Games like Valheim: 8 survival games to play in co-op

The closest game to Valheim right now is Enshrouded, with Sons of the Forest and Conan Exiles right behind. Iron Gate Studios sends you to a tenth world inspired by Norse mythology, alone or with up to nine friends, to explore, build and beat bosses until you prove yourself worthy of Odin. Here are 8 games that capture the same feeling.

Why Valheim is so easy to love

Valheim nails a rare balance: it is a survival game that does not punish you too hard, yet always hands you a new goal. Each biome, from the calm Meadows to the frozen Deep North, brings new enemies, resources and the next tier of gear. You beat one of the Forsaken, unlock new recipes and head further out.

Then there is building. A longhouse with a fire in the middle, a longship to cross the ocean, a farm next to the portal: you spend as much time building as fighting. According to players on IGDB, the main adventure takes about 19 hours, 25 with extras, and around 122 to do everything.

How to pick your next survival game

If biome progression and bosses are what hook you, Enshrouded is the closest. Want more fear? Sons of the Forest. Co-op building? Conan Exiles and Grounded have plenty. If you prefer something more colourful, look at games like Terraria, games like Minecraft, or even Palworld, which mixes survival with creature catching.

1. 

   1. Enshrouded

   2026

   The most obvious spiritual successor. Keen Games drops you into a world eaten by a deadly fog, the Shroud, which you push back bit by bit. Very free block-by-block building, group co-op, bosses and zone progression: if you loved building and exploring in Valheim, you will feel right at home.

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2. 

   2. Sons of the Forest

   2024

   Darker and scarier. You survive on an island full of cannibals and strange creatures, with Kelvin, a companion you can give orders to. Building is physical and satisfying, and nights are genuinely frightening. Great in co-op if you like your survival with real tension.

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3. 

   3. Grounded

   2022 · Main story 25 h

   Obsidian shrinks you to the size of an ant in a suburban backyard. Insects become bosses, a dewdrop becomes your water supply and a lawn becomes a jungle. Same ingredients as Valheim, co-op, crafting and bases, in a much funnier and more original setting.

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4. 

   4. Conan Exiles

   2018

   A survival game set in the world of Conan the Barbarian, with a hostile desert, dungeons and bosses. Funcom leans hard on fortress building and on Thralls, NPCs you capture to work or fight for you. Ideal if you want bigger bases and a larger world.

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5. 

   5. Core Keeper

   2024

   A top-down, underground take on the same idea. You dig, farm, fish and fight big bosses in caverns that keep expanding, alone or with friends. More relaxing than Valheim, yet just as addictive when all you want is to push one more biome tonight.

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6. 

   6. V Rising

   2024

   You are a vampire who wakes up weak and has to rebuild a castle. You hunt bosses to steal their powers, dodge the sunlight that burns you and expand your domain. The build, boss, gear loop is very close to Valheim, with more action-focused combat.

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7. 

   7. Dragon Quest Builders 2

   2018 · Main story 30 h

   A gentler, more guided option. Square Enix mixes block building with a real RPG story, and characters move into whatever you build. You can play co-op on your island. Perfect if you love building but pure survival wears you out.

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8. 

   8. Terraria

   2011 · Main story 25.5 h

   The 2D classic that inspired much of the genre. You dig, build, craft hundreds of items and face a long chain of bosses, each one opening the way to the next. Same progression logic as Valheim in pixel form, and almost bottomless.

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FAQ

What game is most like Valheim?

Enshrouded is the closest: a world explored zone by zone, very free building, bosses and group co-op. Sons of the Forest and Conan Exiles also offer group survival, with a darker or more brutal mood depending on which one you pick.

How long does it take to beat Valheim?

According to players on IGDB, the main adventure takes about 19 hours, or 25 if you take your time. Doing everything takes around 122 hours. In practice, many players spend far more time building than pushing forward.

How many players can play Valheim together?

Valheim can be played solo or with up to ten players on the same world. It shines most with three or four friends, each taking a job: building, exploring, farming or heading out to hunt the next boss.