This gameplay trailer, “The Crimson Plague”, shows a new level, several enemies and a different tone from what we’ve shown of Valor Mortis before.
The tone of this level is truly dark. It takes place at night, so narrow streets, abandoned houses, and flickering torches create a constant sense of unease, while the villagers’ twisted behavior and sudden aggression evoke that classic horror tension and atmosphere.
In the context of the game’s narrative, this level is the first time the faithful protagonist, William, sees the true horror of Napoleon’s supernatural conquest. While Valor Mortis isn’t aiming to be historically accurate, we’re still linking the game to historical themes, figures and events.
The historical context of this level is the brutal, everyday reality of occupation. But for William, this is a crisis of conscience. He joined the army in good faith, yet here, he witnesses crimes committed by his fellow soldiers. Are these atrocities isolated incidents? What he uncovers here - the tragic fate of the civilians and the local commander's petty vengeance - might suggest these aren't just one-off acts of brutality, but symptoms of a deeper sickness.
The change in tone allows for a change in gameplay as well. Since it takes place at night in a confined, claustrophobic village, players are encouraged to move cautiously, listen carefully, and use their surroundings to survive. The darkness and narrow layouts make you feel like you’re never truly safe.
Several new enemy types are revealed in the trailer, including mutated villagers who wield everyday items like tools, torches and farm equipment. These enemies attack in unpredictable, almost feral ways, forcing players to stay alert and adapt quickly.
In contrast, we also see a new elite enemy, The Relentless. These elite, nephto-infused soldiers are faster, more aggressive, and far more dangerous than anything encountered before. Long lines of volunteers wait eagerly to join their ranks, though only the most resilient are ever accepted into their secret training facilities. Armed with massive greatswords, these soldiers fight with inhuman aggression, speed, and strength.
Finally, we get a first glimpse at a grotesque combination of flesh and metal, Sergeant Gaspard “Cannonhand” Dubois. With an entire cannon where his right hand should be, and nephtoglobin tissue covering his whole upper body, he has become a hulking mass of fear and pain.
We have more findings from the playtest and we're working on a bigger summary, but here's a first round of stats.
You may notice that the total number of "attempts" of each encounter doesn't equal to the "killed by" + "slain" stats. The difference includes attempts that were not completed, whether due to quitting the game, a bug, or leaving the zone.