Originally posted by jonnin:

The bosses are not about reactions. I am getting older too, so I know what you mean (I gamed under dos and 2e). The bosses are really gear checks: can you make food, are you wearing the right armor, did you brew the right potions so that you can take a hit or two, are your weapons and skill levels up it, etc. If you have all the right stuff and a decent exit strategy if things go wrong (eg you get stray normal enemy on you mid fight) they are like chopping down a large tree with a camping hatchet ... its slow, but not terribly difficult.

Good summary. The bosses don't really have something like quick events where you need to dodge or block something, if you simply keep your distance. Most attacks are well telegraphed. Valheim bosses are much more about preparation and strategy, as well as intuition if you're going to go in blind.

It's also a co-op game, most bosses are much easier with a shield-brother or sister.

Many thanks for all your helpful and positive comments. I've just purchased the game.

You will probably find you end up wanting the boss fights, because you feel confident and want to do a little more exploration and have great gear, and can hammer the mobs around you, you have all the time in the world to do so at your leasure.

The only thing is every boss you kill brings the next bosses goons, the raids/events, i think its every 45 minutes it has a 20% chance of happening? The starter mobs are easy :)

Mods can stop them, I hear valheim+ has many great options.
I havent tried any mods though.

No and Yes...

No: "Progression" is tied to boss fights. For example, you must defeat the first boss to get a drop (antlers) that allow you to build a pickaxe. Now you can mine copper/tin to build better gear.

Yes: There are mods/cheats or even cheesy ways to overcome this if that's what you want to do. You could use the "devcommands" and just spawn up an antler (or even a pickaxe) and negate the need for the boss fight. Or, you could just choose to stay at the beginning stage and never progress to mining/copper/tin (but that will limit which biomes you could safely explore).

That said, eating provides HP and stamina boosts ... but you cannot die from not eating. So it kind of depends on what you are looking for as a "survival" experience.

If you don't like the boss fights and don't want to cheat, its probably not a good game for you.

The boss design is pretty good though:
- it forces you to explore a lot more than you otherwise would
- it offers a challenging fight and something to look forward to when the normal enemy have become a bit stale/routine in an area
- the progression locks are pretty soft. You can manage with only 2 of the boss items (you need mountain and plains) if you are willing to work around it. I highly recommend the key to the swamp, but its not strictly necessary.

Originally posted by HangarPilot:

No and Yes...

No: "Progression" is tied to boss fights. For example, you must defeat the first boss to get a drop (antlers) that allow you to build a pickaxe. Now you can mine copper/tin to build better gear.

Yes: There are mods/cheats or even cheesy ways to overcome this if that's what you want to do. You could use the "devcommands" and just spawn up an antler (or even a pickaxe) and negate the need for the boss fight. Or, you could just choose to stay at the beginning stage and never progress to mining/copper/tin (but that will limit which biomes you could safely explore).

That said, eating provides HP and stamina boosts ... but you cannot die from not eating. So it kind of depends on what you are looking for as a "survival" experience.

That's very helpful. I am shall we say, a more mature gamer, so my reactions have slowed. I'm not into combat per se. I do like the idea of having to work to survive and either fighting an enemy or running away!

Building, hunting, foraging, farming, mining and fishing are all positive. I'm impressed with the images of some of the structures and boats I've seen created.

I'm not averse to cheating to be able to focus on aspects of the game I think I'd enjoy. :-)

As said above you have to go after the bosses to progress to better building and equipment items.

You can take as long as you want though and if flint weapons and tools will do for you then so be it.
Bronze weapons and tools are locked behind the first boss, iron is locked behind the 2nd boss and so on.
You can cook better food after each boss also.

After setting up your base and you find nothing else to do then start going after the bosses.
Having a few wolves tamed and guarding your base will even take down the Trolls that may attack your base. To get wolves you will have to kill the first boss to get what is needed to make the potions to keep you from freezing until you get to wolves down low enough to be safe or build the pen and a small house to have a fire to keep you warm while the wolves are tamed.

If you are not against cheating, then yea, that makes it even easier.
The bosses are not about reactions. I am getting older too, so I know what you mean (I gamed under dos and 2e). The bosses are really gear checks: can you make food, are you wearing the right armor, did you brew the right potions so that you can take a hit or two, are your weapons and skill levels up it, etc. If you have all the right stuff and a decent exit strategy if things go wrong (eg you get stray normal enemy on you mid fight) they are like chopping down a large tree with a camping hatchet ... its slow, but not terribly difficult.

Originally posted by LaconicRed:

I'm not averse to cheating to be able to focus on aspects of the game I think I'd enjoy. :-)

I'm retired (and getting along in years) and I love this game (almost 1500 hours). There are cheats and/or mods to overcome pretty much anything in the game you don't like. I play with a controller on the TV so my wife can watch. It's actually HER favorite game but she doesn't play.

For the most part, the only "threats" you face you bring on yourself. Leave the meadow to see what's in the black forest and you find some tougher bad guys. Want to stay in the meadow in just build an epic castle - you can do that too.

One other thing I should mention ... the game "prompts" you to move on by sending raids. The first boss sends "forest creatures" to attack your base (a couple pigs and lizards). Not a big deal. That's just your clue you need to kill the boss. ***If you want peace and quiet, don't kill the boss!*** Because what will happen is the NEXT boss starts sending attackers and up and up it goes.

If you are open to cheats/mods (and/or know your limitations) it can be a very casual and relaxing game. Hunting deer with a bow is always fun for me. Fishing isn't my thing, but it's in there. Farming. Taming and breeding animals like boars. Or if you're big into cheating ... raising chickens (it only becomes available in the late stages of the game unless you cheat).

You can do what I do... buy it... set a timer for an hour or so ... and give it a go. If you don't love it within the return window (2 hours of playtime) return it! Best $20 I ever spent.