The game is great even being alpha, and it is being worked on... BUT!

It is nothing like the challenges faced in Rust or 7D2D. Game that is most similar is Conan Exiles, which is also very good.

Basically, this is not a PvP game. You can PvP but in no way is it designed for it. I enjoy PvP and the one thing players provide is a challenge, that is varied and fun. No PvE can compare. The PvE in Valheim is like most PvE, at first mildly challenging but once you figure out the timings, abilities, what not... it becomes pretty s8 forward/easy. Valheim is more about the building, exploring IMO, the PvE is solid but at least currently not very tough unless you purposely limit yourself, like you only ever use clubs or what not (or fists/kicks, that would be a challenge).

7D2D can be PvE or PvP, but since you said Rust I assumed you were on PvP servers. Plus it seems designed for PvP, whereas Valheim it is just a toggle but definitely not a design focus. Would be fun to have a 5v5 viking challenge with PvP on and which grp kills Yagluth first wins.... it could be done but then all 10 need to be online same time to be fair, or at least 4 of 5 online from each team.