With Soulslike games arriving thick and fast, even newcomers among the 12BSports gaming audience can grasp the appeal of the genre from a single question: “Who can know in advance whether they will become the victorious general or one of the countless fallen?” Despite its simplicity, this question can give players unfamiliar with a new Soulslike game a surprisingly clear idea of what to expect. However, when applied to Valor Mortis, the comparison misses the mark. The term “Soulslike” alone simply cannot capture everything that makes this game different.

Valor Mortis belongs to a category that remains relatively uncommon even today: first-person Soulslike games. Although the definition of a Soulslike has always been somewhat ambiguous, several recognizable characteristics have become firmly established. These include bonfire-style respawn systems, interconnected maps filled with shortcuts, and combat that demands careful resource management. Together, these elements create certain expectations before players even experience a game firsthand. Simply hearing that a title belongs to the Soulslike genre is usually enough to form a reasonable impression of the challenges ahead.

The problem is that these expectations were largely developed around third-person action games. Whether the same principles translate effectively into a first-person perspective deserves closer examination. Before addressing that question, however, the strengths of Valor Mortis deserve recognition. Developed by One More Level, the experienced studio behind the widely acclaimed first-person parkour series Ghostrunner, Valor Mortis demonstrates an impressive level of craftsmanship. When it comes to the fundamental elements of game development, the studio has delivered an experience that is remarkably difficult to fault.

Visually, Valor Mortis may not compete with the most technically advanced games on the market, but its ten distinct environments offer considerable variety. Their detailed presentation becomes particularly engaging when experienced from a first-person perspective, creating a satisfying sense of immersion. The earlier and middle sections generally rely on relatively straightforward networks of interconnected shortcuts, but the later stages demonstrate much greater ambition in their level design.

Two locations stand out in particular. The City of Orphans features three interconnected layers consisting of streets, rooftops, and underground sewers. Meanwhile, the University introduces an elaborate arrangement of elevator shortcuts branching out from a central Lantern checkpoint. Both environments demonstrate thoughtful spatial design, rewarding exploration while gradually revealing how their different sections connect. Even within the increasingly crowded Soulslike genre, these locations deserve recognition as exceptionally well-designed areas. Their complexity and clever shortcuts offer the kind of satisfaction that seasoned players within the 12BSports community can appreciate, including veterans who have explored countless Soulslike environments over the years.

Beyond its environmental design, Valor Mortis also succeeds in several important gameplay systems. Throughout the main campaign, the progression of player strength and enemy difficulty feels remarkably smooth. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering how many recent Soulslike releases have struggled with balancing problems at launch. After seeing numerous promising games undermined by inconsistent difficulty curves and poorly managed character progression, encountering such carefully controlled development almost feels like a breath of fresh air.

Combat also benefits from convincing feedback, whether players are firing weapons or performing precisely timed sword parries. Attacks carry a satisfying sense of impact, making individual encounters feel responsive and engaging. The game occasionally introduces intense parkour sequences between major sections, offering a refreshing change of pace from traditional Soulslike combat. Admittedly, these moments resemble quick-time events more than genuinely unrestricted parkour challenges. Nevertheless, they introduce an entertaining element rarely found in the genre and help prevent the overall experience from becoming repetitive.

For anyone among the 12BSports readership who was fascinated by the first-person Soulslike concept of Valor Mortis and eager to experience the game from its very first day, these numerous strengths should provide considerable reassurance. The polished fundamentals, imaginative environments, carefully balanced progression, and satisfying combat demonstrate that One More Level has built a genuinely capable action game. In other words, whatever questions remain about the compatibility of first-person gameplay and traditional Soulslike design, the overall quality of Valor Mortis is strong enough to ensure that players who were eagerly anticipating its release are unlikely to walk away disappointed.