Valor Mortis First Public Playtest Opens in October

Ghostrunner Developers’ Next Soulslike

One More Level and Lyrical Games have announced that Valor Mortis, their upcoming first-person action soulslike, will hold its first public playtest from October 6–13. Players can sign up now via Firstlook.gg to gain access to the pre-alpha demo.

The event marks the first time the broader public will experience Valor Mortis, following the game’s strong debut at Gamescom. The pre-alpha build includes the full introductory chapter, featuring a boss fight, a mini-boss, 10 levels of player progression, and access to the first section of the upgrade tree.

The demo is localised in 15 languages, offering a global audience an early look at the game’s atmospheric world and punishing combat.

An Alternate History of War and Corruption

In Valor Mortis, players take on the role of William, a fallen soldier of the Grande Armée resurrected on a plague-ravaged European battlefield. Gifted and cursed by Nephtoglobin — a mysterious substance that grants supernatural abilities while corrupting his allies — William must fight through a world of ruin where Napoleon’s Eternal Guard and other abominations stand in his way. Boss encounters and skill-based combat will demand precision, strategy, and mastery of the game’s unique systems.

Community Contests and Rewards

To accompany the playtest, the studio is launching several community contests. Players will be able to participate in speedrun challenges, fan art competitions, and screenshot submissions, with winners earning prize packs that can be redeemed upon the full game’s launch. More details on rules and rewards can be found on the game’s official Discord.

What’s Next

The October playtest is designed to gather early feedback from players before further development milestones. With its mix of haunting atmosphere, challenging design, and community engagement, Valor Mortis is positioning itself as one of the most notable soulslike releases.