Valor Mortis launches on October 13 without difficulty settings. The developers describe the experience not as punishing, but as fair. We take a look at the difference.
Studio One More Level—creators of the Ghostrunner duology—is steadily approaching the release of its new project: Valor Mortis, a dark, first-person soulslike action game. And the news arrives with a point that will likely divide the audience: the game will launch without any difficulty levels. There are no options for beginners or for those looking to make things easier; there is only one way to play—no choices involved.
One More Level CEO Szymon Bryła explained the studio’s stance in an interview. According to him, the overall difficulty should mirror that of any good soulslike: “Challenging and rewarding of persistence, yet understandable and fair.” Everything hinges on player skill, and the developers believe they have struck a healthy balance.
That is the core of the experience. Valor Mortis isn’t about “misery” in the sense of endless deaths caused by unfair mechanics. It is about a challenge that can be overcome once the rules are mastered. Bryła recommends mastering “perfect parrying, like in Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice,” while remaining “aggressive in direct combat, like in Bloodborne.” It’s not about stumbling at every turn, but about finding your own rhythm.
The game takes place in an alternate 19th-century Europe gripped by a supernatural plague. Players step into the shoes of William, a resurrected soldier from Napoleon’s Grande Armée. The Emperor’s voice accompanies the hero throughout the journey. This is more than just window dressing; the setting establishes the tone and explains why the world looks the way it does—grim and hopeless, yet infused with glimpses of superhuman power.
The game was originally scheduled for release on September 24. However, September 2026 turned out to be absolutely packed with new releases: Silent Hill: Townfall, CONTROL Resonant, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and a dozen other major projects. Launching into such a crowded schedule would mean losing the chance to get noticed. Consequently, the developers changed their plans and pushed the release date to October 13. The reason is simple but understandable: to give players—and their wallets—a bit of breathing room.
By the way, while you wait, a demo is already available on Steam. It’s free and offers 3–4 hours of content. Early feedback suggests mixed reviews—hovering around 60–70% positive. But this is just a demo, not the final product; the team will use the extra time before launch to make refinements. Plus, the game will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.
So, who should keep an eye on this? Those who aren’t afraid to learn from their mistakes and are ready to master a system based on parrying and aggressive combat. Those who appreciate a fair challenge rather than artificial difficulty. Casual players likely won’t find a home here. But for everyone else, it’s a chance to get that classic “Soulslike” experience—something that has become increasingly rare of late.
