Unveiling Valor Mortis: A Unique Napoleonic Soulslike Adventure from One More Level

The studio **One More Level**, known for its parkour action titles **Ghostrunner**, is diligently working on a soulslike game titled **Valor Mortis**. At the Polish event Game Industry Conference, a journalist from **IGN** spoke with game director **Radosław Ratusznik**. Here are some intriguing highlights from the interview.

**Valor Mortis** is set during the Napoleonic Wars. As Ratusznik shared, the developers opted first for gameplay mechanics rather than a setting; they aimed to create a first-person action game that blends melee combat, firearms, and magic. The lead concept artist of the project has a background in history, leading **One More Level** to develop a fantasy universe where an army of the undead, commanded by Napoleon, ravages Europe.

**Radosław Ratusznik**, game director of **Valor Mortis**

The main character of **Valor Mortis** is William, a British soldier who joins Napoleon’s forces, captivated by the dream of a free Europe. Unlike his fellow soldiers, the protagonist has the ability to control a substance called necroglobin, which causes mutations in the deceased. William retains his sanity as he confronts monstrous foes on twisted battlefields. According to Ratusznik, the game will also explore the horrors of war.

**Radosław Ratusznik**, game director of **Valor Mortis**

The team at **One More Level** embraces the label of «soulslike.» Ratusznik firmly believes that **Valor Mortis** is a legitimate entry in this genre. The game features a stamina-based combat system, character progress is saved at «campfires» (lamps), and enemies respawn after saving. Additionally, exploration and boss encounters play a significant role.

While many soulslike creators prefer a third-person perspective, **One More Level** has opted for a first-person view. The team drew inspiration not only from their own **Ghostrunner** series but also from other Polish action games like **Dying Light** and **Cyberpunk 2077**. Implementing swordplay with a first-person perspective is challenging, which led the developers to employ some clever tricks.

**Radosław Ratusznik**, game director of **Valor Mortis**

Lastly, the discussion turned to the console versions of **Valor Mortis**:

**Valor Mortis** is set to launch in 2026 on PC (via [Steam](https://stopgame.ru/to?https%3A%2F%2Fstore.steampowered.com%2Fapp%2F2828710%2FValor_Mortis%2F)), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. A text translation in Russian will be included.