Should you start a new character and world for Valheim 1.0?

Valheim 1.0 has arrived, and with it, eager Vikings are preparing to delve into the game's final biome, the Deep North. However, before embarking on this icy adventure, players may find themselves questioning whether to create a new character and world or continue with their existing gameplay. Veteran Valheim players are aware that updates can sometimes conflict with existing worlds, as previously explored areas will not be updated with new terrain and features.

Iron Gate, the game's developers, have provided guidance on the matter. While new content will be accessible even for worlds created before the update, biome generation will only function properly in areas that have not been previously explored. Iron Gate strongly recommends starting the game anew to ensure the best possible experience.

This includes considering the new achievement system, which will begin tracking statistics from the moment you download the 1.0 version. This means that achieving an objective, such as killing Eikthyr, will require you to repeat the task even if you've already accomplished it multiple times before.

Starting a new game also offers an opportunity for surprise and storytelling. Iron Gate collaborated with Brikk Animation to create an entirely new cinematic to introduce players to the world of Valheim. While these cinematics are not essential to the gameplay, experiencing them firsthand adds to the overall enjoyment of the game.

PC Gamer, after testing Valheim 1.0, also suggests starting a new character and world. This recommendation is based on both the advice provided by Iron Gate and the reviewer's personal experience. Starting from the beginning allows for a fresh perspective and the opportunity to rediscover the game's magic. The reviewer, who had already invested numerous hours into the early access version, found that starting anew provided a more immersive experience and allowed them to appreciate the improvements made since 2021.