A New Perspective on Survival
Surviving in a vast, dense forest is daunting enough, but the challenge becomes even more intense when you are only three inches tall. In the upcoming co-op PvE survival title Trollheim: Gnomes, players take on the role of a tiny Sprýg Gnome forced to find a new sanctuary after being driven from Midgård by Oden.
While the core gameplay involves familiar survival mechanics—such as foraging for food, managing hunger and cold, and constructing shelters—the game introduces a fascinating twist regarding the creatures that inhabit the woods, referred to by the developers as väsen.
The Väsen: Neighbors, Not Just Enemies
The forest is populated by entities like sirens, faeries, and the formidable trolls. Unlike many other survival games where such creatures are simply obstacles meant to be defeated for loot, Trollheim: Gnomes treats them as fellow inhabitants of the forest.
«When we talk about our NPCs, we don't talk about them as enemies, but rather as neighbors,» explained Jojje Dalunde, game director at Off-leash Interactive. «Because that's really what they are, and as you know, you can have good neighbors and you can have bad neighbors. In this game, you as a player get to choose if you are going to be a good neighbor or a bad neighbor. And the väsen in this world will react to how you interact with them and how you behave.»
Choice and Consequence
While the trolls in the game may initially appear aggressive—yelling, throwing objects, or brandishing fists when approached—their behavior is presented as a reaction to your presence in their territory. Players are free to choose the path of conflict, but the game encourages exploring the social dynamics of this world. Interestingly, even if you do start off on the wrong foot, the relationship is not set in stone.
«There are ways to befriend väsen that you may have crossed,» Dalunde noted. «So if you were a bad neighbor, there are ways to make amends for it and find common ground.»
Vertical Gameplay and Exploration
The game also features an impressive building system. Given their size, gnomes can scale massive trees, constructing intricate homes among the branches and connecting them via ziplines. Players can even traverse the environment using creative gliding tools fashioned from leaves or feathers. Trollheim: Gnomes is currently slated to enter early access later this year.