From Iron Gate, a small five-person studio, it has already sold over 5 million units. And these funds are being channelled into improving the game and growing their staff.
If you don’t already know, Valheim is a survival game based on Norse mythology that invites you to control a Viking on an adventure beyond death to prove your worth to the gods.
Enough of a backstory to start motivating playability, with a key parallel in the game itself: it’s simple but deep enough to be extremely fun.
Although it’s a survival game, competition isn’t as demanding in this aspect. The focus is on building and crafting; all we have to worry about is bringing more life into the world through creations like homes and factories.
Don’t be confused, though: there’s something about the combat and, above all, when you’re trying to defeat other players or final bosses. But you’ll end up mastering the key mechanics: dodge and block.
In the end, it’s about creating the structures you need to survive in a hostile land. You can do this on your own, with friends or even with strangers, taking advantage of the PvP and PvE functionalities of the game.
You can do it all: from exploring the immense map to leading a peaceful life in the countryside domesticating all sorts of animals. Loads of options so each player can focus on their favourites.
Valheim is an adventure to be played at your own pace: hunting down the bosses non-stop or putting together your own army of wolves to finish them off and enjoy a relaxed pace.
In the end, you’re a recently resurrected Viking and, after some years in Valhalla, you want some freedom and to do things right before you reach the much-feared Ragnarok.
There are other differences, too, as Valheim has a well-defined end. But don’t worry, it will take you dozens of hours to get there and there’s a lot to do before you do.
The story is both free and self-contained, featuring the best of both multiplayer games and the adventures we normally enjoy on our own, so everyone can play however they want.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy dozens of biomes and endless unique enemies that, obviously, include some final bosses. These also give you superpowers to transform into the absolute Viking.
All, of course, while you make use of a massive arsenal. Swords, combat axes, bows and even some more magical tools will have you dealing blows right and left.
In short, Valheim is the Viking adventure you’ve been waiting for but didn’t know existed. It’s only available on Stream for now, though its early access round points to it being a huge long-term success.
And for good reason, it’s one of the highest rated video games in the history of the platform. Ready to give Viking survival a try?
