Valor Mortis is only $40 because its developer knows you’ll be choosing from a lot of big games over this “stacked” autumn

Valor Mortis, a first-person soulslike developed by One More Level, will launch at $39.99 on October 13, 2026—$20–30 cheaper than typical AAA releases. The developer and publisher Lyrical Games attributed this lower price point to the congested fall 2026 release schedule, describing it as unusually competitive for player attention and spending.

The studio acknowledged in a statement that despite believing Valor Mortis has “the quality, fidelity, and play time” comparable to full-priced $60–70 titles, the crowded release window demanded pricing flexibility. October is particularly saturated with major releases including Ace Combat 8, Gears of War: E-Day, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and Modern Warfare 4, alongside numerous smaller anticipated titles. November’s scheduled release of Grand Theft Auto 6 has pushed publishers to avoid that month, creating a bottleneck effect that compressed October’s release calendar.

To improve its competitive positioning, Valor Mortis will be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one. The game is designed as a 20-hour story-driven experience where players rise from the dead as a former member of Napoleon’s army. This is a second release date for the title—it was previously delayed from September to October to navigate the crowded schedule.

Sources

• Valor Mortis is only $40 because its developer knows you’ll be choosing from a lot of big games over this “stacked” autumn
• Game’s Price Is Lower Because This Fall Is So Packed, Dev Admits
• Valor Mortis Sets Lower Price Point, Story DLC Announced
• GTA 6 has turned October into a new release bloodbath, but AA first-person soulslike Valor Mortis is hellbent on entering the fray
• With the ‘Quality, Fidelity, and Play Time’ of a $70 PS5 Game, Valor Mortis Asks for $40