Although the Valheim hype has largely subsided from the earlier months of 2021, the game is retaining quite the sizable player base. After numerous unforeseen delays, the indie smash-hit has finalized the release date of its Hearth & Home update, and is releasing a series of spotlight videos to detail the new content coming to the game.
Initially revealed earlier this year, Valheim's Hearth & Home update intends to refine and diversify many of the viking survival sandbox title's mechanics and systems. No one expected Valheim to be as big and popular a game as it's become, including developer Iron Gate, which led it to shift its update plans from Q2 to Q3 2021. With today's new video, Iron Gate details the several new ingredients and mechanics slated to arrive in a few weeks.
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One of the biggest new pieces of info revealed in the minute-long Valheim clip is the new variants of meat. Rather than a universal slab of flesh, deer, boar, and wolf meat will all have their own distinct appearances. The new protein options along with a new plantable onion will unlock an array of new recipes for even the most discerning of viking palates. Cooking itself is also receiving a bit of an overhaul. Players will have to upgrade their cauldrons with cooking extensions as they would other crafting stations. Additionally, items like bread and pie will need to be baked before becoming edible. Should players be dissatisfied with their current food intake, a new type of berry allows players to projectile vomit out anything they've ingested.
The ingredients aren't the only new changes Valheim is making to its food. In addition to the diversification of meat, food altogether is being split into three categories. Food items will now have a red category which mostly gives health, a yellow category which grants mostly stamina, and white, indicating an even split. The food bar is also being removed, replaced by timers which show players how much time they have left on each food before needing more, although icons will still blink once they're halfway through.
Despite its name seeming to focus on non-combat related content, the Valheim update will also be making significant changes to the tower shield and blocking. Tower shields are set to receive a significant buff granting it higher knockback, making it a useful tool for defensive or tank-style players. For blocking, Valheim players' blocking power will be determined by their maximum health. Instead of impacting stamina, blocking affects the new stagger bar. This bar fills as attacks are blocked, and players will become stunned should they block with a full stagger bar. Rather than streamline or simplify itself, Valheim appears to be adding a layer of complexity.
While the Valheim Hearth & Home update revamps many aspects of the game, one thing it doesn't seem to be touching is its graphics. While some gamers enjoy the title's quasi-retro appearance, others may be looking for something a little more "next-gen." A Valheim 8K texture pack mod does just that, although probably not for the food.
Valheim is available now on PC.
MORE: Valheim: Every Shield In The Game, Ranked
