The burgeoning subgenre of Soulslike games is about to receive its most unconventional entry yet. Developers One More Level, the studio renowned for the critically acclaimed, fast-paced first-person action of the Ghostrunner series, have officially opened sign-ups for the public playtest of their latest project: Valor Mortis. The game is an ambitious attempt to transplant the methodical, punishing core of the Soulslike formula—which traditionally relies on a third-person perspective—into a highly immersive first-person view.

For players and industry observers who have been asking, “Can a first-person Soulslike work?”, this playtest offers the definitive answer, making this an essential testing phase for the future of high-difficulty gaming.

Playtest Details: How to Experience the Napoleonic Horror

The playtest phase is a critical step for One More Level as they seek community feedback on the highly scrutinized first-person melee combat system. The developers have acknowledged the inherent challenges of this design choice and are keen to tune the experience for hardcore players.

• Sign-Up Process: Players can secure early access to the playtest by signing up via the official Valor Mortis Firstlook.gg page, or through the Steam playtest function. The team is prioritizing those who sign up directly for a head start before inviting users from the Steam waitlist in incremental waves.
• Playtest Content: The test build, which is a condensed version of the game’s opening chapter, will feature the initial level progression, an early iteration of the skill tree, various enemy types, and culminates in both a challenging mini-boss and a major boss encounter. This ensures participants get a comprehensive taste of the gameplay loop.
• Availability: The playtest is scheduled to run for a full week, from October 6th to October 13th (Note: The current real-world date is September 26th, making this a timely announcement), and will be available exclusively on PC via Steam for this phase.

Valor Mortis: Gameplay and Setting Innovations

Set in a horrifying, fictionalized version of 19th-century Eastern Europe during Napoleon’s conquest, Valor Mortis places players in the boots of William, a resurrected soldier of the Grande Armée. Corrupted yet empowered by a mysterious plague-like substance known as Nephtoglobin, William must master his newfound supernatural abilities to combat former comrades-turned-abominations.

The game attempts a unique fusion of genres and mechanics:

• Immersive Combat: The core loop revolves around deliberate, stamina-managed melee combat, with a heavy emphasis on precise parrying and dodging. The first-person perspective is designed to intensify the feeling of dueling, where successful parries are met with a deeply satisfying sound effect and momentary slow-motion effect, reminiscent of the precision expected from a Triple-A title.
• Dual-Wielding and Transmutations: William is armed with a traditional cutlass for melee and a pistol for precision shots to target enemy weak points. Adding a BioShock-like element, he also wields Transmutations—plague-fueled powers like projecting fire from his palm—which adds an essential layer of crowd control and elemental status effects to the combat.
• Level Design: Eschewing the traditional open-world map, the game utilizes a more focused, yet interconnected, Metroidvania-inspired level design. New abilities unlocked through progression will allow players to revisit earlier areas to access hidden paths, optional content, and secrets, ensuring high replayability and reward for exploration.
• Visual and Narrative Tone: The setting combines the gritty reality of the Napoleonic Wars with intense body horror and gothic imagery, all under the unsettling influence of the Nephtoglobin and the lingering ‘voice’ of Napoleon. This dark, unique aesthetic sets it apart from typical dark fantasy RPGs.

The Path to Release: 2026 and Beyond

While the developers have yet to commit to a hard launch date, Valor Mortis is currently slated for a full release sometime in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The current playtest is a crucial juncture, and players who participate have a real chance to influence the final product. The move from the developers of Ghostrunner to tackle a slower, more deliberate, first-person Soulslike is a bold statement, and the outcome of this test will determine if this new perspective can withstand the pressure of the genre’s demanding player base, solidifying its position in the highly competitive video game industry.

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