Valheim is a sandbox survival game with Viking mythology influences, developed by Iron Gate Studio and released in Early Access in 2021. The game quickly became a massive hit due to its blend of exploration, crafting, combat, and cooperative multiplayer gameplay.
According to data by SteamDB, even four years after its release, the game still garners an impressive 24-hour player-peak that’s often close to 50,000. This is particularly impressive considering how small the dev team is compared to the likes of large studios like Bioware.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Bioware’s latest release, which came out in 2024, sits at a 24-hour peak of around 4,301 players. Valheim is doing something right, and in this article, let’s find out what that is.
How Did Valheim Get So Popular and Why Do People Play It So Much?
Valheim became incredibly popular for several key reasons. It managed to blend elements of survival, exploration, and cooperative gameplay in a way that kept players engaged for long hours. You start with nothing and gradually build up to epic Viking fortresses, advanced gear, and being able to fight mythical boss battles.
Other games might have similar themes, but in Valheim, the progression system actually feels rewarding. Each biome introduces new threats, resources, and challenges that encourage exploration. This is what causes people to sink so much time into the game.
Not too long ago, two Valheim players spent over 1,000 hours creating an RPG experience. The project took them over three months to essentially create a game within a game.
It certainly raises questions about the nature of gaming addiction. As TorHoerman Law notes, gamers, particularly minors, can face a number of mental and physical issues due to excessive gaming.
It’s no surprise that concerned parents often consider filing video game lawsuit cases to receive compensation for the sometimes deliberate addictive features in them. Whether Valheim is a game that is ‘addictive’ or not is debatable.
Thankfully, the game lacks the sort of predatory and manipulative game mechanics that some games have these days. In other words, people play Valheim so much because it’s ridiculously enjoyable.
What Sets Valheim Apart from Other Survival Games?
Most survival games throw you into a brutal world where hunger, thirst, and constant danger make every moment a struggle. But Valheim does things differently. Instead of overwhelming players with punishing mechanics, Valheim chooses to go the other way.
There’s no thirst meter, no tedious grinding—just a world that rewards curiosity. The building system is particularly impressive in a way that many other games today fall short of. Why? Because it’s not just about placing blocks, you also have to think about physics.
Your Viking longhouse needs proper support, or it collapses. That’s rare in survival games. And despite its low-poly visuals, Valheim creates an unforgettable atmosphere. The lighting, weather, and soundtrack make every foggy morning and stormy night feel alive.
Moreover, there’s no forced PvP or griefing—just you and your friends, sailing unknown waters, raiding dungeons, and carving out your own Viking saga.
What’s more, unlike many other games, the developers have nailed the ability to release satisfying content updates. An article from ScreenRant notes that the latest Ashlands update makes the game worth revisiting even if you’ve moved on. The update managed to increase the game’s longevity and up the difficulty level even for veteran players.
Its Ability to Touch Players Solely Through the Gameplay Loop
Valheim is the kind of game that lets you exhale after a long day, and it achieves this through a remarkable gameplay loop. There’s something about every action you take that is extremely cathartic and fulfilling. The rhythm of chopping wood, the gentle sway of your longship on the water, and the satisfaction of watching your home take shape- it’s perfect.
The game doesn’t demand constant attention. Instead, it lets you get lost in its world, rather than overwhelmed by it.
Of course, the peace doesn’t last forever. A grey dwarf raid, an unlucky encounter in the Plains, or a sudden boss fight can shatter the quiet. But that’s part of the magic.
Unlike other survival games that thrive on relentless pressure, Valheim understands that sometimes, you don’t need a game to test you. You just need a world to escape to. This is an insight that seems to be missing among several other game studios.
We mentioned the failure of Bioware’s latest title, but they aren’t the only big studio floundering with game design. Even Ubisoft, a familiar and established name in the industry, is now facing uncertainty after several lackluster releases. Ubisoft shares are plummeting with their market cap dropping 85% over the last four years.
Many of these big-name studios fail to realize that when you stop making games that focus on gameplay and fun, players just don’t want it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Valheim a long game?
Valheim offers an expansive and procedurally generated open world that encourages prolonged engagement. With diverse exploration, crafting, and combat systems, players often find themselves immersed for many hours. At the moment, it takes most people about 80 hours to beat the game, but that number can increase drastically according to your playstyle.
2. Is Valheim worth it now?
Despite being in early access, Valheim presents a rich survival experience that continues to evolve. Its unique blend of exploration, base building, and combat, coupled with a vibrant community and frequent updates, offers considerable value. New and returning players alike will appreciate its creative freedom and ongoing content improvements.
3. Can you play Valheim peacefully?
Yes, Valheim accommodates a peaceful playstyle, with the exception of random raids. Although the game features combat and survival challenges, players can focus on exploration, resource gathering, and creative building. This flexibility allows individuals to enjoy a tranquil experience, avoiding unnecessary conflicts while still benefiting from the game’s expansive environment and dynamic ecosystem.
Essentially, Valheim fills a niche that many games try to but fail to deliver on. The progression system is such that it never feels like you are being rushed to beat the next boss or upgrade as fast as possible. It’s possible to spend the first fifty hours simply base-building if that’s what you want. This sort of freedom combined with stellar game design is why Valheim manages to beat AAA games and is worth playing in 2025.