It sounds like its right down your alley. And a great price for the amount play time it gives.
The maps in this game is called biomes, with mountains snow swamps deserts plains black forests and you get a seed number for your single play or MP map.

The beauty of this game is you can play solo and then go join your friends with all your current weapons food items on your inventory and you can also return back to your solo play with the whatever you have in your inventory.

The base building is a work of art really, you need to use your imagination.
But the upcoming update is about Heath and Home and should add some fun to the building side of it..

I love this game and it's fun solo or with friends.
use friends to help fight the bosses..
Killing bosses is quite a task but not impossible in solo.
You play as a Viking :)
The graphics are just beautiful but at first they seem oddly old style but as you play you become immersed into it the graphics are just so romantic.
There is lots to do and its not too difficult to learn.
Sail long ships and explore.

I would suggest you look into youtube for videos of the game play and tips.
If this game gives you that feeling of interest do your research first.
I've never had a bug glitch or any problems playing it 300 hundred hours.
adding another game for base building.
Subsistence is my favourite game for building far out bases but has no hard boss just ai hunters that can enabled or disabled. We can customize this game.
Is also mp supported.

If you really like base building, boss fights & bubblegum, look no further.

It is fine in solo mode, as others have said take your time to progress, don't let the graphics fool you, they have a beauty that is hard to appreciate until you actually play it.

I ignored this for months, just on the strength of the store page video's, even though it has great reviews. Then I watched some early game lets plays a couple of weeks ago, to get a feel for it, still I was undecided. Then I took a chance and got the game.

It is very relaxing, and can get manic and out of control if you choose to push too far too early in game, I love the freedom it gives you, the sea and weather is top notch atmospheric (don't forget to bring your sea sickness tablets :-)

As for npc's, it would be great if they add more in the future, I would be surprised if they did not, given how early it is in development

While not npc team mates as such, there are several things you can tame, one of which can be companion or two or 3 or.... , with out spoiling too much, I will leave it there !

Do your research, this game won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I love it so far, and I can see myself putting in plenty of time toward building, construction and exploration, in the future.

You usually play solo unless you invite people in to your world or unless you play on a dedicated server. I play on a dedicated server. I'm a naturally shy person but I enjoy playing alone, gathering items, and building things. There are other people on the server and sometimes they announce if anyone wants to join a boss fight. That's when I randomly show up 😅

If you would like to play with us please let us know!

It's not ready yet. I wouldnt waste your time now, only to have to replay it all when it finally gets finished. If it ever does get finished. Their dev schedule is... sedentary, to be kind.

Play something else, something finished. You'll only get burnt out on this as there isnt a great deal of content. Then when they finally do release something, you'll be back in the same loop.

Id say yes, but wait a year or two, brother.
Long way to go as far as stability/content goes.

I think there is a good chance you will enjoy the game, but I agree, wait for it to pan out. My honest guess is that the game will be ready around late 2023.

I find it more fun with friends, but I am currently having a go on a solo world.
Might be because I have already spent 300 hours playing with others but I am loving playing on my own as well now.
When playing just remember to pay attention, plan and take your time.

The game is totally fun alone. I always play it alone and this is one of the few games where I think that it doesn't need any NPC's.

There are tons of NPCs you can interact with. Mostly by killing them.

If you find the trader you can make a house next to him. He seems pretty jolly most of the time and quick with saying hello and goodbye when you visit.

Most of my 1000+ hours are solo