Ever since Valor Mortis, the first-person action RPG (yes, a Soulslike), was revealed at Gamescom 2025, my interest has been piqued. We’ve seen plenty of first-person adventure titles, but rarely one that embraces the action RPG formula. As a long-time fan of Soulslikes, I immediately wondered why there weren’t more games like this. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the trip to Gamescom—both because of cost and my reluctance to fly across large bodies of water—so I missed the reveal in person.
Thankfully, ahead of PAX West 2025, I spotted an announcement in the official Valor Mortis Discord that the game, along with several of its developers, would be playable at the show. It felt like a bit of luck was on my side, and despite the heavy workload that comes with covering PAX West 2025, I made sure to stop by the booth for some hands-on time and developer conversations.
Finally Getting Some Hands-On
On the second day of the event, I made my way over to the Valor Mortis booth to speak with the devs and get some hands-on. Once I was handed the controller, I started getting used to the mechanics. You got your attack, block, parry, backstepping, collecting currency to level up your character, and managing a strict stamina meter all felt familiar. Basically, all the things that you’ll find in a Soulslike. Adjusting to the first-person perspective in a Soulslike took a few moments, but once it clicked, the systems became second nature.
The parry system especially stood out. Like in other Soulslikes, you tap the block button at the exact moment an enemy’s attack lands. Pulling it off not only deflected the blow but also staggered enemies, leaving them open for a powerful counterattack. Against weaker foes it meant instant kills, while tougher enemies still took significant damage. Honestly, parrying feels overpowering or broken, mainly because once you master it, you’re dispatching enemies with ease, and even bosses are vulnerable to it. Of course, this was a demo, and the game isn’t anywhere close to being completed, so that could all change.
In addition to the standard melee weapon, the demo included a pistol that you’d find deeper into the run. It provided a handy long-range option but came with limited ammo, so you had to be careful when using it. A bit further in, I unlocked a flame spell that could set enemies and obstacles ablaze. Its cone effect was especially useful, letting me torch groups of enemies while applying a lingering fire debuff. Those were the only secondary tools available in the demo, but when I asked about more, the developers hinted at additional firearms, including a musket, and even a shield, though they stayed tight-lipped on the details.
Selfishly, I wanted more time, but what I played was enough to leave me impressed. Any doubts I had about the format were gone. Even in a short demo, Valor Mortis proved that One More Level is onto something special.
Where did Valor Mortis Come From?
Developer One More Level isn’t new to first-person games. They built the excellent Ghostrunner and its follow-up, so shifting to a slower, more deliberate Soulslike was a change of pace. When I asked the team about this direction, they explained that they wanted to apply what they’d learned from Ghostrunner to a different genre. Being fans of Elden Ring, Dark Souls III, and Lies of P, the Soulslike formula felt like the right space to experiment in.
I followed up by asking why they chose a first-person perspective and a Napoleonic-era setting. The narrative designer explained that no one had really tackled the concept before, and it was their chance to innovate in a space largely dominated by FromSoftware. By blending Soulslike mechanics with a fresh viewpoint, they hope to deliver something familiar yet new. After playing it myself, I’d say they’re on the right track—a first-person Soulslike is certainly a unique experience.
As for the Napoleonic-era, the choice was deliberate. Since so many Soulslike games are rooted in dark fantasy and a few in sci-fi, it was time for something different. While some may be scratching their heads at this decision, One More Level is confident they can craft a unique experience using this era, and I think players will enjoy the change.
My time with Valor Mortis was limited to about 25 minutes per run, as the demo was timed and since the line to play kept growing and the booth only had one demo station, I didn’t get a chance to return. Still, I was grateful for the chance, especially considering that One More Level had just flown in from showcasing Valor Mortis at Gamescom. The PAX West appearance was a last-minute decision, and while I’m sure they would have preferred a good night’s sleep, getting the game into more hands was worth it. I spoke with players who had either played the demo or were watching from the line, and the reaction was positive across the board.
Lastly, if you want to get your hands on Valor Mortis, One More Level is hosting an upcoming playtest. You can sign up at Valormortis.firstlooking.gg for a chance to join the action.
