Not sure if this is a solvable problem. You can either take other people's words for it, knowing it's possibly just a vocal minority and doesn't even represent the majority of players, nevermind yourself specifically, or you can just play it yourself.

I do recall the devs suggested starting over, in any case. A lot of the gripes I've seen are from players continuing saves and having things not work the way they used to. I personally only started playing after H&H, so I'm having no issues because I don't have anything to skew my perception.

So maybe try it out but on a new save instead of continuing your existing one? That way you get to see the changes as the emerge at their intended pacing, instead of suddenly being broadsided by changes impacting your existing game.

Well some of it to me is just tough love. We complain, but it's from a place of wanting the game to be better. Unfortunately some people want the game to be easier, ignore them all I say.

What got me interested in playing again was the building. I didn't focus on boss rushing, or even killing the bosses except Eikthyr, I just farmed out 2 Iron from Oozer's to get a Stonecutter, then started building a huge base. The only thing that invades me is Greydwarf's and i'm fine with that, because the building is genuinely fun.

The new content is kind of nice, I don't mind the tar thing as long as we get more things to build.

I just returned after a long break and honestly the changes are minor. People are complaining about the stamina from what ive seen mostly, but i havent noticed that much of a difference myself? I just eat two meats and a berry and im set. they dont degrade as much either so they last longer.

That being said, after doing another 40ish hours in a fresh start I'm putting the game down for a while again. I'm at the swamp biome and I still think the game is just as good as it was....its just not very different. at all. the new added stuff is barely notable to me really.

I'd say the most negative thing about the game for me is it feels like it has had no real development in almost a year now. Feels like a dead game. I "know" it isnt, but it sure feels like one if you've had it from the beginning. nothings changed.

Things are a bit different(maybe more of a challenge) but I'm thinking many of the negatives are basically "My mods broke!!!!!!!!!!!" so they weren't actually playing Valhiem. I started a new game and am having fun. Maybe I rushed some things a bit and we know what happens when you rush things(time spent on salvage and recovery efforts).

There's nothing to cry about, game just got polished and it'll keep getting polished. Played with a friend last night, his first time after update and he's stoked as and can't wait to sink a ♥♥♥♥ ton more hours in

You're playing right into the negative people's hands if you listen to them without trying out the update for yourself. Do start a new world, though, to have the best (and least likely to have problems) experience. I've had exactly one update-related issue (game randomly freezing) with my fresh world and character, and that was solved by a simple reinstall.

IMO it's never worth it listening to such constant complaining, not when it's just some players (most likely a vocal minority, too). Some people love to hate on everything they find even slightly less than ideal, and try to get others to share that point of view.

Don't let them get to you. Even if you do end up hating the update after giving it a try at least that will be your OWN opinion and not random people's.

I think the game is still great, and while some aspects are more difficult now the overall experience is just as good as prior to Hearth & Home.

If you already have the game you might as well just try it for yourself. Make a new character and world and play until you get past the Dark Forest. By then you should have a feel for most of the changes to the food and combat system everyone is complaining about.

That said I would not recommend some buy the game new at this time. Simply because it might under go another drastic change in response to the response to the H&H update and best to wait until the dust settles for a bit..

I picked the game up 4 or 5 months ago, played it for about a month and enjoyed it, but thought it needed a little more balancing so I put it down until after the H&H update. I think the stamina is better now personally. Getting the better food as you progress in the game definitely helps though.

I've only killed the first boss, and have dipped into the swamp enough to make some sausage and some good potions. With the food I can make at this point with the cauldron, especially some of the new food, it's good enough to easily get me through a gray dwarf raid with bronze armor and sword without having to kite around to let my stamina recharge.

To me, it's part of the fight mechanics of the game, and you just have to learn to fight with it. It's part of any game. I enjoy it mostly for the building, and to be able to just play a chill game, but if I want it to be more intense it can be. Just need to wander into the swamp again.

One of the things I like the most about it is that even as a beta there are no game breaking bugs that I have come upon, or really many bugs at all. I think that is one of the reasons for the slower development. It seems thoroughly tested before it's released. If you play No Mans Sky, a 5 year old game, the same can not be said. I enjoy that one too, but the after playing for a week after the last update, I had to walk away from it for a little while.

Pls…

The time you spend on writing that you could have invested into clicking the download button and test it out for yourself.

People with their instant nostalgia blocking…

Game is fine, to me the whiners are the ones who want every single game on easy. Changes to food system makes sense, new combat mechanics makes sense (especially the stagger bar). I also don't mod the game, so definitely nothing to cry about there. Still in Bronze armour having only killed first boss, but can safely wander around swamp, so long as make sure don't get surrounded, then have issues. Mountain biome though...them wolves hit hard, risky to enter there, but pointless at moment as can't get the silver or obsidian till get iron.

Please remember that this is an Early Access game, that means that things will be introduced per the dev plan specifically for feedback from the community. If you dislike a change or have suggestions for something different or new, then you provide that here or through the discord. You're only going to be able to do that by playing the game, not by reading other peoples opinions.

With enough feedback the devs may make adjustments to test out further balancing (they have already made tweaks from Hearth & Home) - Early Access games are a work in progress, and typically people buy them to be part of that process.

If you don't want to be part of that process, that's totally understandable! It's not for everyone. If that's the case, I'd hold off playing (and avoid buying EA games tbh) till you get the retail release announcement.

Only you will know if you like something when you try it :) no one else can tell you if you'll like it or not. Not everyone dislikes the Hearth & Home changes, for example.

I feel like a lot of people don't really understand how Early Access is supposed to work, despite reminders, and so get super angry over things that get introduced or changed when they really just need to be giving clear feedback & suggestions for change/improvement on. For the kind of person who gets angry over change, Early Access games are probably not the right choices since they're going to be introducing lots of change.

Hopefully though, you give the changes a play and have some good feedback to contribute soon!

Boar, Neck, and Deer meat give you like 110hp and 80 stamina.
110 hp is enough to withstand one attack from a troll without any armor.
80 stamina is plenty to do a crapload if you raise your skills a bit.

The buffs from food before the patch were much lower and shorter.

The problem is people lack the patience to deal with that 2-3 second delay it takes to catch your breath before stamina starts regaining. Those who rant usually are lacking in the patience department.

I think the wet, rested, and cold buff/debuffs are perfectly fine. Rested should be enough of a buff that you notice it is gone when it runs out, but not so much that you can not play without it.

Originally posted by StayinBroke:

If you play No Mans Sky, a 5 year old game, the same can not be said. I enjoy that one too, but the after playing for a week after the last update, I had to walk away from it for a little while.

300% agree, the patch and Expedition was a @#$%show.

Just play it. Take an hour of your time and see for yourself.

The complaints about the game might be some legitimate issues, which are rare, but mostly it's people being inconvenienced slightly and griping about it.

Dont listen to negatives. In the end the DEVS have stated they are making the game they want to make; that means it will change and likely annoy people who still think they’ve paid for a finished game or a game set it stone.
How about some positives?:
Huge performance increase
Lox riding is awesome and you can essentially use them like a cart (fill up your inventory till you’re full to brim and hop on your lox and ride home! Overburdened be damned!)
Nice new building bits n bobs.
Bit more interest and thought in food.
Some cool new craftables

Ignore the forums and make up your own mind. I've seen a lot of complaints that I simply don't agree with... but I don't feel the need to step in and argue.

It's just as good as at the start of this year... even better! Optimization has seen some work! The game itself is still enjoyable.