Valor Mortis immediately brings to mind the delightfully macabre tabletop game Turnip28, an alternate history where a peculiar root has infected the world. In that game, you might construct Napoleonic-era soldiers from vegetables; Valor Mortis, in its own way, delivers a similarly grotesque and compelling vision of 19th-century warfare. The exciting news is that we don’t have to wait until its full 2026 release to experience it, as a free playtest is now available.
Personal turnip analogies aside, Valor Mortis looks truly exceptional. I confess to a complex relationship with soulslike games; my hesitation isn’t about their notorious difficulty, but rather the frequent lack of a pause button. As a parent of young children, uninterrupted gaming time is a luxury, and an unpausable game often means an unplayable one for me.
Despite this, I am endlessly drawn to the genre’s artistic vision. I often follow the gruesome and imaginative designs vicariously through friends and colleagues. From massive titles like Elden Ring to more focused, ‘souls-lite’ experiences such as Flintlock: The Siege Of Dawn (another title set in the Napoleonic era), the creativity within this genre is simply astounding.
Valor Mortis captured my imagination from its very first trailer. As someone who keeps an eye on what the Ghostrunner developers are doing, I was already intrigued. But seeing a masked Napoleonic soldier mutate into a horrific, monstrous creature amidst battle? That was an instant hook.
My brief time with the playtest has confirmed that it perfectly lives up to the trailer’s dark promise. Wielding a reliable saber, I found a deeply satisfying rhythm slashing through the visceral opening sequence. This appears to be the same captivating demo that PCGamesN’s News Editor, Lauren, encountered at Gamescom, further amplifying my eagerness to explore more.
The Valor Mortis playtest is currently accessible, offering players an early opportunity to dive in. Information on how to participate can be found through official announcements from the developers and on relevant gaming platforms.
If you’re eager for more grim adventures while awaiting the full release, consider exploring some of the best single-player games or top action games available.
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