Early Access (or other) games comparable to Valheim

[loppantorkel]

I've noticed a few complaints about the progress in the development of Valheim. Mistlands is of course expected later this year, or possible early next year. Since I'm holding out until the Mistlands release, I've got some time to kill this autumn.

I think I'm upwards 400 hours played in Valheim.
I've spent approx 17€ on the game.
I haven't lost my world a single time, and I don't remember having any crashes during these several hundred hours spent.
I've barely had any issues playing this game in co-op, only a few dropped connections.
In terms of early access titles - this is by far the best money I've spent.

I'd love to see some comparable games to this. In terms of accessibility, co-op, durability, cost effectiveness, etc.

Feel free to suggest titles for me and others to check out that you've enjoyed as much as Valheim, while we wait for more content. I'd be most happy to check out other early access games, but it doesn't have to be. It does not have to be games similar to Valheim, just comparable in value - check how much time you've spent on either game, if unsure. Please keep things constructive in this thread.

[knighttemplar1960]

No Man's Sky is a similar game but its in space instead of ancient Valhalla. The best game in my library is Factorio. Its a factory building game on a hostile planet. There is a free demo that you can download and try to see if its your kind of game or not.

[StickyPawz]

The original "Salt" game is fun if you like simple sailing, fishing, building bigger boats, and exploring hundreds of random islands. It's been 90% off several times. Slower paced than Valheim.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/327860/Salt/

EDIT: damn typo

[loppantorkel]

Originally posted by knighttemplar1960:

No Man's Sky is a similar game but its in space instead of ancient Valhalla. The best game in my library is Factorio. Its a factory building game on a hostile planet. There is a free demo that you can download and try to see if its your kind of game or not.

No Man's sky (The Forrest, Subnautica and the Raft too) is an interesting game. As far as settings go, I find Valheim more suitable for me, but it's a personal preference. They're all games that warrant closer inspection and possible purchase.
Factorio seems like a great game, but it's not for all. I've kept an eye on it, but I can't see myself getting into it.

Great suggestions still .

[Pantstron]

I literally have nothing that is comparable to the terms you listed. I either live under a rock or that's a testament to valheim. The next best things for your terms I've played are Hades, FTL, Terraria and Noita

[loppantorkel]

Originally posted by Fzanco:

I literally have nothing that is comparable to the terms you listed. I either live under a rock or that's a testament to valheim. The next best things for your terms I've played are Hades, FTL, Terraria and Noita

FTL (158 hours played) is up there as one of the greater Steam games I've bought.

Noita (103 h) is another exemplary early access game that I bought and played throughout the early access period. Great game.

Hades obviously another superb 'indie game' if it can fit into that category. I've played some of their earlier games. Excellent quality. Liked Transistor very much, but I think Hades is a bit too lengthy for me. I doubt I'd play it through the end and therefor haven't bought it. Supposedly amazing game that I've checked out, but I doubt I'd enjoy the gameplay loop enough to grind through the game.

Your point that no games mentioned still reaches Valheim if you include a co-op component, longevity and price point still stands. Terraria might be one, albeit in 2D. I haven't played that one either.

Edit: Risk of Rain (both 1 and 2 (although only tried the 2nd one out)) are pretty great as far as early access games go too.

Edit 2: Might as well include two other indie/early access titles I've enjoyed and played a lot: Darkest Dungeon (89 h)(also mired by a lengthy early access period with a lot of criticism along the way, only to turn out as an excellent game in the end), and Baba Is You (120 h) - bit of a different game since it's a puzzle game, but an amazing game and great value per €.

[loppantorkel]

Originally posted by GunsForBucks:

Killing Floor - first one. Solid game.

Payday 2 - Good game but does have some minor bugs. Value? Get it on sale.

Blood and Bacon - Goofy fun family co-op good value.

Other co-op games I would recommend are probably too old and no player base.

Could suggest more single player titles but that isn't what you asked for.

Co-op would of course be nice, but I'm more looking for excellent games with comparable value propositions of Valheim. If co-op is swapped for another feature, so be it. Great entertainment at excellent value isn't so easy to come by and since we've got some time to spend, this is a constructive exercise and will perhaps give some people examples of where to spend some time this autumn. Also goes to show the company of games Valheim can be compared to in terms of entertainment/€ and overall quality this far.

[Cooperal]

Originally posted by loppantorkel:

Originally posted by GunsForBucks:

Killing Floor - first one. Solid game.

Payday 2 - Good game but does have some minor bugs. Value? Get it on sale.

Blood and Bacon - Goofy fun family co-op good value.

Other co-op games I would recommend are probably too old and no player base.

Could suggest more single player titles but that isn't what you asked for.

Co-op would of course be nice, but I'm more looking for excellent games with comparable value propositions of Valheim. If co-op is swapped for another feature, so be it. Great entertainment at excellent value isn't so easy to come by and since we've got some time to spend, this is a constructive exercise and will perhaps give some people examples of where to spend some time this autumn. Also goes to show the company of games Valheim can be compared to in terms of entertainment/€ and overall quality this far.

Lazy answer but still a good one I think. Jump on the PC version of xbox game pass for a month.

That's enough time to complete some of the games in their selection, and enough time to figure out some games that you would like to keep on steam later.

It even works in reverse. You might have some doubts about certain games, try them out, and confirm those doubts. I can usually figure out a game just from some gameplay videos and promotional stuff, but game pass has certainly saved me from making a couple of purchase regrets.

[loppantorkel]

Originally posted by Cooperal:

Originally posted by loppantorkel:

Co-op would of course be nice, but I'm more looking for excellent games with comparable value propositions of Valheim. If co-op is swapped for another feature, so be it. Great entertainment at excellent value isn't so easy to come by and since we've got some time to spend, this is a constructive exercise and will perhaps give some people examples of where to spend some time this autumn. Also goes to show the company of games Valheim can be compared to in terms of entertainment/€ and overall quality this far.

Lazy answer but still a good one I think. Jump on the PC version of xbox game pass for a month.

That's enough time to complete some of the games in their selection, and enough time to figure out some games that you would like to keep on steam later.

It even works in reverse. You might have some doubts about certain games, try them out, and confirm those doubts. I can usually figure out a game just from some gameplay videos and promotional stuff, but game pass has certainly saved me from making a couple of purchase regrets.

Thanks. I've considered the Gamepass, but ultimately it's about finding games worth playing for me. Games I want to play are fewer and fewer, and games like Valheim are rare. Looking back at time spent in the games I've bought and enjoyed, Valheim is among the top games.

There are other things to consider when it comes to entertainment and quality of games, but even considering those other aspects, Valheim still is among the top games when looking back at the game experience. Gamepass would not solve the problem of finding quality entertainment in the foreseable future. I got several games in the backlog I've got to get through already :)

[Flare |UKCS|]

Have you considered Deep Rock Galactic ?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/Deep_Rock_Galactic/

Its on sale at the moment, offers a simple gameplay look where you take a space age Dwarf down procedurally generated mines and caverns to do missions, fight off aggressive fauna and nab the loot, then have a drink at the hub bar while dancing to jukebox tunes.
It can also be played co-op with 4 players and the dwarves are divided into classes which can make for fun co op matches with players doing different but important roles.

[SomethingCoolBro]

You MUST play Satisfactory. This is the ONLY game worthy of Valheim players imo. It has heavy building, and a surprising amount of exploration. Imagine Valheim, but with automated bits and conveyor belts.

The scale of building is just insane. It has many of the elements that make Valheim great. Just be prepared to lose another few hundred hours of your life.

[Onni]

You should check out Ultrakill, it's not much like Valheim at all but it is a fantastic early access game. A low skill floor with a high skill ceiling type game that is fun all through.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1229490/ULTRAKILL/

[Ryzilynt]

Originally posted by Flare |UKCS|:

Have you considered Deep Rock Galactic ?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/Deep_Rock_Galactic/

Its on sale at the moment, offers a simple gameplay look where you take a space age Dwarf down procedurally generated mines and caverns to do missions, fight off aggressive fauna and nab the loot, then have a drink at the hub bar while dancing to jukebox tunes.
It can also be played co-op with 4 players and the dwarves are divided into classes which can make for fun co op matches with players doing different but important roles.

I came here to say this. Great game , great co-op, same publisher. The combat is a little more intense and not nearly as forgiving as Valheim.

[Darklyt750]

My 2 favorite games on steam are/were early access.

Empyrion Galactic Survival, my most played game on steam (just under 1k hours). I don't even remember how much I bought it for, but something along the lines of $20 or less.

Clunky as all hell, but man whenever I play any other space game, it makes me want to go back to Empyrion. TECHNICALLY not in EA anymore, but they are still adding tons of stuff lol

7 Days to Die. A pretty popular one. I believe this was one of my first games on steam. Tons of hours, also like $20 when purchased.

Valheim has so much potential, I'm excited to see the level it gets to.

[Zep Tepi]

Nothing I know of completely takes the place of Valheim. There's always something that other games don't do quite as well, like bugs, shorter shelf life, not as nice looking, etc.

Force of Nature and Force of Nature 2 have similar game play loops as Valheim, but not as pretty. Craft, farm, defeat biomes in order. Has co-op too.

For pretty nature/camping/survival there's The Forest, Green Hell, Icarus, and Escape the Pacific.

Of course there's the classics of No Man's Sky and Subnautica. Maybe even Ark if you haven't done that one already.

I just started The Wandering Village, but it's a different genre, brand new, and might not have enough content for the price, but it looks nice and has kept me busy all day.

[LagMane]

Originally posted by Ryzilynt:

Originally posted by Flare |UKCS|:

Have you considered Deep Rock Galactic ?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/Deep_Rock_Galactic/

Its on sale at the moment, offers a simple gameplay look where you take a space age Dwarf down procedurally generated mines and caverns to do missions, fight off aggressive fauna and nab the loot, then have a drink at the hub bar while dancing to jukebox tunes.
It can also be played co-op with 4 players and the dwarves are divided into classes which can make for fun co op matches with players doing different but important roles.

I came here to say this. Great game , great co-op, same publisher. The combat is a little more intense and not nearly as forgiving as Valheim.

I also took the time to comment to second this, and I rarely comment.