Hellscrye Reviews: Valheim
June
Valheim is a sandbox survival game steeped in nordic folklore and mythology. Starting the game, either through a solo adventure or multiplayer world, you are dropped off at a large stone circle by a raven presumably carrying you from your previous life. You later learn these stones serve as a trophy hall for the six unique bosses that exist within Valheim that mark your progression.
Just with any other survival game, your first task is to grab some raw materials and convert them into tools that you’ll need to survive. The similarities between something like Minecraft or Rust will soon make themselves apparent as you craft your axe and hammer, build your initial base from simple wood designs, and fend off the area’s hostile locals.
Where the game differs from other properties is in it’s setting and lore. Sprinkled across the different biomes are runestones which provider flavor text and warnings that welcome you in and engage you to the world surrounding you. You’ll have help from the friendly raven Huginn who guides you initially to prepare you for your first boss fight, but after that you’re largely on your own.
I joined the Gibs n Pieces community server to take a look at the game and provide my thoughts. On our first voyage across the ocean we encountered several unique biomes and some amazing sights, ranging from a much higher level than we were prepared for biome full of killer goblins, to the massive turtles which attempt to conceal themselves as islands until you begin mining on their backs and they sink into the ocean, attempting to take you and your ship down with them.
All in all, Valheim is still an early access game with more content being generated semi-regularly by a small development team. If you’re a fan of survival games which lean heaving on crafting systems and making the world around you more in your liking, you’re probably going to enjoy the experience. If you’re looking for a polished, perfect game devoid of bugs, glitches, or repeition, this one isn’t for you. Overall, I’d give Valheim in it’s current state a solid 7/10, and look forward to returning to the world again once some more content is available.
