The voice actor lineup for Valor Mortis, the highly anticipated first-person soulslike from the studio behind Ghostrunner, was unveiled this week, headlined by a striking choice that will surprise anyone who only knows the game’s grimdark premise: black metal legend Adam “Nergal” Darski has joined the cast as Captain Raphael.
If his signature growls and screams as frontman of the Polish extreme metal band Behemoth are anything to go by, players can expect a suitably dramatic and menacing rendition of the character in the upcoming title. The announcement arrives as anticipation builds ahead of the game’s October 13 release across Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC.
A Metal Icon Steps Into the Booth
Darski’s foray into video game voice acting is not his first. He previously voiced The Black Cat in 2022’s Blacktail and served as the narrator for 2018’s Apocalipsis: The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, giving him a foothold in the medium well before this ambitious soulslike. His casting as Captain Raphael rounds out an impressive roster of talent that spans acclaimed RPGs, blockbuster films, and major AAA franchises.
Joining Darski is Jennifer English, best known for her work in Baldur’s Gate 3 and Expedition 33, who takes on the role of The Shrike. James Alexander, who has appeared in Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Crimson Desert, portrays William Dowsett, the game’s central protagonist. The lineup also features French actor Vincent Cassel, famous for his roles in Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen as François Toulour, stepping into the boots of the historical figure Napoleon Bonaparte.
Rounding out the principal cast are Mars Lipowski, recognized for his portrayal of Sobieslaw “Gromsko” Kosciuszko throughout the Call of Duty franchise, as Lucjan Skawinski; Will De Renzy-Martin, who played Coen in The Blood of Dawnwalker, as James Stewart; and Yvan Chamouiseau as Louis Moreau.
A Supernatural Plague in Alternate History
Valor Mortis is a first-person action soulslike set in an alternate 19th century Eastern Europe, where Napoleon’s endless war has unleashed a supernatural plague. Players follow William, played by James Alexander, as he fights to survive against former comrades who have been transformed into undead monsters. The setting offers a fresh, historically grounded backdrop for the genre’s trademark challenging combat and atmospheric world-building.
The game is being developed by One More Level, the studio that earned critical acclaim for Ghostrunner, a fast-paced cyberpunk slasher that established the developer’s reputation for tight, demanding action. Fans of that title will likely recognize the DNA of its punishing difficulty and stylish presentation in this new medieval-flavored venture.
With this fall having a jam-packed release schedule, we’ve decided to price Valor Mortis at $40 and give players the best possible experience.
One More Level on Valor Mortis pricing
The developer recently addressed the game’s pricing, explaining that the $40 price tag reflects a deliberate decision made in light of a crowded autumn release calendar. The studio acknowledged that the season is notoriously busy for new launches, and the accessible price point appears designed to help the title stand out among the competition.
Release Window and Timeline
Valor Mortis is slated to launch on October 13 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. The date represents a slight shift from the game’s original September 24 target, as the developer pushed the release back a few weeks to navigate what it described as an exceptionally busy September. The additional time should allow the studio to polish the experience ahead of its fall debut.
As the countdown to launch continues, the combination of a demanding soulslike formula, a richly detailed alternate-history setting, and a voice cast that stretches from metal iconography to Hollywood and French cinema has generated considerable buzz. Players will have their answer when William’s struggle against the undead plague begins on October 13.
1 comment