Valor Mortis is Another Big Soulslike That Won’t Have Difficulty Settings
Valor Mortis, an upcoming soulslike from One More Level, will launch in 2026 without difficulty settings, continuing the genre’s tradition of uncompromising challenge. This decision reflects an ongoing debate about whether accessibility options should be standard in demanding games.
Soulslike enthusiasts argue that adjustable difficulty undermines core design philosophy, contending the challenge is essential to the experience. Accessibility advocates counter that difficulty settings would broaden the audience without diminishing the challenge for dedicated players.
The approach aligns with Elden Ring’s mainstream success, demonstrating substantial audience appetite for punishing, inflexible gameplay. Developer Szymon Bryła emphasized that Valor Mortis’ difficulty is “fair,” suggesting careful calibration without relying on adjustable settings. The game positions itself as a pure soulslike experience, maintaining genre integrity while accepting it will remain largely inaccessible to players seeking more forgiving options. As soulslike games continue gaining mainstream traction, this design philosophy remains contentious within the broader gaming community.