Ghostrunner creators bring brutal new FPS soulslike to gamescom

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August 21, 2025

On August 21, 2025

When I saw Ghostrunner mentioned in the trailer, I wasn’t expecting a savage soulslike. In a vicious trailer, One More Level debuted Valor Mortis, and it is intense to say the least. If you want to know more, check out the details, and said trailer, below.

KRAKÓW, Poland – Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025 – Today at Opening Night Live, One More Level, creators of the Ghostrunner series, unveiled Valor Mortis, a single-player first-person soulslike game which combines brutal, methodical combat, Metroidvania-inspired levels and a compelling narrative shrouded in horror, corruption, temptation and conspiracy. Located in a warped version of wartorn Eastern Europe during Napoleon’s 19th century conquest, a resurrected French soldier must wield the corrupting power of a mysterious, plague-like substance to save humanity from the very horrors of war it creates. The announcement is accompanied by the signing of a letter of intent with publisher Lyrical Games.

“With Valor Mortis, we wanted to try something new and original – a darker experience, while still offering players a true challenge,” said Szymon Bryla, CEO, One More Level. “After Ghostrunner, we knew we had the foundation to create an FPP title, but this time in a soulslike genre. At the same time, we wanted to stay true to what we do best – making demanding games for hardcore players, set in an engaging, expansive world, while showing that the studio has grown since our previous projects. Valor Mortis is a fresh, new and original take on the soulslike genre that we can’t wait for players to get their hands on.”

In Valor Mortis, players will embody William, a soldier of the Grande Armée brought back to life from his battlefield grave. William awakens from his death to a plague-ridden Europe, only to find his former allies corrupted into abominations by the Nephtoglobin, an unknown substance that grants him supernatural powers but has taken over his comrades. Navigating this world of scorn, William must master combat and channel his newfound ability in a 19th-century alternate history where war has corrupted the landscape, Napoleon’s Eternal Guard lurks around every corner, and unforgettable boss-fight encounters await players.

One More Level aims for a brand-new take on the soulslike experience, serving as an evolution from their past titles. Incorporating precision, player skill and timing elements from the Ghostrunner series, Valor Mortis adds more complex and methodical combat using dual-wielding, ranged weapons, and special abilities known as Transmutations, adding a brand new type of synergy to the soulslike experience.

Audiences attending gamescom can experience the Valor Mortis demo at booth A-053 in Hall 8. Valor Mortis will also be hosting a closed Playtest in the weeks following gamescom. Players can sign up by visiting ValorMortis.com

Valor Mortis will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S in 2026. Audiences can find more information about Valor Mortis at: ValorMortis.com, X, YouTube, Discord, TikTok and Facebook.

A publishing partnership between One More Level and Lyrical Games, a new independent publishing label from Lyrical Media, is currently being finalized; the companies have already begun close cooperation on the title.