Valor Mortis Review One More Level Soulslike Industry Impact [2026 Update]

As originally reported by Kotaku, Polish developer One More Level has released Valor Mortis across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, marking a sharp creative departure from their acclaimed cyberpunk speedrunning franchise Ghostrunner. Emerging independently after parting ways with former publishing partner Take-Two Interactive in 2024, the studio has channeled its proprietary combat design into a grim, alternate-history first-person Soulslike. The narrative transports players into a dark 19th-century reality where Napoleon Bonaparte secured total dominion over Europe following the Battle of Waterloo, empowered by a supernatural substance designated as Nephtoglobin. Players assume control of William Dowsett, navigating an oppressive European theater laden with biological horrors and visceral melee skirmishes. This ambitious independent pivot mirrors broader trends explored in , where AA studios deliberately disrupt established genres. While critical evaluations highlight minor late-game technical friction, the title's unsettling aesthetic architecture and unconventional combat loop establish an intriguing benchmark for contemporary mid-tier studio production pipelines.