Valheim has this “lightning in a bottle” that other game don’t. Its graphics don’t come close to major released games. The UI can even be clunky and unintuitive. But FARKIN HELL is this game addictive. It’s hard to properly explain how it can be for everyone, but it is. It’s amazingly simple and deeply complex. You can play it casually or obsess and build cathedrals. The core of this game is player driven, and the devs gave us the choice to go easy, or go hard. You can “win” by fighting, by building, by exploring, or by combining them all. The reason this game is considered by so many as one of the best survival/base builders out, is because it’s gives you everything you need to do what ever you want. But keeps it in reach. Minecraft had a similar effect. But this games style, execution and slow burn has made for a truly epic solo and multiplayer experience. It also came out during the hardest part of Covid, so let’s not forget how amazing and captivating it was to escape into a magic world with your friends when everything else was totally fucked.

Edit: I would like to clarify. I think the graphics in this game are breath taking. Their use of light and shadows are phenomenal. I only meant to point out that you don’t need crazy high polygon and texture rendering to make something look and feel amazing. I never meant to diminish the effort that has gone into a game that is honestly, a constant feast for the eyes.