Valheim
Action
Adventure
Indie
RPG
Early Access
Single-player
Multi-player
Co-op
Online Co-op
Full controller support
Camera Comfort
Custom Volume Controls
Adjustable Difficulty
Save Anytime
Stereo Sound
Steam Cloud
Remote Play on Tablet
Family Sharing

A brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players, set in a procedurally-generated purgatory inspired by viking culture. Battle, build, and conquer your way to a saga worthy of Odin’s patronage!

Developers: Iron Gate AB
Publishers: Coffee Stain Publishing
Release Date: 2 Feb, 2021
Price (USD): 19,99€
Current Players: 20k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(95%)
immersive world
cooperative adventures
creative building
Viking theme
progression rewards
progression system
combat system
performance issues
grindy nature
slow development
lack of QoL
difficulty spikes
performance issues
The general sentiment towards Valheim is largely positive with many players highlighting its immersive world, rewarding gameplay, and cooperative adventures as major strengths. However, some criticisms are directed at its grindy nature and slow pace of development, leaving certain players frustrated and seeking more freedom in its progression system. Performance issues and a lack of quality of life features are additional points of contention. Despite these challenges, the game's strengths often outweigh its weaknesses for the majority of players, especially when enjoyed with friends.

Positive Points

  • Valheim's world is immersive and atmospheric, capturing players with its Viking theme and beautiful, minimalist visuals.
  • The game offers a compelling mix of survival, crafting, exploration, and combat, often compared to a blend between Minecraft, Vikings, and Dark Souls.
  • Building is considered to be a standout feature, offering creativity and satisfaction with a robust system that includes structural mechanics.
  • The game is highly recommended for playing with friends, where the cooperative experience enhances the fun and adventure.
  • The game maintains a strong sense of progression, rewarding players with new challenges and content as they venture further into the game.
  • Negative Points

  • Many players express frustration with the game's grindy nature, noting that resource collection can become tedious over time.
  • The difficulty spikes in certain biomes, such as the Mistlands and Ashlands, are commonly cited as overwhelming and not enjoyable.
  • Players have noted the lack of quality of life features, such as inventory management, which can detract from the experience.
  • The game's development pace is criticized for being slow, with infrequent updates causing dissatisfaction among the community.
  • Some find the game to be excessively punishing, especially in solo play, where the balance can feel unfair.
  • Mixed Points

  • The linearity of the progression system is a point of contention, with some appreciating the challenge it brings and others wishing for more freedom and non-linear options.
  • The combat system is compared to Dark Souls, which some players enjoy, but others find it clunky and less engaging.
  • Performance issues, particularly in graphics and lag during specific encounters or biome traversals, have received mixed reviews.
  • Common Themes

  • Exploration and survival elements are at the core of the Valheim experience, offering both relaxing and challenging gameplay.
  • The game is widely regarded as better with friends, where the shared experience creates memorable moments.
  • The art style, while simplistic, is praised for contributing to the game's atmosphere and unique charm.
  • Much of the enjoyment stems from the game's building mechanics and the satisfaction of creating and inhabiting Viking homesteads.
  • Updated 1/22/2026, 12:01:19 AM UTC