There are very few titles that do Norse mythology as well as Iron Gate Studio’sValheim. From the ever-present colossal branches of Yggdrasil to appearances by Odin himself,Valheimtransports players to a world that not only celebrates Norse culture, but does so at every turn, and even delves into oft-overlooked, niche aspects of its mythology.
Valheimis not alone in its celebration of Norse mythology. In fact, it’s just one of many recent titles that fit the bill. With titles likeGod of War Ragnarok,Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, andHellblade: Senua’s Sacrificeout there, gamers have no shortage of Norse-inspired games to experience. Naturally, asValheimcontinues to expand into 2023, one place it could look for inspiration is a crossover with one of these other major titles.
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Valheim Could Offer a New Look at Beloved Franchises
There’s no question that there are already a ton of similarities betweenValheimand a title likeGod of War Ragnarok,but at their cores, the games offer entirely different experiences. They’re both populated with epic difficult boss fights, sweeping fjords, and a myriad of Norse influence, but that’s about where the comparisons stop. Their lack of similarity in terms of gameplay is what makes atitle likeGod of Warthe perfect crossover into a title likeValheim.
Valheimcould easily pluck bosses straight from theGod of Warseries, but a far more successful route may be to subtly introduce a crossover event with minor changes. For instance,Valheimfans have been calling for fashion optionssince the game’s inception, andGod of Warmay be the perfect source to draw on. From Kratos' signature base look to the late-game powerful armor sets,God of Warcould offer plenty of inspiration for armor sets and cosmetics inValheim.
Since base building is such a massive part ofValheim, that aspect may be the perfect place to focus in any potential crossover. WhileGod of Warmay not be the ideal series to draw on in terms of architecture,Valheimcould look to others likeAssassin’s Creed Valhalla. Specifically, a crossover that includedDLCs like theSiege of Pariscould be an inventive way to bring in a broader selection of building choices.
Valheim Could Benefit by Incorporating Other Franchises' Bosses
While presenting crossovers in unexpected ways could be the best route forValheim, it might be a better strategy to pull inspiration directly from boss encounters of other franchises. A title likeGod of War Ragnarokwhich is known for incredible combatand grandiose boss fights is the perfect source of inspiration for enemy encounters. As an example, a crossover could see an iconic boss like Nidhogg makes its way toValheim, and finally open up Yggdrasil to players. Alternatively, enemies like the Hateful or the Berserkers could already slot perfectly intoValheimwithin the Swamp biome given the existence of Draugr in that area.
SinceValheim’s latest Mistland updatesaim to add content to its newest biome,Valheimmay want to look for inspiration that fits the mysterious, dark feel of the Mistlands biome. A boss like Valravn fromHellblade: Senua’s Sacrificecould make the perfect addition toValheim. A boss fight focused on illusion not only opens up the pathway to exciting new abilities in Valheim but is also perfectly suited to both single-player and group experiences. There’s no reason thatValheimcan’t pull more mundane aspects for a crossover, either. Since the title remains focused on expanding its map and offering new areas to explore,Valheimcould find inspiration for common enemies, resources, and the like from other titles as well.
Valheimis available now for PC and releases Jul 02, 2025 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
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