Valor Mortis Developers Embrace Soulslike Identity, Won't Compromise for Mass Appeal

Valor Mortis Developers Embrace Soulslike Identity, Won't Compromise for Mass Appeal

During the opening ceremony of gamescom 2025, One More Level officially unveiled Valor Mortis, a new soulslike title. The developers were open about their primary inspiration, directly stating that key elements of their game are drawn from the acclaimed Dark Souls series.

The team at One More Level recently addressed community questions regarding their game's genre classification. A Reddit user asked why the studio labeled Valor Mortis as a soulslike, suggesting the game appeared unique enough to stand on its own and that the genre tag might deter players tired of the formula. The project's Community Manager offered a clear explanation:

"We simply want to be honest in our description! The game is crafted in the soulslike format — you'll need to collect 'souls,' light 'bonfires,' and confront bosses designed to be incredibly challenging. There's also backtracking involved to uncover secrets. We genuinely consider this game a true soulslike and prefer to be transparent rather than worry about any negative connotations."

Furthermore, a One More Level representative revealed that the acclaimed Dishonored series also influenced the studio. However, they emphasized that Valor Mortis is an action game, not a stealth title, despite the creative inspiration.

The developers are fully aware that soulslikes are a niche genre, catering to a specific audience. This understanding underpins their design philosophy, as the team is not striving to create a game that appeals to the broadest possible player base. In this regard, the representative drew parallels between their upcoming action game and their previous work, the Ghostrunner duology.

"...We aren't trying to make a game for everyone. If you've played Ghostrunner, you already grasp this. It was a niche and unforgiving game that many players abandoned, but that's another factor that led us towards soulslikes. If anyone can create such a game from a first-person perspective, I believe we have a strong chance."

Valor Mortis is slated for release in 2026 and will be available on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game will also include Russian text localization. Currently, players interested in getting an early look can sign up on Steam for a September playtest.

This candid approach from One More Level signals that players can expect a focused, challenging experience designed specifically for fans of the soulslike genre, much like their previous intense action titles. It's a clear message that difficulty and a distinct vision will take precedence over widespread appeal, promising a dedicated and potentially brutal first-person adventure.