Valheim

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 233,646 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • grinding
Valheim Game Cover
Valheim is already a paragon of the survival crafting genre, with excellent art and music highlighting a world that generates endless exciting stories from only a few simple ingredients.
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Valheim is a brutally challenging, open-world survival game set in a procedurally generated purgatory inspired by Norse mythology. Players must hunt, gather resources, and craft their way to victory against fearsome foes and harsh environments. Cooperative gameplay with friends adds another layer of strategy and camaraderie to this already immersive experience.

  • Mac OS
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  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
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  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 233,646 reviews
gameplay6,936 positive mentions
grinding8,379 negative mentions
  • gameplay16,825 mentions

    The gameplay of Valheim is widely praised for its engaging mechanics, particularly its building system, which allows for creative and structurally sound constructions. Players appreciate the balance between survival elements, exploration, and combat, although some find the gameplay loop repetitive and grindy, especially in later stages. While the game offers a rich multiplayer experience and a captivating world, criticisms often focus on frustrating mechanics such as the death penalty and stamina management, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The gameplay is phenomenal.”
    • “There is a clear progression that gradually unlocks new mechanics, and having each new biome mark an increased step in difficulty that you overcome with gear and preparation keeps the game challenging and fresh throughout a playthrough, without being overly difficult.”
    • “The building mechanics are fantastic.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit grindy; but deep, and the story is engaging enough that it keeps you progressing to the next level.”
    • “The gameplay loop is monotonous, slow, and unrewarding as is the combat, building, and, oh yeah, the game as a whole.”
    • “The mechanics are somewhat unpolished and clunky, but it is nontheless mechanics you can play around and master in their own cool ways.”
  • graphics15,510 mentions

    The graphics of Valheim have garnered mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the game's unique low-poly art style and atmospheric lighting, which create a charming and immersive experience. While some criticize the graphics as outdated or reminiscent of early console games, others find that the visuals enhance the overall gameplay, allowing for smooth performance even on lower-end systems. Overall, the aesthetic is often described as beautiful and nostalgic, contributing to the game's appeal despite its simplistic graphical fidelity.

    • “The graphics are stunningly beautiful and it's so relaxing just pottering about.”
    • “Beautiful retro-style graphics; at first, it looks like an old game, but the detail and effects given are quite original.”
    • “Despite the pixel art style, this game really is beautiful.”
    • “The graphics are a step up from Minecraft; in fact, the whole game is just a minor upgrade of Minecraft with a Viking theme.”
    • “The graphics may not seem up to par at first, but the style of gameplay and art grows on you after a couple of hours into the game.”
    • “The graphics are bad (except for the water), and the game is surprisingly rough on my graphics card, but the gameplay and multiplayer are so good that they outweigh anything else.”
  • grinding8,727 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Valheim has received mixed feedback from players, with many describing it as both tedious and rewarding. While some enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from gathering resources and crafting, others find the extensive resource requirements and the need for constant backtracking to be frustrating and time-consuming. The game is often noted for its beautiful world and engaging mechanics, but the grind can feel excessive, especially in solo play, leading to a recommendation for multiplayer sessions to alleviate some of the tedium. Overall, players who appreciate grindy survival games may find Valheim enjoyable, while those who prefer a more streamlined experience might feel overwhelmed by the demands of resource gathering and progression.

    • “The crafting feels well balanced, gathering materials isn't too grindy, and the rewards from it are very satisfying.”
    • “The bosses are tough, the mobs are tough, the gameplay is very rewarding and not too grindy at all.”
    • “The progression isn't too grindy, it's exciting to explore the world and get lost in it, and the world is huge.”
    • “The whole experience is frustration and grinding speckled with occasional reward.”
    • “The game is very grindy and requires tons of hours in order to complete one playthrough.”
    • “The grinding for resources feels like just that, a grind, it isn't fun and isn't even that challenging.”
  • music4,358 mentions

    The music in Valheim has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the dynamic soundtrack that shifts according to the biome and situation, with calming melodies for exploration and intense themes during boss fights. However, some reviewers note that the music can become repetitive over extended play sessions, suggesting a desire for more variety in the soundtrack. Overall, the combination of beautiful visuals and a fitting musical score contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The soundtrack in this game is ethereal and I listen to it even when I'm not playing.”
    • “The stunning visual design and music create a fantastic atmosphere, beautifully reflecting Viking mythology and drawing me further into the game world.”
    • “The music dynamically shifts based on the situation, enhancing the emotional impact of the game.”
    • “The music is really depressing.”
    • “The music is a big downturn for me; there are only a few songs that repeat per zone, and they do get quite repetitive.”
    • “The music sounds like it was ripped from a royalty-free fantasy music pack, the particles are something out of Minecraft, and the randomly generated map makes the map design uninspired.”
  • story3,727 mentions

    The story in Valheim is minimal and primarily serves as a backdrop for gameplay, focusing on Norse mythology and the player's quest to defeat various bosses to progress. Players appreciate the freedom to create their own narratives through exploration and building, with the game encouraging personal storytelling rather than following a strict plot. While some players find the lack of a structured storyline disappointing, many enjoy the emergent experiences and the lore scattered throughout the world, which adds depth to the overall gameplay.

    • “Valheim invites you to linger and does not push you through the game with structured quest lines.”
    • “The storytelling within Valheim unfolds like an ancient epic, weaving a tapestry of Norse mythology that captures the essence of a Viking saga.”
    • “The game has a good explanation and backstory to the 10th world, which if you didn't look it up or know already, is fictional.”
    • “The storyline is almost non-existent.”
    • “Gameplay is boring, story is non-existent, combat is janky, there's just no feel to it.”
    • “There is no reason to explore, the lore is spoon-fed to you by collectible notes and since everything is randomly generated, there's zero environmental storytelling or atmosphere.”
  • atmosphere2,719 mentions

    The atmosphere in Valheim is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, combining stunning lighting, dynamic weather effects, and a rich sound design that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the game's unique low-poly art style, which, despite its simplicity, effectively contributes to a beautiful and atmospheric world reminiscent of Norse mythology. The diverse biomes, each with their own distinct ambiance, along with the engaging soundtrack, create a sense of adventure and exploration that keeps players invested for hours.

    • “The stunning visual design and music create a fantastic atmosphere, beautifully reflecting viking mythology and drawing me further into the game world.”
    • “It's gorgeous looking and has a wonderful atmosphere, a real cozy vibe when you and your friends are sat around the orange glow of a campfire resting and discussing your next moves.”
    • “The atmosphere, ambient sounds and music also help to propel the game to the next level.”
    • “There is no reason to explore, the lore is spoon-fed to you by collectible notes and since everything is randomly generated, there's zero environmental storytelling or atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere in this game may be a little gloomy.”
    • “The atmosphere feels so real you can almost smell it.”
  • optimization2,346 mentions

    The optimization of Valheim has received mixed feedback from players, with many citing significant performance issues, particularly in multiplayer settings and when building large structures. While some users report smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others experience severe frame drops and stuttering, especially in densely populated areas or during intense gameplay moments. Overall, players express hope for future optimization updates to enhance performance and stability, especially given the game's early access status.

    • “The game runs smoothly on a range of hardware, though optimization could be improved for higher-end systems to fully utilize their capabilities.”
    • “Despite being in early access, the game feels finished, no issues with performance or crashes, everything works.”
    • “The game has such a robust build engine that playing alone is a shame and this game naturally lends itself to play with others, however, either the engine or the coding will not allow it to do so without major performance hits or lag.”
    • “Horrible optimization; Alan Wake 2 runs better than this game on a Ryzen 7 5700X3D and RX 6750 XT (both overclocked). I got 24 FPS in 0.1% low (2560x1440p) and Alan Wake 2 I got 47 FPS 0.1% low (native 1920x1080p no upscaling) and Alan Wake 2 is 10x more demanding in graphics quality.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized; the server part works terribly. Performance issues in Ashlands are particularly bad, especially when playing multiplayer.”
    • “The optimization is surprisingly bad. I don't expect a game with such blocky textures to be resource demanding, yet your FPS will drop significantly even on a solid gaming PC, and it takes a long time to load the world when trying to build a big base.”
  • stability1,479 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed feedback from users, with many highlighting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players report a relatively smooth experience with few issues, others describe the game as "buggy" and "almost unplayable," citing problems such as freezing, lag, and game-breaking glitches. Overall, while the game shows potential and is actively being updated, its current state remains unstable for many users, especially in early access.

    • “Kudos to developers for making this a bug-free, mechanically excellent masterpiece of a game!”
    • “The game looks stunning and runs great on even my 11-year-old PC on full settings.”
    • “Valheim is not like that though; it runs great and doesn't really even feel like an early access title.”
    • “So buggy as to be almost unplayable.”
    • “The multiplayer is extremely unplayable, the servers are abnormally janky and buggy.”
    • “It is a broken and buggy game more than three years after launch and after hundreds of millions in revenue.”
  • humor925 mentions

    The humor in "Valheim" is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting the game's ability to create hilarious moments through its quirky mechanics and unpredictable physics. From the comedic chaos of friends getting crushed by falling trees to the absurdity of unexpected enemy encounters, the game fosters a lighthearted atmosphere that enhances the cooperative experience. Many players find that the combination of survival challenges and humorous mishaps leads to memorable and laugh-out-loud moments, especially when playing with friends.

    • “10/10 would recommend if you enjoy glorious beards, endless exploration, and the sweet sound of your friends laughing as you get stomped by a tree you just chopped down.”
    • “The game’s mix of survival and exploration is as brutal as a viking raid, but with a touch of charm that makes every failed attempt to conquer the wilds more hilarious than the last.”
    • “Whether it's accidentally setting your friend's house on fire or launching yourself off a cliff with a poorly aimed jump, there's always something to keep you on your toes—and laughing until your sides ache.”
    • “It's not funny, it's frustrating, especially with the new biome Mistlands.”
    • “Last biome is not funny at all.”
    • “What is not funny nor fun are the glitches that permanently end your character and/or your progress.”
  • replayability656 mentions

    Valheim is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its procedurally generated worlds, diverse gameplay mechanics, and a robust modding community that enhances the experience. Players enjoy the endless exploration and unique challenges each new playthrough offers, making it suitable for both solo and multiplayer sessions. However, some users express concerns about potential repetitiveness and limited endgame content, suggesting that while the game is engaging initially, it may lack long-term replay value without further updates.

    • “The game's procedural generation ensures that no two playthroughs are exactly alike, providing endless replayability.”
    • “With all the world settings to adjust difficulty, it is highly replayable.”
    • “This game has such replay value and is almost zen-like.”
    • “The devs should really have brought Valheim to a nice climactic ending in the Mistlands, and then split off Ashlands into a new game. The game is almost too long for its gameplay style as it is, and being too long, it loses its replay value.”
    • “Good for a playthrough of a world and playing a bit with friends, no end game and no interesting replay value.”
    • “I really enjoyed this game but there isn't really any longevity in playing it and has 0 replay value.”
  • emotional316 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a significant highlight for many players, evoking a wide range of feelings from nostalgia and joy to frustration and heartbreak. Players often describe their experiences as deeply immersive, with the game's atmosphere, music, and cooperative gameplay enhancing emotional connections to both the world and their friends. While some express feelings of attachment and fulfillment, others note moments of emotional turmoil, particularly related to gameplay mechanics that can lead to loss and setbacks. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions, reminiscent of childhood gaming experiences.

    • “Valheim is not just a game; it's a heart-wrenching journey into the heart of Viking legacy, where emotions flow as freely as the rivers that once guided their longships.”
    • “The music dynamically shifts based on the situation, enhancing the emotional impact of the game.”
    • “This game has made me feel something for the first time in a long time.”
    • “Some action games are rich in mechanics but have on-rails scripting and boring storytelling.”
  • monetization190 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its lack of microtransactions and exploitative practices, highlighting it as a refreshing change in the gaming landscape. However, others criticize it as a potential cash grab, expressing concerns over the developers' commitment to delivering substantial updates and content. Overall, while many appreciate the absence of paywalls and additional costs, there is a growing sentiment that the game may not fulfill its initial promises, leading to accusations of it being a cash grab.

    • “The developers have stayed true to their vision, delivering a complete and immersive experience without resorting to microtransactions or other exploitative practices.”
    • “Finally a really good, fun game that the devs are passionate about without microtransactions.”
    • “No microtransactions, no battle pass, no manipulative corporate gaming practices...”
    • “The initial success of this game is probably to blame for the abysmal development and the shameless cash grabs pushing merchandise for an unfinished game.”
    • “It seems like the developers are focused more on monetization than providing substantial updates, and it's becoming apparent that they may be running out of ideas.”
    • “The time between patches, and the fact that they made millions of dollars on this game... screams to me of a cash grab... it's almost like they are not putting hardly any time or effort into the game that made them millionaires.”
  • character development66 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the progression systems and skill enhancements that allow for specialization, while simultaneously criticizing the low-quality character design and animations. Although the environments and creature designs are often praised for their beauty, the simplistic and sometimes clunky character design detracts from the overall immersion and connection players feel with their characters. Overall, while the character development mechanics are engaging, there is a strong desire for improvements in character aesthetics and animations to enhance the gaming experience.

    • “The attention to detail in character designs, creature animations, and environmental effects is truly commendable and adds to the overall immersive experience.”
    • “The tier/biome phases of character development are cool and different than many of the games that I have played.”
    • “Outstanding fantasy survival, depthy world and character development, so much fun with friends or all alone.”
    • “The character design looks meh, but the world itself looks great.”
    • “But as an adventure kind of game... no, and there's no character development (the 'skills' are just becoming mildly more efficient at digging or chopping wood).”
    • “Dont buy it, graphics and character customization suck. You can't make games like these and have trash graphics and bad character development. Not sure where all these positive reviews are coming from, but it ain't positive. Trust me, save your money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

88% average critic score

Buy Valheim

Play time

50hMedian play time
135hAverage play time
75hMain story
139hCompletionist
15-129hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2,224 analyzed playthroughs

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