A new co-op PvE survival game, Trollheim: Gnomes, challenges players to establish a new home as Sprýg Gnomes driven from Midgård by Oden. The game focuses on survival mechanics such as managing cold and hunger, exploring a dense forest, and building a home. However, a key feature is the interaction with the forest's inhabitants, known as väsen, which include faeries, sirens, and trolls.
Unlike the trolls found in other survival games, the väsen in Trollheim are not presented as simple enemies to be defeated for loot. Game director Jojje Dalunde stated that these NPCs are viewed as 'neighbors.' Players can choose to act as a good neighbor or a bad one, with the väsen reacting accordingly to these interactions. While initial presentations show trolls acting defensively towards gnomes who venture too close, throwing objects and making threatening gestures, Dalunde emphasized that this behavior might stem from the gnomes intruding on their territory.
The game offers players the choice to attack väsen or attempt to befriend them. For those who inadvertently or intentionally cross their neighbors, Dalunde noted that there are in-game mechanics for making amends and finding common ground. The game also features unique base-building elements where tiny gnomes can construct homes within the towering trees, connected by ziplines. Due to their small size, players will use gliders made from leaves or feathers for traversal.
Trollheim: Gnomes is slated for an early access release later this year. The game's approach to NPC interaction, particularly with creatures typically considered hostile, aims to offer a different dynamic within the survival genre.