The long-awaited Mistlands update for Valheim is finally available for players to try out on the game's test branch, and it's coming with a surprising amount of content and features to accompany the new Mistlands biome. Part of the appeal of Valheim is the process of discovery when exploring the game, so players interested in discovering these features for themselves should be warned of some spoilers ahead.
Co-op survival game Valheim went viral last year when the unassuming indie game about Norse mythology was met with an astoundingly positive reception and droves of players attracted to the game's features. Built by a team of five people, Valheim's mixture of Minecraft-style creative building along with stamina-based combat and challenging bosses similar to Souls-like games has been able to appeal to a wide range of players. The spirit of discovery permeates throughout the game, where being crushed by a fallen tree or suffocated by smoke are teachable moments about the game's surprisingly complex systems.
Those systems have just grown in complexity thanks to the highly anticipated Mistlands update which Valheim's developers have been teasing for quite a while. The main attraction of the update is, of course, the eponymous Mistlands endgame biome which is enshrouded in fog and populated with new enemies such as the giant insectoid Seekers, and the massive floating Gjall creatures that spew a deadly chemical. The Mistlands also features a new boss, and unique compared to other Valheim bosses, this one hides in a lair that must be unlocked rather than the usual altar summoning method.
An interesting magic system added to Valheim has added an additional layer to progression and resource management, including the staff weapon type that uses the new Eitr energy resource which functions similarly to MP in other games. Weapons like the Staff of Frost deal frost damage in exchange for an Eitr cost, while new armor can also be crafted to enhance magic-focused player builds. A form of blood magic has also been added, with the Dead Raiser item allowing players to summon Skeleton minions in exchange for a chunk of health and Eitr. Consumables will be crucial for managing Eitr, since players have a base level of 0 Eitr without the right items. It's clear that the magic system is intended to be worked toward over time, rather than players starting out as weak mages.
There's plenty more to explore in the Mistlands thanks to this major Valheim update, although in order to access the new content players need to be sure to opt into the test branch of the game to try it out. While the update is fully playable in its current state, some changes and improvements can be expected between now and the inevitable live build if fans want to wait for the final product.
Valheim is available now for PC, and releases in early 2023 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: PC Gamer