Lyrical Games and Developers One More Level drop the hand-drawn opening cinematic trailer as the first-person Soulslike arrives day one on XBOX Game Pass
Lyrical Games today launched Valor Mortis, the first-person Soulslike from Ghostrunner creators One More Level, on PS5, XBOX Series X|S, XBOX Game Pass, and Steam for $39.99. Lyrical Games also marked launch day by releasing the game’s opening cinematic trailer, in which Napoleon rallies his eager troops for the bloodshed to come.
Told through striking hand-drawn art, the opening cinematic begins with Napoleon addressing his cheering Grande Armée as the enigmatic power of Nephtoglobin envelops him. Moments later, his soldiers fall as gunfire and cannonballs rip through their ranks, and Nephtoglobin creeps toward the corpse of protagonist William Dowsett, kicking off the game’s events.
Valor Mortis is also available in a Deluxe Edition for $59.99 which includes a Major Story DLC launching next year and several cosmetic packs releasing before then. Multiple free updates are also planned for the weeks and months ahead.
Earlier this month, Lyrical Games released behind-the-scenes interviews with César Award-winning actor Vincent Cassel (Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte) and BAFTA Award-winning voice actress Jennifer English (The Shrike). In the first, released October 6, Jennifer English discusses her role as The Shrike, a key figure in the resistance to Napoleon’s war, and how she prepared to play her. Watch it here. In the second, released October 7, Vincent Cassel recounts that his Auntie would call Napoleon “a cousin of the family.” Watch it here. English and Cassel star alongside James Alexander, who voices protagonist William Dowsett.
Valor Mortis Key Features:
- A Grand Napoleonic Narrative: Napoleon’s conquest has unleashed something far more horrifying than war. Play as William, a resurrected soldier of the Grande Armée guided by Napoleon’s disembodied voice, as you traverse ravaged battlefields, sprawling mountains, and historical cities consumed by a grotesque plague — the same corruption that pulses through William’s veins and gave him life.
- First-Person Soulslike Combat: Challenging, stamina-and-skill-based combat designed to feel threatening and immersive, drawing on One More Level’s expertise in first-person perspective. Every death is a stepping stone to mastery as you perfect your ability to parry blows, dash out of harm’s way, and deliver ravaging, visceral finishers.
- Dual-Wielding and Supernatural Powers: Master fluid combat by weaving together Napoleonic-era weaponry, such as rapiers and flintlock pistols, while also utilizing William’s devastating supernatural abilities.
- Metroidvania-Style Exploration: Use William’s newfound mobility to outrun and flank Napoleon’s plague-ridden Eternal Guard. Progress carefully, uncover environmental secrets, and survive the rotting remnants of an endless war.
- Superb Audiovisual Quality: A disturbing aesthetic built on theatrical lighting and mature, grim themes, with an original score co-composed by Arkadiusz Reikowski, known for his work on Silent Hill 2 Remake, The Medium, and Layers of Fear 1 and 2, alongside in-house composer Oskar Ba?a.
To stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates for Valor Mortis, visit the official website and follow their social media channels: Instagram, and X/Twitter.
