Though Iron Gate AB’s Viking survival game Valheim has yet to leave early access since its release in early 2021, the second Midsummer event in the game’s short lifetime is soon to be underway. One of the many games that celebrate the summer solstice, Valheim’s last Midsummer event added the ability to craft Maypoles and a variety of banners. This year’s event looks to give players more colorful options, in addition to a craftable flower crown à la Ari Aster’s aptly-named Midsommar.
However, the Midsummer event is not the only draw to this upcoming Valheim update. Iron Gate AB has also revealed the addition of a new biome with their Mistlands update, the ninth distinct biome to be added to the widespread survival game. As each of the biomes carries its own host of natural (and unnatural) threats, Iron Gate has unveiled the tick as one of the exclusive Mistlands enemies coming to the game, citing the familiar ticks the developers battle during summers in Sweden. While not much else is known about the Mistlands at this time, the developers have teased an additional forge that will access unrevealed gear, as well as ancient Mistlands ruins inhabited by “denizens” the devs don’t want to spoil just yet.
For those unaware, Valheim is a cooperative game that follows dead Viking warriors sent to Valheim to earn their place in Valhalla, the afterlife of the Norse mythos. To find themselves worthy, they must craft and battle their way through Valheim, confronting some of Norse mythology’s most hellish creatures. At the same time, players must face the same struggles of your run-of-the-mill survival game: hunger, the elements, and often other Vikings. As the game has sat in early access for almost two years now, consistent content updates have been required to keep the player base substantial, though the Mistlands update has been teased for some time now.
In addition to the game’s upcoming content updates, Iron Gate has also announced that Valheim will be coming to the Microsoft store (and, as a result, Xbox) and will be capable of crossplay with players on Steam. However, the developers have stated that external teams are handling the port so the immediate team can “keep focusing on the Mistlands update.”
Though there is no set date, Iron Gate AB hopes to fully release Valheim later this year.