New Open-World Game on Steam Brings Valheim Exploration to a Dark, Elden Ring-Level World

The open-world survival-crafting genre has grown so much in the last few years it feels like it's now bursting at the seams as brand-new entries are added or announced on an increasingly frequent basis. The real test, then, for these new games is bringing something new to the table that makes them worth playing more than any other title in the genre. Sometimes, that looks like unique or innovative mechanics, and other times, it's a simple but meaningful setting or tone change. For the upcoming Steam open-world game ENDALOR, it's more of the latter, as it takes the survival-crafting loop of games like Valheim and throws it into an Elden Ring-like world.

That being said, it apparently isn't just Elden Ring's world that it mimics, but also the stamina-based combat of a traditional FromSoftware game. Other open-world survival games do incorporate stamina management into their combat systems, but ENDALOR seems to be on another level by making encounters more unforgiving than what is typical for the survival-crafting genre. However, with ENDALOR currently slated to release on Steam Early Access in Q1 of this year, intrigued players will soon be given the opportunity to see for themselves just how punishing it is, and whether they can handle the effort it will take to establish a foothold in its world.

ENDALOR Looks and Plays Like if Valheim Were Trapped in Elden Ring's World

As a survival-crafting game, ENDALOR has all the essentials. Players explore its open world to scavenge resources, loot, and treasures that are then used to build up their camp with workstations and other amenities. Therein lies ENDALOR's core progression mechanic, where increasingly effective weapons, armor, and other items can be crafted to make venturing even deeper into the wilds of its world easier than before. This is largely where it echoes games like Valheim, with that familiar loop of exploration, gathering, crafting, and gradual power growth that much of the genre leans into.

ENDALOR's Features at a Glance

• HAND-CRAFTED OPEN WORLD – Vast seamless world from towering mountains and castles to dark dungeons and caves.
• DARK FANTASY THEME – Grim, mysterious medieval fantasy world with brutal environments and foes.
• STAMINA-BASED COMBAT – Unforgiving combat that rewards precise swings, dodges, and spellcasting.
• RESOURCE GATHERING – Scavenge natural resources and loot from dungeons and enemies.
• EXPLORATION AND LOOT – Unearth hidden treasures, loot ancient sites, and conquer perilous landscapes.
• BUILDING AND CRAFTING – Construct everything from humble camps to fortified strongholds plus weapons, armor, tools, and decor.
• SOLO AND CO-OP PLAY – Play alone or team up with up to four players in cooperative multiplayer.

Where ENDALOR really starts to set itself apart from other survival-crafting games is in its combat. Valheim's combat has often been described as punishing, especially early on, but not necessarily in the same way a FromSoftware game is. Mismanaging stamina can get you killed, staying well-fed is essential to survival, and trying to recover your gear after dying can be a nightmare, especially if you died in an area overwhelmed by tough enemies. However, Valheim's punishment still largely comes from its survival systems and preparation checks rather than tightly tuned stamina-duel combat. ENDALOR's combat, on the other hand, looks more like a traditional FromSoftware game in its design.

ENDALOR's Steam page puts a major emphasis on the game's combat, suggesting it plays a much larger role in the game than most survival-crafting titles are known for. Even Valheim highlights its extensive crafting mechanics and open-world exploration more than its combat, which is actually on brand for the genre. That's why ENDALOR might have an easier time making a name for itself in the progressively crowded arena it's entering, as it could at least capture the attention of Soulslike fans who are looking for something different. ENDALOR also has "mighty boss encounters" in typical Soulslike fashion, and though it doesn't claim to be a Soulslike, that characteristic, along with its demanding, stamina-based combat, makes it closer to one than a game like Valheim is.

ENDALOR's Steam page also mentions "RPG elements" that come in the form of diverse weapon and armor types, as well as attribute scaling across 5 unique attributes. There are 9 different weapon types, each one with its own strengths and weaknesses, and while it doesn't explicitly say so, it seems that these weapons will scale with the player's attributes—yet another common trait of Soulslike games. This is also another strong indication that ENDALOR's combat will be more challenging than a typical survival-crafting game, as well as something else that could work in its favor when it comes to making a name for itself.

What to Expect From ENDALOR's Early Access

• COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT – Early Access is built around player feedback influencing ENDALOR's systems, balance, and future content.
• 12–18 MONTHS PLANNED – The Early Access window is expected to last between a year and a year and a half, depending on feedback and iteration speed.
• EXPANDING WORLD CONTENT – The full release aims to deliver a larger, more diverse overworld and dungeon spaces with additional regions to explore.
• MORE GEAR AND BOSSES – New weapon types, armor, enemies, bosses, crafting resources, and regional threats are planned over time.
• CORE FEATURES COMPLETE – Early Access launches with full single-player and online co-op, five open exploration zones, 40+ enemies, and eight bosses.
• PRICE INCREASE LIKELY – The game is expected to cost more once it exits Early Access.

The full ENDALOR experience won't be launching for a while, but players will get a chance to dive into its Steam Early Access period sometime in Q1 2026, firm release date pending. A benefit of doing so will be its cost during Early Access too, which hasn't been divulged yet but is expected to be cheaper than the price of the full game. Apart from that, players will get an opportunity to offer their feedback as Diorite Games continues to develop the game during the 12-18-month period it has planned currently.

At the start of its Early Access, ENDALOR's core features will be presented as "mostly finished," with fully functioning single-player and online multiplayer modes. These core features include 5 immersive gameplay zones with seamless exploration, over 40 unique enemy types, and 8 bosses. Players will also be able to try out the game's 9 different weapon types and the scaling that seemingly comes with them across 5 attributes. Once ENDALOR's Early Access period has concluded, the full game will introduce players to a "bigger and more diverse world," with more weapons, weapon types, armor, resources, enemies, and bosses. There will also be more traders, quests, and other challenges.

Whether ENDALOR ultimately rises above the survival-crafting crowd will depend on how well it delivers on that promise of harsher combat with its familiar loop of exploration and progression. The foundations are already in place, from its stamina-driven combat and boss fights to its planned world expansion and RPG scaling systems. If Diorite Games can balance challenge with long-term depth throughout Early Access, ENDALOR may find its audience among players who enjoy building and surviving but want the challenge that comes with skill just as much as preparation.

ENDALOR launches on Steam Early Access in Q1 2026.