Ghostrunner developer One More Level is trading futuristic swordplay for a supernatural Napoleonic battlefield. Publisher Lyrical Games has released a new gameplay overview trailer for Valor Mortis, breaking down the first-person Soulslike’s weapons, abilities, and character progression ahead of its October 13 launch.
Narrated by protagonist William Dowsett’s voice actor, James Alexander, the trailer also features extended gameplay footage showing new levels and environments. Valor Mortis launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam for $39.99, with day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass.
Weapons, Parries, and Supernatural Powers
Combat revolves around stamina management, light and heavy attacks, parries, and counterattacks. Weapon choice also matters when facing different enemies, with the trailer highlighting a slow, hard-hitting Claymore and a two-handed Musket that offers greater range and power than William’s pistol.
William’s left hand handles Transmutations, supernatural abilities used for offense, defense, and traversal. Fire can set enemies ablaze, while Shield absorbs damage before releasing a shockwave. Grapple lets William move through environments using designated grapple points, bringing some aerial mobility to the battlefield.
Catalysts and Ambers Shape Your Build
Players spend Catalysts at Lanterns to improve stats such as health, stamina, and parry. In familiar Soulslike fashion, that upgrade currency drops where William falls when he dies.
Ambers provide another way to customize his build. Found throughout the game and equipped at Lanterns as William levels up, they offer enhancements that help tailor the character to different playstyles. Between weapon selection, Transmutations, and these upgrades, players have several ways to approach the game’s first-person encounters.
Jennifer English and Vincent Cassel Join the Cast
The trailer reveals Jennifer English as The Shrike and James Alexander as William Dowsett, joining Vincent Cassel as Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.
William is an English volunteer who joined Napoleon’s army after becoming disillusioned with the monarchy. He awakens on a devastated battlefield with little memory of his past, leaving players to decide whether to trust survivors who claim to know him.
The story takes place in an alternate history where Napoleon won at Waterloo, though his campaign has since stalled in Eastern Europe as the war takes an unnatural turn. A mysterious connection allows William to hear the Emperor inside his head. Later, The Shrike—a rebel fighting against the Empire’s occupation—adds her own voice to the conversation, with her own plans for William.
Deluxe Edition Includes Story DLC Planned for 2027
Alongside the $39.99 standard release, Valor Mortis will offer a $59.99 Deluxe Edition. It includes a major story DLC planned for 2027 and several cosmetic packs scheduled to release between launch and the expansion.
Multiple free updates are also planned for the weeks and months following release, though their specific additions have yet to be detailed.
Valor Mortis launches October 13, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, and joins Xbox Game Pass the same day.
