescom 2026 had the opportunity to play a hands-on demo at Booth A-053 in Hall 8. Early impressions from journalists and content creators who tried the demo have been encouraging. The consensus seems to be that One More Level has successfully translated soulslike mechanics to first-person while maintaining their signature polish.
Game Informer’s Wesley LeBlanc, who got extensive hands-on time, noted that the game “rules” – high praise from someone who’s played countless soulslikes. The demo apparently showcased a vertical slice of gameplay including combat, exploration, and boss encounters, giving players a comprehensive taste of what to expect.
Key Takeaways from Demo Impressions
Based on compiled demo impressions, several aspects stood out:
- Combat feels weighty and impactful: Weapons have real heft, making each swing meaningful
- Difficulty is challenging but fair: Deaths feel like learning opportunities, not cheap tricks
- Atmosphere is genuinely unsettling: The supernatural elements create real tension
- Performance is smooth: Even in this early state, the game runs well
- Boss design is creative: Unique encounters that utilize the first-person perspective
Release Strategy and Future Content
The 2026 release window for Valor Mortis is strategically smart. It avoids the crowded 2025 holiday season while giving One More Level ample time to polish and refine the experience. In the current gaming landscape where rushed releases are all too common, this patient approach is refreshing.
The beta testing program through the official website suggests ongoing community involvement in development. This iterative approach, gathering feedback from dedicated players, worked well for Ghostrunner and should serve Valor Mortis equally well.
Post-Launch Potential
While no DLC or post-launch content has been announced, the game’s setting and structure offer rich possibilities for expansion. The Napoleonic Wars spanned multiple countries and campaigns, providing numerous opportunities for additional content. Imagine exploring different battles, encountering new supernatural threats, or even playing as different characters with unique abilities.
The Metroidvania elements also open doors for new game plus modes or randomizer options that have become popular in similar games. The combination of soulslike and Metroidvania mechanics could support robust post-launch content that keeps players engaged long after release.
Why Valor Mortis Matters for Gaming in 2026
In a year already packed with exciting releases, Valor Mortis stands out as one of the most intriguing action RPG games of 2025-2026. It represents several important trends in modern gaming:
- Genre innovation: Blending established formulas in new ways
- Historical settings: Moving beyond typical fantasy and sci-fi worlds
- Technical ambition: Pushing first-person melee combat forward
- Developer evolution: Studios expanding beyond their comfort zones
The game also demonstrates the continued appetite for challenging, skill-based experiences. While some argue the soulslike market is oversaturated, Valor Mortis proves there’s still room for innovation within the formula.
Tips for Following Valor Mortis Development
If you’re as excited about Valor Mortis as I am, here are the best ways to stay updated on development:
- Wishlist on Steam: Get notifications about updates and release information
- Sign up for beta testing: Visit ValorMortis.com for closed playtest opportunities
- Follow One More Level: Check their official channels for development updates
- Join the Steam Community: Participate in discussions and theory crafting
- Watch for preview coverage: Major outlets will likely have more hands-on opportunities
Final Thoughts on the Valor Mortis Reveal
After analyzing every frame of the trailer, reading developer interviews, and compiling preview impressions, I’m convinced Valor Mortis could be something special. One More Level isn’t just making another soulslike – they’re pushing the genre in new directions while respecting what makes these games compelling.
The combination of first-person perspective, historical setting, and Metroidvania elements creates a unique identity that should help Valor Mortis stand out in an increasingly crowded market. Add in One More Level’s technical expertise and commitment to polished gameplay, and we could have a genuine hit on our hands.
The 2026 release might seem far away, but it gives the developers time to iterate and perfect their vision. Based on what we’ve seen so far, the wait will be worth it. Valor Mortis has the potential to be not just a good soulslike, but a defining entry in the genre that influences future games.
For fans of challenging gameplay, dark atmospheres, and innovative game design, Valor Mortis should absolutely be on your radar. The official reveal trailer is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey toward release.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Valor Mortis releasing?
Valor Mortis is scheduled for release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. No specific date has been announced yet, but the extended development time suggests One More Level is committed to delivering a polished experience.
Is Valor Mortis connected to Ghostrunner?
No, Valor Mortis is a completely new IP from One More Level, unrelated to the Ghostrunner universe. However, the developer’s experience with first-person action games directly influences Valor Mortis’s design and technical execution.
Will Valor Mortis have multiplayer?
Valor Mortis is designed as a single-player experience. One More Level is focusing entirely on crafting a compelling solo adventure without the compromises that often come with multiplayer implementation.
How difficult will Valor Mortis be compared to Dark Souls?
While exact difficulty comparisons are premature, early previews suggest Valor Mortis will offer a challenging but fair experience similar to other soulslikes. The first-person perspective may make certain encounters feel more intense, but the developers are committed to balanced difficulty that rewards skill and patience.
Can I play Valor Mortis on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One?
No, Valor Mortis is being developed exclusively for current-generation platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This allows the developers to fully utilize modern hardware capabilities without last-gen limitations.
What is Nephtoglobin in Valor Mortis?
Nephtoglobin is a mysterious blue substance central to Valor Mortis’s story and gameplay. It grants supernatural abilities for combat and exploration while serving as a key narrative element explaining the game’s supernatural elements and William’s resurrection.
Will there be different difficulty options?
One More Level hasn’t confirmed difficulty options yet. However, given the soulslike genre’s tradition of single-difficulty experiences that players overcome through skill improvement, it’s likely Valor Mortis will follow a similar approach with one balanced difficulty level.
Is there a demo available for Valor Mortis?
Currently, demos are only available at gaming events like Gamescom. However, players can sign up for closed beta testing at ValorMortis.com, which will provide early access opportunities before launch.