A lot of popular survival games lately have launched as ‘Early Access’ titles. This lets developers improve the game based on what players think, but it can also be frustrating. Often, these games are initially only available on PC, leaving console players feeling left out. That’s what happened with Valheim, which first came out on Steam in 2021. It eventually made its way to Xbox Game Pass in 2023, and now, PlayStation 5 players will finally be able to play it too.
Valheim has consistently received positive feedback during its time in Early Access, earning over 251,000 reviews on Steam. Its unique blend of Viking themes and survival gameplay has resonated with players, providing a compelling open-world experience focused on crafting and exploration. However, those of us without powerful PCs have been eagerly awaiting the game’s release on PS5. Now, we finally have a date – 2026 – and many believe this launch could coincide with the official, full release of version 1.0.
Despite Its 5-Year Journey, Valheim is Early Access Done Right
Early Access games – titles released before they’re fully finished – have become increasingly popular, and players have mixed feelings about them. Developers now have the tools to easily update games, so many are choosing to release them early. The idea is that developers get valuable feedback to make the game better, and players get a sneak peek and can help influence how the game turns out. However, not all Early Access games actually succeed in the end.
Early Access games on EA (Electronic Arts) can be risky, as some are unfinished or even cancelled before a final version is released. However, Valheim demonstrates how Early Access can be successful. Launched in 2021 for $19.99, Valheim quickly gained a large player base. This unexpected popularity led the developers to prioritize fixing bugs and improving stability over adding new features, marking a significant shift in their plans.
The success of Early Access comes from being able to quickly respond to what players want. Over time, Valheim has consistently improved and added new content based on feedback from its large Early Access community. This has helped the developers, Iron Gate, polish the game and create exciting features that survival fans will enjoy when the full version, 1.0, releases. Maintaining positive reviews on Steam for so long is a significant achievement, and Valheim clearly continues to offer a unique experience for players. Soon, players on PS5 will also get to join the adventure.
Valheim Hits PS5 in 2026, and That Could Well Mean 1.0 Is Near
In September 2025, the popular survival game Valheim announced it will be released on PlayStation 5 in 2026. Players on PC and Xbox will also be able to play with those on PS5, thanks to full crossplay support. While a specific release date hasn’t been announced, fans are excited and predict even more big updates for Valheim this year.
It’s been a while since the developers of Valheim, Iron Gate, shared an update – the last one was in November 2025. Back then, the game had just received its major ‘Call to Arms’ update. Now, the team is focused on finishing the ‘Deep North,’ which will be the game’s final biome. The game’s updated Early Access description also suggests they’re working on the last remaining pieces needed to consider the game fully released as version 1.0. Many fans believe this means the game will launch on PS5 this year alongside the official 1.0 release.
Iron Gate hasn’t officially said when Valheim will reach its full version 1.0, though 2026 is the current expectation. Releasing a game on PlayStation in Early Access is unusual, especially compared to PC and Xbox, which have programs like Game Pass for previewing games. This suggests Valheim will be quite polished by the time it launches on PS5 later this year. Even if it’s not completely finished, PlayStation players will soon be able to enjoy what many consider one of the best survival games released recently.
We can probably expect news about the next big update for Valheim, including when it will officially come to PlayStation 5, in the next few months. The developers at Iron Gate usually release updates on their progress around once a month, so a new one should be coming soon.
As a huge fan, I’m so hyped that Valheim is finally coming to PS5 this year! I can’t wait to play it, and I’m heading over to the ComicBook Forum right now to chat about it with everyone else – come join the discussion!
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2026-01-21 00:13