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Valor Mortis Gameplay Dives Into Weapons, Builds and Transmutations
With launch just a week away, Lyrical Games and One More Level have released an extended gameplay overview for Valor Mortis, breaking down how its first-person take on Soulslike combat actually works.
Launching October 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam, the game puts players in the boots of William Dowsett, an English soldier who fought for Napoleon before waking from death in a supernatural version of 19th-century Europe.
We previously got a taste of that formula through Valor Mortis’ first public playtest, while its Gamescom 2026 showing offered a closer look at its alternate Napoleonic setting. The new Gameplay Overview trailer now goes much deeper into the systems that tie everything together.
Valor Mortis Mixes Swords, Firearms and Supernatural Powers
Combat revolves around familiar Soulslike fundamentals including stamina management, light and heavy attacks, parries and counterattacks, but shifts everything into a first-person perspective.
Weapons range from the heavy two-handed Claymore to the longer-range Musket, and players are encouraged to switch equipment depending on the enemy they face. William can also wield Transmutations through his left hand. Fire sets enemies ablaze, Shield absorbs incoming damage before releasing a shockwave, while Grapple doubles as both a combat and traversal tool.
Character progression follows similarly familiar territory. Catalysts serve as the main upgrade currency and drop at the location of William’s death, while Lanterns let players improve attributes including health, stamina, and parrying. Ambers provide further build customisation as players level up.
Vincent Cassel and Jennifer English Join the Cast
James Alexander narrates the gameplay showcase, voicing William. He is joined by Vincent Cassel as Napoleon Bonaparte and Jennifer English as rebel fighter The Shrike. Both characters eventually occupy William’s thoughts, with Napoleon and The Shrike pulling him towards very different sides of the conflict.
Valor Mortis launches October 13 for US$39.99 and will also be available day one through Xbox Game Pass. A US$59.99 Deluxe Edition includes a major story DLC planned for 2027, along with several cosmetic packs, and free updates are also planned after launch.
Players can currently wishlisted the game on Steam ahead of release.
