Valor Mortis Out Now on Game Pass: First-Person Soulslike

October 14, 2026

The soulslike genre has a new contender — and it's in first person. Valor Mortis, from One More Level, the studio behind Ghostrunner, launched on October 13 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, and it's available day one on Xbox Game Pass. Early reviews suggest this is one of the most interesting takes on the formula in years.

You play as William, a soldier of Napoleon's Grande Armée who returns from the dead with corrupted supernatural powers, fighting through a plague-ravaged alternate version of 19th-century Europe. It's a setting the genre has never really touched — and according to reviewers, the first-person perspective changes everything about how soulslike combat feels.

What Is Valor Mortis?

Valor Mortis is a first-person action RPG built on soulslike foundations: deliberate stamina-based combat, punishing enemies, and the genre's signature loop where every death makes you stronger. But the first-person camera transforms the formula. Combat revolves around parries, dashes, and visceral finishers across a variety of weapons, with a corrupted-power system that lets you channel supernatural abilities to enhance attacks and unlock new powers.

The Napoleonic setting isn't window dressing. Plague-ridden abominations stalk reimagined European battlefields and cathedrals, and the alternate-history 19th century gives the game a visual identity distinct from the genre's usual dark-fantasy castles. One More Level's Ghostrunner DNA shows in the movement: reviewers consistently praise the game's speed, aggression, and fluid traversal as a genuine evolution of the studio's style.

Valor Mortis Reviews: What Critics Say

Reviews landed alongside the October 13 release, and the reception has been warm. GameRant called it “the most refreshing soulslike in years,” praising its focused, expressive combat and incredible level design — a slick mix of Ghostrunner, BioShock, and Dark Souls. The review highlights the $40 price point as exceptional value for what's on offer.

The praise comes with caveats worth knowing. Reviewers note the storytelling and world-building are mediocre, and performance can be inconsistent — GameRant reported a non-negligible amount of miscellaneous bugs even post-patch, particularly on PC. The narrative won't win awards, but the consensus is clear: the gameplay is too good to pass up, especially for Ghostrunner and soulslike fans.

Valor Mortis on Game Pass: Day-One Details

Valor Mortis is a day-one Game Pass release for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members, playable on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and handhelds like the Xbox Ally. At a $40 standalone price, it's also one of the more affordable day-one launches of the year if you'd rather own it — it's available on Steam, PS5, and Xbox.

For Game Pass subscribers, it's essentially a no-risk proposition: one of October's most acclaimed new releases, free with your existing subscription, in a genre where trying before committing is half the battle.

Why Valor Mortis Stands Out

The soulslike space is notoriously cutthroat — for every Lies of P, there are a dozen forgettable imitators. Valor Mortis earns attention by committing to two ideas most soulslikes won't touch: a first-person camera and a Napoleonic horror setting. That it's also launching at $40, day one on Game Pass, from a studio with Ghostrunner's pedigree, makes it one of October's smartest bets. Whether you're a soulslike veteran or a curious newcomer, this is a rare case where the subscription lets you take the risk for free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Valor Mortis on Xbox Game Pass?

Yes. Valor Mortis launched day one on Xbox Game Pass on October 13, 2026, for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members, on console, PC, cloud, and handheld.

How much does Valor Mortis cost?

$40 USD — notably cheaper than the standard $70 AAA price, which reviewers have highlighted as excellent value.

What platforms is Valor Mortis on?

PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It's rated Mature 17+ for intense violence, blood and gore, and strong language.

Is Valor Mortis like Ghostrunner?

It shares the developer (One More Level) and the fast, aggressive movement philosophy, but Valor Mortis is a first-person soulslike RPG with stamina combat and character progression — a different genre at a different pace.

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