TROLLHEIM: GNOMES Review: Gameplay Features and Early Access Guide

TROLLHEIM: GNOMES is an upcoming PvE survival adventure that transports players into a magical realm inspired by Nordic folklore. As the last Sprýg Gnomes driven from Midgård, players must navigate the "Dark Forest," a procedurally grown sandbox teeming with mythical beings known as Väsen. The game emphasizes vertical traversal, tiered crafting, and cooperative base-building for up to eight players.

Game Premise and Setting

The narrative of TROLLHEIM: GNOMES centers on the displacement of the Sprýg Gnomes. Following the corruption of Midgård by Oden, the gnomes flee to Trollheim, the only remaining sanctuary. This transition shifts the gameplay focus from simple survival to the preservation of gnome culture in a world where trolls, sirens, and faeries are tangible inhabitants.

The environment, known as the Dark Forest, is designed to be experienced from a "tiny" perspective. This scale turns every mossy hill, damp rock, and tall pine into a significant navigational challenge. The world consists of carefully curated biomes and deep cave networks that players must explore to reunite with lost kin and uncover the mysteries of the Väsen.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Based on the official Steam documentation, the gameplay loop integrates traditional survival elements with unique verticality.

Survival and Crafting

Players must engage in several tiers of resource management:

• Processing and Cooking: Multiple tiers of food preparation and material refinement are available to help gnomes thrive.
• Vertical Traversal: Unlike many survival games, movement is highly vertical. Players must climb trees and navigate cliffs to reach safety or resources.
• Exploration: The world features underground cave networks and varied biomes, each presenting unique environmental hazards.

Building and Customization

The building system allows for high levels of creativity, focusing on blending into the natural environment. Confirmed building locations include:

• Treetops: Constructing idyllic housing high above the forest floor.
• Natural Crevices: Tucking homes into rock crevices or within hollowed-out logs.
• Lakeside: Building near mist-filled forest lakes.
• Aesthetics: Players can add functional and decorative elements like bridges, moss-clad walls, and low-light lanterns to customize their dwellings.

Living Among the Väsen

The "Väsen" are the mythical beings of Nordic folk belief that inhabit Trollheim. Unlike standard NPCs, their interaction with the player is dynamic:

• Social Interactions: Some Väsen are peaceful and may wander over to join a player's campfire.
• Hostility: Certain creatures will attack on sight, requiring players to defend their homes.
• Recruitment: Players can "calm the nerves" of these beings or offer them items in exchange for their cooperation. Some Väsen may even move into the player’s settlement.

Multiplayer and Early Access Status

TROLLHEIM: GNOMES supports both solo play and online co-op for up to 7 friends (8 players total). The developers have announced that the game will launch in Early Access, a phase expected to last between 12 and 18 months.

During this period, the developers plan to expand the "Dark Forest" with additional biomes, deeper crafting systems, and more gnome culture lore. A significant plot point mentioned for future development involves a "darker stirring" in the world that will eventually threaten the forest, transitioning the game from a survival focus to a broader conflict.

System Requirements

The game requires a 64-bit processor and operating system. The following specifications are confirmed for the PC version:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a playtest available?

Yes, a TROLLHEIM: GNOMES Playtest is accessible via the Steam library for those who wish to test the game before its full Early Access launch.

What platforms is the game on?

The game is currently confirmed for PC via Steam. Steam Deck compatibility is currently listed as "Unknown" by the developers.

How many players can play together?

The game supports solo play and co-op multiplayer for up to 8 players in a shared procedurally grown sandbox.