Valor Mortis is one of the most unusual action RPGs on the horizon: a first-person Soulslike set in an alternate 19th-century Europe ruled by Napoleon. That alone makes it worth watching, but the October 2025 public playtest is what really gave players a better look at how the game is shaping up.
If you are curious about this “first person Soulslike” idea, here’s a practical breakdown of what Valor Mortis is, what the playtest offered, and what to expect if you want to try it when new test periods or updates become available.
What Valor Mortis is
Valor Mortis is a single-player action exploration game built around Soulslike combat, but played from a first-person perspective. Instead of the usual third-person camera, you experience the world directly through William, a resurrected former soldier from Napoleon’s army.
The setting leans heavily into horror, supernatural elements, and war-torn atmosphere. From the available material, the game is aiming for a grim, psychological tone rather than a simple power fantasy.
Quick overview
| Feature | What players know so far |
|---|---|
| Genre | First-person Soulslike action exploration |
| Main character | William, a resurrected soldier of Napoleon’s army |
| Setting | Alternate 19th-century Europe |
| Tone | Dark, disturbing, horror-driven |
| Combat style | Stamina-based, deliberate, skill-focused |
| Special powers | Supernatural “transmutations” |
| Progression | Skill tree and ability-based growth |
| Exploration | Metroidvania-style gating and backtracking |
| Planned platforms | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X |
| Release window | 2026 |
Why the first-person angle matters
The biggest selling point is also the biggest risk. Soulslikes normally rely on spacing, visible enemy animations, and good peripheral awareness. First-person changes all of that.
In Valor Mortis, the camera is meant to make combat and horror feel more immediate. You are not just watching William survive the nightmare world. You are placed inside it.
That can be exciting for players who want a more immersive, claustrophobic experience. It can also make boss fights and enemy reading more demanding, since you lose the broad field of view that third-person Soulslikes usually provide.
What the October 2025 playtest included
The public playtest was scheduled for October 6–13, 2025. According to the available information, it let players sample the game’s opening chapter rather than a tiny slice of content.
Playtest contents at a glance
| Playtest feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Availability | Public playtest |
| Dates | October 6–13, 2025 |
| Main content | Full introductory chapter |
| Boss content | Mini-boss and major boss fight |
| Progression | Ten levels of player progression |
| Upgrade content | First section of the upgrade tree |
That makes the playtest especially useful for judging the basics: combat pacing, progression, and whether the first-person perspective feels workable in real play.
Story and setting: Napoleon, plague, and horror
Valor Mortis stands out because of its alternate-history premise. You play as William, a former soldier of Napoleon’s Grande Armée who has been brought back from death. He awakens in a version of Europe where Napoleon won, but the continent has been transformed into a nightmare of plague, corruption, and supernatural horrors.
This is not presented as a simple historical what-if. The available material points to themes of war trauma, leadership, power, freedom, and corruption. That gives the game a more serious tone than a basic monster-slaying setup.
Story themes that may shape the game
- War and its aftermath
- Psychological trauma
- Corruption through power
- Survival in a ruined world
- Historical fantasy with horror elements
How combat appears to work
Valor Mortis is described as challenge-focused and stamina-based, which is what you would expect from a Soulslike. Combat appears slower and more deliberate than One More Level’s Ghostrunner, with an emphasis on timing, dodging, and reading enemy attacks.
The key difference is that this all happens in first person.
That means the game has to do extra work to keep attacks readable. Clear animations, strong audio cues, and good hit feedback matter more than usual. If those elements are strong, combat could feel tense and rewarding. If they are not, the game could feel unfair.
Combat basics players should expect
| Combat element | What it likely means in practice |
|---|---|
| Stamina management | You cannot spam attacks or dodges forever |
| Timing | Careful blocks, dodges, and punish windows matter |
| Enemy reading | Clear tells are important in first person |
| Weapon variety | Period weapons and melee tools are part of the mix |
| Finishers | Visceral finishers are part of the combat flow |
What are transmutations?
One of the most interesting systems in Valor Mortis is its supernatural power set, called transmutations.
These powers seem to act like versatile combat tools rather than passive bonuses. The material shown so far suggests they can support offense, control, and maybe even defensive utility. Think of them as a way to add flexibility to a very deliberate combat system.
Players may be able to combine transmutations with melee attacks and weapons in quick succession, which gives the game a more tactical feel than a standard stamina-only action title.
Why transmutations matter
- They add variety to fights
- They may help players recover from mistakes
- They can create space against aggressive enemies
- They give the combat a supernatural edge
- They help distinguish Valor Mortis from other Soulslikes
Exploration and Metroidvania structure
Valor Mortis is not just about fighting. The game also includes clear Metroidvania-style design elements.
That means players should expect nonlinear exploration, locked paths, and ability-gated areas that open up later when you gain the right tool or power. In a first-person horror setting, this can make backtracking feel tense rather than routine.
Exploration features players may notice
| Exploration feature | Likely impact |
|---|---|
| Nonlinear paths | Areas can be revisited later with new abilities |
| Ability gating | Progress may depend on specific powers or upgrades |
| Backtracking | Older areas may become useful again |
| Environmental secrets | Hidden routes or items may reward exploration |
If you like exploration that loops back on itself, this structure could be a strong fit.
Progression and upgrades
The playtest material points to a skill tree and level-based progression system. The October 2025 test reportedly let players experience ten levels of progression and part of the upgrade tree, which suggests the game wants you to slowly build a more capable version of William over time.
That kind of growth is important in a Soulslike, because difficulty often comes from learning and improving rather than simple stat inflation. If Valor Mortis keeps that balance, progression should feel meaningful without removing the challenge.
Technical impressions so far
The early build shown in the available material looked surprisingly polished for pre-alpha. That does not guarantee the final game will launch perfectly, but it is a positive sign.
One of the more notable points was performance on a high-end PC, where the game reportedly ran smoothly at 4K with ray tracing enabled. That suggests the technical foundation is promising, especially for an Unreal Engine 5 game.
The PC version also appears to support ultrawide displays properly, including HUD placement. For players who use wide monitors, that is a welcome detail.
Technical check list
| Area | Reported impression |
|---|---|
| Visual quality | Strong for an early build |
| PC support | Ultrawide support noted |
| Performance | Promising on high-end hardware |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Optimization outlook | Encouraging, but still subject to change |
Who should keep an eye on Valor Mortis?
Valor Mortis is probably not for everyone, but it sounds ideal for players who want something different.
You may want to follow it if you enjoy:
- Soulslikes with a twist
- First-person action games
- Dark horror settings
- Historical fantasy with a supernatural edge
- Exploration-heavy progression
- Games that reward patience and precision
If you prefer fast, flashy action with lots of freedom, the methodical combat style may feel slower than you want. But if you like tense combat and atmospheric worldbuilding, this one could be a standout.
How to try the game
The public playtest was the main public hands-on opportunity mentioned in the source material. Players were directed to sign up through the official game website or request access through the Steam page.
Because playtests and early access plans can change, the safest move is to check the game’s current store page and official site for the latest test windows, platform details, and availability.
What makes Valor Mortis different?
A lot of games borrow from Soulslikes. Valor Mortis tries to change the formula in three major ways:
| Standout feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| First-person perspective | Makes combat and horror more immediate |
| Napoleonic horror setting | Gives the game a fresh historical identity |
| Transmutations | Adds flexible supernatural combat options |
That combination is what makes the game memorable. Even if you are skeptical of first-person Soulslike combat, the concept is strong enough to justify paying attention.
Final thoughts
Valor Mortis is still a high-risk, high-reward idea. The first-person camera could make enemy reading harder, but it could also make the world feel more personal, more oppressive, and more frightening in a way third-person games cannot match.
The October 2025 playtest gave players a first real look at its opening chapter, its bosses, its progression, and its unusual blend of soulslike combat and supernatural powers. If the final game delivers on the premise, it could be one of the most distinctive action games of 2026.
FAQ
Is Valor Mortis really a first-person Soulslike?
Yes. The available material describes it as a first-person action Soulslike with exploration elements.
What was included in the October 2025 playtest?
The playtest included the full introductory chapter, a mini-boss, a major boss fight, ten levels of progression, and the first part of the upgrade tree.
What kind of powers does the game have?
The game features supernatural abilities called transmutations, which appear to add flexible combat options alongside weapons and melee attacks.
When is Valor Mortis expected to release?
The currently listed release window is 2026, though players should check the official site or store page for updates.