Valor Mortis is poised to make waves in the gaming world as it prepares to launch next year. This first-person action game is set in an alternate historical version of the Napoleonic era, and its developers are heavily emphasizing its “Soulslike” qualities. As fans gear up for its release, one topic inevitably arises: the game’s difficulty. Is it excessively challenging, just right, or should there be an easy mode to cater to all players?
The Debate on Game Difficulty
The conversation about difficulty is a familiar one among enthusiasts of Souls games. What elements make a game challenging yet enjoyable, and where does it cross into being frustrating? There’s an ongoing discussion about the need for easy modes and how accessibility features can allow players to enjoy the game as intended without being hampered by external factors like controls.
After testing Valor Mortis at the Game Industry Conference in Poznań, Wielkopolska, I can attest to its formidable challenge. Game director Radosław Ratusznik shared insights about their current approach, highlighting that the game has only one difficulty setting at the moment. However, this might change as they consider future options.
Ratusznik remarked, “If we decide at one point to change it, I think we will change it for easy mode and normal mode, just two of them. Because I think that players should have similar experiences when they’re playing these kinds of games. So personally, I’m fine with the easy mode, if someone wants to just experience the story, learn a little bit about how the game works. But if we have a lot of options, like there are like tens of difficulty options, then each person can play a totally different game. I think what connects Soulslike players is that they are all struggling in these games. If they manage to succeed in this game, they can share this experience with other players. And this is something that has a huge value I think for them, for this community.”
Accessibility Versus Difficulty
Ratusznik also delves into the intricacies of accessibility versus difficulty. He acknowledges that while a plethora of difficulty settings might dilute the shared experience, there’s a need for accessibility features that assist players without simplifying the game’s core challenges. According to him, “we can have a lot of things that can assist you without lowering the difficulty of the game.” Accessibility isn’t solved with an easy mode.
Others in the industry share similar sentiments. FromSoftware’s Hidetaka Miyazaki, for instance, believes that the struggle is an integral part of their games. Elden Ring, notably more adaptable than its predecessors, allows players to approach challenges in varied ways, offering multiple paths and strategies to overcome difficulties. Similarly, Hollow Knight: Silksong offers a structure that emphasizes exploration and strategy.
The Future of Valor Mortis
How Valor Mortis will ultimately address its difficulty settings remains uncertain as the team continues to deliberate. The definitive approach will only be unveiled when the game launches on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series next year.
Our dialogue with Ratusznik at GIC also explored Valor Mortis’ approach to the Soulslike genre, particularly the challenges of adapting it to a first-person perspective. Our full conversation is available here.