Summary
- Valheim's success lies in its building mechanics, much like Minecraft, offering players a wide range of creative options for building structures.
- The game's Norse mythology setting sets it apart in the industry, attracting players with a unique experience that resonates with mainstream appeal.
- Valheim surpasses Minecraft in some areas with its practical building system, incorporating aesthetics into survival mechanics for a more engaging gameplay experience.
Valheim is still going strong today despite still being in early access, providing players with a fantastic survival adventure. Interestingly, though its theming and mechanics are definitely unique, one aspect that looks to have already given Valheim great longevity is similar to that of another survival title.
There are many reasons for Valheim's success. Its availability on Game Pass, solid gameplay, and presence in a market that's always hungry for single-player experiences certainly play a part. Moreover, Valheim's Norse mythology setting is a big reason for its success, offering an experience that's otherwise scarce in the gaming industry, a fantasy that's only seeing more and more mainstream appeal as time goes on.
Valheim's Building Mechanics May Be Its Key To Success, Just Like Minecraft Before It
However, what might be the biggest reason for Valheim's success is its building mechanics. The scope of what can be built with the tools available to Valheim's playerbase is flexible enough to create anything from wooden shacks grafted onto the side of existing huts, to glorious drinking halls that brave the skies. This scope of options in building is exactly what made Minecraft the hit that it is, with the game's library of block options giving builders the tools to create whatever they want. Valheim doesn't quite reach that peak, but its building system nonetheless carries a similar appeal.
Building Mechanics Have Given Both Minecraft And Valheim Longevity
Both Minecraft and Valheim let their players build superstructures, granting near-unfettered access to a smorgasbord of creative options. Minecraft's granular approach to this, with individual blocks at the fingertips of players, is a huge part of its virality. Impressive builds can be shared online, multiplayer servers can be built to house tens of thousands, and build tutorials can be uploaded to every platform to service every aesthetic. Even when Minecraft has lagged behind in survival mechanics, it's always made sure to add swathes of blocks to every update, keeping builders more than satiated.
Though it may not house nearly as many options, Valheim players can still easily go viral with their creations. Iron Gate should absolutely lean into this aspect of the game and ensure that building options are boosted with every update, which it likely already plans to do so. The title's survival mechanics may be able to retain players, but giving fans the tools to build great structures has already proven to be among Valheim's best marketing.
Valheim's Building Has Already Surpassed Minecraft In Some Areas
Valheim is far more limited than its predecessor in terms of building. However, some elements of that building system have Minecraft beat: the comfort system is a great example, giving aesthetic elements a survival purpose, and it allows decoration to add to a score that boosts the player's stats.
In terms of virality, this allows for building tutorials to have a practical aspect; players looking for Valheim building tutorials will want the best-looking base as well as one that produces the most benefit.
This extends to the need to defend Valheim bases. While Minecraft players love building elaborate base defenses, they're rarely necessary even in multiplayer worlds where another player's lateral thinking can surpass many defenses. On the other hand, monsters in Valheim will not only turn up at a player's doorstep through raids or by simply following them home, but will actually damage player-built structures. This means having a brilliant base defense will never be just for show, adding to its potential visibility if shared online.
Valheim
- Released
- February 2, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
Valheim is a brutal exploration and survival game for 1-10 players set in a procedurally-generated world inspired by Norse mythology. Craft powerful weapons, construct longhouses, and slay mighty foes to prove yourself to Odin!
EXPLORE THE TENTH WORLD
Explore a world shrouded in mystery. Discover distinct environments with unique enemies to battle, resources to gather and secrets to uncover! Be a viking, sail the open seas in search of lands unknown, and fight bloodthirsty monsters.
BUILD MIGHTY HALLS
Raise viking longhouses and build bases that offer reprieve from the dangers ahead. Customise buildings, both inside and out, with a detailed building system. Progress through building tiers to upgrade, expand and defend your base.
GATHER, CRAFT AND SURVIVE
Struggle to survive as you gather materials and craft weapons, armor, tools, ships, and defenses. Decorate your hearths and sharpen your blades, grow crops and vegetables, prepare food, brew meads and potions, and progress as you defeat more difficult bosses and discover new recipes and blueprints.
- Developer(s)
- Iron Gate AB
- Publisher(s)
- Coffee Stain Studios
- Platform(s)
- Linux, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 75 Hours
- File Size Xbox Series
- 1 GB (November 2023)
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- Steam User Rating
- 95%
