Valheim
2026 · Iron Gate Studios
Has it aged?Why ↓
Valheim is a co-op survival and crafting game set in a procedurally generated Viking afterlife. You build bases, craft weapons and explore hostile biomes, including the frozen Deep North. The settlement-building is the draw; the sparse oceans make a weaker argument for spending your hours at sea.
A collaborative exploration and survival game for 1-10 players, set in a procedurally generated afterlife inspired by Viking culture. Battle, build, and conquer your way to a saga worthy of Odin’s patronage!
The publisher’s description, from its Steam store page.
What it looks like
the trailer, then the store's own shots
The verdict
Play Valheim for building and exploring with friends, not for an ocean full of discoveries. The 2026 full release (version 1.0) adds the Deep North and over 40 weapons, but leaves the oceans without a dedicated overhaul. That makes the choice straightforward: come for a Viking settlement and expeditions into dangerous country, rather than treating the sea as the main attraction.
Play it if
You want a shared settlement to build with friends, enjoy crafting weapons between expeditions, and would rather explore a procedurally generated afterlife than follow a fixed map.
Skip it if
You dislike gathering and crafting as the foundation of a survival game, or need richly populated oceans to make Viking exploration appealing.
Common questions
- Can Vikings on different platforms play together?
- Yes. Cross-play across all platforms is supported with the 2026 full release, including PC, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
- Is the Deep North part of Valheim or a separate expansion?
- It is included in the 2026 full release, version 1.0. It adds a frozen biome alongside new weapons and crafting additions.
- Does version 1.0 fill out the oceans?
- No. The 2026 full release focuses on the Deep North; its other additions do not include content specifically focused on the oceans.
- What does the Obliterator do with unwanted items?
- Added in the 2021 Hearth and Home update, the Obliterator destroys items with Thor's thunder and leaves coal. Load it, pull the lever and step back before the lightning strikes.
What everyone else said
we link, we don't reprintHas it aged?
How does it hold up today? Based on recent reviews, how opinions have changed since launch, player activity and updates.
% positive each month, last 4 years.
Reviews via Steam ↗Peak: 210k in Feb 2021.
Player counts via SteamCharts ↗Better liked than at launch.
Updated within the last year, so still looked after.