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- Valheim
Valheim
A Norse survival game for up to ten, where you build a base together and push out into harder lands.
Online co-op for up to 10 players, with crossplay.
- 10 online
- Crossplay
Where to buy
About the Apple App Store version
Apple App Store. The Mac App Store offers the full base game for macOS only. Its multiplayer listing and the maker's FAQ support co-op worlds for one to ten players. The maker's October 15 patch notice warns that a delayed Mac App Store update temporarily blocks crossplay with other platforms. Whether versions currently match remains unresolved. This warning does not establish the same interruption for Steam on Mac.
Playing together
- Online co-op10 players
- Local co-opNot confirmed
- YesPC, Mac, Linux, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch 2Friends on different platforms, such as PC and PlayStation, can play together.
- YesA friend can join or leave while you are already playing, without starting over.
- Not confirmedFriends play free with a Friend's Pass or similar.
- Steam DeckVerifiedValve's own rating
About the game
You wake up as a fallen warrior in a huge Norse afterlife, made fresh for every world. The first hours are plain hard work. You cut trees, mine rock, hunt, cook and build a shelter. Each region has a boss, and beating it gives you what you need to survive the next one, so you slowly push further out. Food works as your health and stamina, so a good meal is real progress.
Up to ten of you can share one world, hosted from the game or on a server that stays up when the host logs off. PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox, PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 all play together. Nobody gets a fixed role, so people split up to build, mine or hunt, then meet for boss fights and sea trips.
It feels cozy at home and harsh out in the wild. It suits groups who like long projects and do not need constant action.
How it feels
Kind of game
One lasting world your group settles. You gather, build and push into dangerous places together.
- Now and then
- Laughter and chaos
- Fear
- Story
- Working in sync
- Physical comedy
- Sessions
- Ongoing world
Rated on our own feel scale. 8 sources back these ratings.
Screenshots
From the Steam store page. Open one to see it full size.
If you liked Valheim
You will probably enjoy these too. Each one says why.
ICARUS
Why it scores 93%
What they share
- Kind of game
- Shared survival world
- Core to both
- Time to hang out, Exploring, Building and creating, Unlocks and progress
- About
- Wilderness survival
- Notable in both
- Calm and coziness, Tension and danger, Planning ahead, Getting better, Fighting
- Sessions
- Ongoing world
- Co-op
- Online co-op
- 8 online
Both give your group a hard world to survive in together. Both are easy to play while you chat. Both are about surviving in the wild.
No big difference from Valheim.
Len's Island
Why it scores 90%
What they share
- Kind of game
- Shared survival world
- Core to both
- Time to hang out, Exploring, Building and creating, Unlocks and progress
- About
- Wilderness survival
- Notable in both
- Calm and coziness, Tension and danger, Planning ahead, Getting better, Fighting
- Sessions
- Ongoing world
- Co-op
- Online co-op
- 8 online
Both give your group a hard world to survive in together. Both have long calm stretches. Both are easy to play while you chat.
No big difference from Valheim.
Palworld
Why it scores 88%
What they share
- Kind of game
- Shared survival world
- About
- Wilderness survival
- Notable in both
- Calm and coziness, Time to hang out, Tension and danger, Planning ahead, Fighting
- Core to both
- Exploring, Building and creating, Unlocks and progress
- Sessions
- Ongoing world
- Co-op
- Online co-op
- 32 online
- Crossplay
Both give your group a hard world to survive in together. Both are about exploring places you have not seen. Both are about surviving in the wild.
No big difference from Valheim.
All co-op facts
Last checked 24 October 2026. The small numbers link to the page that states each fact.
Co-op
- Fewest players online
- Not confirmed
- Local co-op
- Not confirmed
- Most players on one screen
- Not confirmed
- Split or shared screen
- Not confirmed
- Separate-device co-op
- Not confirmed
- Most players on separate devices
- Not confirmed
- Free base co-op
- No
The checked computer full-base edition has a paid base-game access model. Demos, trials, guest passes, platform sharing and temporary grants do not establish ongoing free base co-op.
- 2425
- Confirmed free setups
- Does not apply
- Crossplay between
- PC (Windows), Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2
- 14
- Only one of you needs to buy it
- Not confirmed
Platforms
Sources
25 pages
valheim.comOfficial support page, read 23 October 2026
Backs Most players online, Crossplay, Crossplay between, Platforms.
- Most players online: Dated 2026-07-01. Says 1.0 is a game for 1-10 players.
- Crossplay: Says Valheim will support crossplay between all platforms.
- Crossplay between: The same FAQ lists the platforms. The Mac App Store release is a separate Mac edition.
- Platforms: Lists Steam for Windows, Linux and Mac, plus the Mac App Store, the Humble store, the Microsoft Store, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
store.steampowered.comOfficial news, read 23 October 2026
Backs Release status, Release date.
- Release status: Iron Gate post titled Valheim 1.0 Has Arrived, dated 2026-09-09.
- Release date: Early access began on 2021-02-02. The full release is 2026-09-09.
store.steampowered.comOfficial news, read 23 October 2026
Backs Crossplay.
- Crossplay: Patch 1.0.17 note from 2026-10-06 says crossplay stays functional so you can play with friends on any platform.
store.steampowered.comOfficial news, read 23 October 2026
Backs Crossplay between.
- Crossplay between: Patch 1.0.20 note from 2026-10-15 says Mac App Store players briefly could not play with other platforms until that store caught up on the patch.
valheimgame.comOfficial site, read 23 October 2026
Backs Online co-op, Most players online, Exploring, Sessions.
- Online co-op: Cooperate section says to play alone or with up to nine other people.
- Most players online: Up to nine other people makes ten in total.
- Exploring: Key features are Explore, Build, Craft, Conquer, Survive and Cooperate.
- Sessions: Describes a procedurally generated world on player-hosted servers.
store.steampowered.comStore page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Online co-op, Platforms, Building and creating, About, Exploring, Unlocks and progress.
- Online co-op: Key features list Online Co-op.
- Platforms: The system requirements tabs list Windows, macOS and SteamOS plus Linux.
- Building and creating: User tags include Building, Crafting and Base Building.
- About: The description says it is inspired by Norse mythology. User tags include Mythology.
- Exploring: User tags include Exploration.
- Unlocks and progress: The maker says you advance only by beating the bosses and crafting better gear from the new materials each one opens. Getting stronger for the next boss is a main goal.
store.steampowered.comStore data, read 23 October 2026
Backs Steam app ID, Release status, Release date, Platforms, Genres.
- Release status: Steam lists the game as available to play. The listing does not mark it as Early Access.
- Release date: Steam shows Sep 9, 2026.
- Platforms: Steam lists Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Genres: Steam lists Action, Adventure, Indie and RPG. PC Gamer's 1.0 review instead describes it as a survival game rather than an RPG.
store.steampowered.comStore data, read 23 October 2026
Backs Steam Deck.
- Steam Deck: Valve rates the game Verified on Steam Deck.
wikidata.orgWikidata, read 23 October 2026
Backs Wikidata item, Genres, Release date.
- Genres: P136 is survival game.
- Release date: P577 gives a full release on 2026-09-09 and early access on 2021-02-02.
xbox.comStore page, read 23 October 2026
Backs Platforms, Most players online, Crossplay.
- Platforms: Title reads Buy Valheim | XBOX. The Play with section lists Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
- Most players online: Capabilities list online co-op and multiplayer for 2-10 players.
- Crossplay: Capabilities list Xbox cross-platform multiplayer and co-op.
store.playstation.comStore page, read 23 October 2026
Backs Platforms.
- Platforms: Lists PS5 and a release date of 2026-09-09.
nintendo.comStore page, read 23 October 2026
Backs Platforms, Most players online.
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2 edition, listed as available now.
- Most players online: Player count reads up to 10 players online.
pcgamer.comPress, read 23 October 2026
Backs About, Calm and coziness, Tension and danger, Sessions, Time to hang out, Getting better, Laughter and chaos.
- About: PC Gamer 1.0 review describes chopping trees, mining, hunting, building a base, cooking and sailing to explore.
- Calm and coziness: Calls Valheim the coziest survival game.
- Tension and danger: Describes brutal expeditions and a tense trip back across a stormy sea.
- Sessions: Says there is an ending but you can keep playing the same world.
- Time to hang out: Contrasts a relaxed life at home with long, hard expeditions.
- Getting better: Says Valheim always makes you feel you have been through a major trial.
- Laughter and chaos: Describes a chaotic group cart ride down a mountain while fighting monsters.
ign.comPress, read 23 October 2026
Backs Fighting, Calm and coziness, Story, Getting better, Planning ahead.
- Fighting: IGN review posted 2026-09-08 praises the deep combat and mentions hectic boss fights.
- Calm and coziness: Says the game has a cozy side.
- Story: Says there are no quests. Odin, short rune poems and scenes after bosses carry the myth.
- Getting better: Describes timing-based dodges and parries, and bosses with their own patterns to learn.
- Planning ahead: Describes preparing food, gear and a ship before each trip.
twoaveragegamers.comPress, read 23 October 2026
Backs Working in sync.
- Working in sync: Says the game forces no roles, so each player can mine, chop, build and fight.
mmogames.comPress, read 23 October 2026
Backs Kind of game, Fear.
- Kind of game: Review from 2021-04-13 says it is fun to build a base together, team up on a boss or just set out on an adventure.
- Fear: Describes dark forests with foreboding shapes and vicious sounds. It is not horror.
valheim.comOfficial support page, read 23 October 2026
Backs Friends can join mid-game.
- Friends can join mid-game: The maker's guide says a dedicated server keeps a lasting world that you and your friends can play anytime. A world hosted from the game runs only while the host plays.
valheim.comOfficial support page, read 23 October 2026
Backs Friends can join mid-game.
- Friends can join mid-game: The maker's crossplay FAQ shows a friend joining a server that is already running by entering its join code.
store.steampowered.comOfficial news, read 23 October 2026
Backs Crossplay.
- Crossplay: Patch 0.211.7 from 2022-09-27 says Steam players join each other as before, players on other platforms use a join code, and a dedicated server must turn crossplay on.
pcgamer.comPress, read 23 October 2026
Backs Physical comedy.
- Physical comedy: Comparison from 2026-10-15 says nothing beats being flattened by a whole forest of falling trees.
pcgamer.comPress, read 23 October 2026
Backs Time to hang out.
- Time to hang out: Feature from early 2022 says it works well as a place to hang out with friends.
valheimgame.comOfficial support page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Voice chat by distance.
- Voice chat by distance: The current maker communication answer directs players to external software for voice. This explicitly excludes built-in distance-based voice.
valheimgame.comOfficial news, read 24 October 2026
Backs Crossplay.
- Crossplay: The October 15, 2026 patch warns that the delayed Mac App Store version temporarily cannot crossplay until it catches up. Current parity is unresolved, and Steam macOS remains a separate supported edition.
apps.apple.comStore page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Platforms, Free base co-op.
- Platforms: The Mac App Store offers the full base game for macOS only. Its multiplayer listing and the maker's FAQ support co-op worlds for one to ten players. The maker's October 15 patch notice warns that a delayed Mac App Store update temporarily blocks crossplay with other platforms. Whether versions currently match remains unresolved. This warning does not establish the same interruption for Steam on Mac.
- Free base co-op: The checked computer full-base edition has a paid base-game access model. Demos, trials, guest passes, platform sharing and temporary grants do not establish ongoing free base co-op.
valheimgame.comOfficial support page, read 24 October 2026
Backs Free base co-op.
- Free base co-op: The maker 1.0 FAQ dated July 1, 2026 announces purchase across the named computer and console platforms. Current 1.0 release news confirms this supported version. Existing Early Access copies update without another purchase.