The genre-standard co-op builder, versus the cold-first newcomer.
The co-op loop: head out with friends, gather, come back, build something bigger. Valheim wrote that loop and Permafrost is running a colder version of it.
Valheim is cold in one biome; Permafrost is cold everywhere. Valheim is mythological; Permafrost is post-climate-collapse. Valheim carries ten players; Permafrost carries four.
Side by side
| Dimension | Permafrost | Valheim |
|---|---|---|
| Co-op size | Up to 4 players | Up to 10 players |
| Cold mechanic | The premise — every biome is cold | One biome (Mountain) has freezing |
| Setting | Post-collapse frozen Earth | Norse purgatory, procedurally generated |
| Building | Repair ruins or raise your own | Free-form structural building |
| Progression | Not disclosed | Boss-gated biome progression |
| Art direction | Painterly realism | Stylised low-poly |
| Status | Early Access from 9 Oct 2026 | Full release |
Valheim — Iron Gate AB, 2021. Permafrost — SpaceRocket Games / Toplitz Productions, Early Access 9 October 2026. Anything not yet disclosed for Permafrost is marked as such rather than guessed.
Play Valheim if…
You want a huge co-op group, deep building, and a game that is finished.
Valheim on Steam ↗Play Permafrost if…
You want a smaller squad where the environment itself is the antagonist, not the boss list.
Release date & wishlist →Verdict. Valheim is the safer buy today. Permafrost is the one to watch if the cold-first premise is what you actually want.
FAQ
Is Permafrost like Valheim? +
The co-op loop: head out with friends, gather, come back, build something bigger. Valheim wrote that loop and Permafrost is running a colder version of it.
What is the biggest difference between Permafrost and Valheim? +
Valheim is cold in one biome; Permafrost is cold everywhere. Valheim is mythological; Permafrost is post-climate-collapse. Valheim carries ten players; Permafrost carries four.
Which should I play — Permafrost or Valheim? +
You want a huge co-op group, deep building, and a game that is finished. You want a smaller squad where the environment itself is the antagonist, not the boss list.
When does Permafrost come out? +
Permafrost enters Early Access on 9 October 2026 on Steam, GOG.com and the Epic Games Store.
More comparisons
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ComparisonPermafrost vs Medieval Dynasty
The same publisher, two very different winters.
Data version 2026.09.24 · reviewed 24 September 2026.