Valor Mortis review
Valor Mortis plays a bit of a sneaky trick. For a while, it keeps it straight. 'Yes', it seems to say; 'I'm definitely a Soulslike. Look at my bonfire equivalents, my healing flasks, my corpse runs, even my early impossi-boss feints. Look at my cautious action, my fog gates, the oppressive air of melancholy that lingers over these fields of mud and blood'. But jumpcut to a few hours later, and…
Valor Mortis begins as a traditional Soulslike, with a soldier protagonist in Napoleon's army and familiar mechanics like bonfires, healing flasks, and corpse runs. However, as the gameplay progresses, it introduces first-person wall-running, grapple-swings, parry slashing, and slow-mo bullet-time high-jumps. The game is developed by One More Level, known for their previous titles Ghostrunner and Ghostrunner 2.
The protagonist, William Dowsett, fights using a saber initially, and combat involves cautious observation, patient trading of blows, and nimble sidesteps to avoid powerful, unblockable attacks. As the game progresses, players can use pistols, shotguns, rifles, a rapier, and even magical abilities. The game is challenging but forgiving, with enemy types that vary in aggression and attack patterns, allowing players to experiment and adapt.
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Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Valor Mortis Review ign.com
