How Valheim is Still Fun After 267 Hours

Valheim is thrilling millions of players and has conquered Steam in just a few days. But how good is the game after investing hundreds of hours? MeinMMO asked a Viking with 267 hours on the clock what he still enjoys about Valheim.

What is Valheim? In February 2021, the new survival game launched on Steam in Early Access. Within just a few days, the game sold over a million copies, and shortly thereafter it reached over five million.

On Steam, Valheim is received extremely well. With currently 96% positive votes, it is “extremely positive” (as of March 12) and even briefly ranked second among Steam games with the most players – ahead of Dota 2 and only behind Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

Here on MeinMMO, Valheim quickly made it to our list of the best survival games for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. Currently, you can only play Valheim on PC via Steam (Windows and Linux).

Here’s Valheim on Steam

A console version is not ruled out by the developers, but it is not yet in the works (via Valheim FAQ). Gamepad support is already available.

Valheim has a lot to offer, as player Martin explains in the interview. He has already spent almost 300 hours in the game and still can’t get enough.

“There is always something to improve”

MeinMMO: Would you briefly introduce yourself? Who are you and how long have you been playing Valheim?

Martin: Hi! My name is Martin or Nobby. In the game, I’m known as DontEatYellowSnow – or just Dont. I have been playing Valheim since February 9, 2021, and have spent 267 hours in the game.

MeinMMO: How does Valheim differ from other games?

Martin: Sure, there are already several games that are similar. But the Viking theme is quite current, thanks to Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. However, the atmosphere, story, and especially building bring me a lot of joy. No other game does this as well as Valheim.

MeinMMO: How have you spent most of your time in the game?

Martin: Short and sweet: farming, building, and more farming. I love gathering more resources in the game and using them to build and expand my base.

MeinMMO: In all your time in the game, what has been the most enjoyable for you?

Martin: It never gets boring, even when you’re busy farming a lot. There is always something to improve. No matter what it is: equipment, arrangement of the individual buildings and objects, or simply a completely new outpost somewhere outside. The world is so huge that you can really let loose.

Even after defeating all 5 bosses, there is still plenty for me to do. Even after the last boss, I still enjoy the game.

MeinMMO: Do you play solo or in a group, and which do you prefer?

Martin: Both. For me, it doesn’t make a big difference, and I enjoy both.

MeinMMO: How do you find the atmosphere in the Valheim community?

Martin: I have always found my teammates and the community to be very nice and helpful. Questions are answered quickly and well, and there’s always someone who can help you with a problem.

Building, Eating, PvE – Things that Valheim does well

MeinMMO: Based on your experience: Can you name some things that Valheim does particularly well and things you don’t like?

Martin: What I like particularly:

The building system
The various types of food and mead
The ability to choose whether I want to do PvP or PvE

What I don’t like much is the system by which Valheim calculates health points. I find it very strange to walk around with 25 health points when I forget to eat while building or farming. I can’t complain much more though. I think the game is really well done.

How does food work in Valheim? In Valheim, you don’t need food to survive. You won’t starve, unless you install a hardcore mod for it. Instead, food provides you with various buffs.

You start with 25 health points. Different foods can increase your maximum health points and stamina and provide regeneration. This way, you heal passively, take more damage, and can sprint and work longer. Here on MeinMMO, you will find a list of the best food in Valheim.

MeinMMO: Valheim has already presented some content that is yet to come. What are you most looking forward to and why?

Martin: I’m most looking forward to the new biomes and the new mini-bosses. I’ve already seen a lot of the world and would like to explore even more.

MeinMMO: What content would you still like to see?

Martin: There should be more building elements, and maybe something should change in the inventory system. I’d be satisfied if equipment or clothing got an extra slot. That way, it would be a bit clearer. One could also set the default health to 100 points and subsequently weaken food.

Start Valheim now? The seasoned player says: Yes!

MeinMMO: Would you advise a new player to start playing Valheim now, or should he wait for the first updates?

Martin: Definitely, you should buy the game now. Iron Gate is doing well with development; there are constant improvements and soon new content as well. Valheim can only get better.

MeinMMO: What tips would you give to a newbie wanting to start with Valheim?

Martin: The best tip: Always have enough food with you. Collect everything you find – you will need it eventually.

Who is Valheim for?

What makes Valheim so special: Unlike most survival games, Valheim fully relies on PvE. You play as a Viking who, after dying, is brought to Valheim by a Valkyrie, a vast afterlife or interim world.

There, you are supposed to fight Odin’s enemies, the Nordic godfather, whom he has banished to this world. Odin himself even watches you and apparently monitors how you perform.

While PvP also exists, it is purely optional, and both parties must activate it for it to work. The greater focus lies on exploration and combat, especially against the tough boss enemies that make Valheim so exciting.