- Trollheim: Gnomes gameplay combines survival, crafting, building, and exploration in a Nordic Dark Forest setting
- Play as a tiny Sprýg Gnome and experience the world at a small scale against giant inhabitants
- Supports solo play and online co-op with up to 8 players on Steam (PC)
- Väsen creatures such as trolls, faeries, and sirens are neighbors, not just enemies
- Currently Coming Soon on Steam with Early Access planned for roughly 12–18 months
What Is Trollheim: Gnomes Gameplay?
Trollheim: Gnomes is a cooperative survival crafting adventure set in an ancient Nordic wilderness known as the Dark Forest. You play as a tiny gnome gathering resources, crafting tools, building treetop shelters, and encountering folklore creatures far larger than yourself. The Steam page confirms single-player and online co-op for up to 8 players on PC.
The core gameplay loop ties together four pillars:
| Pillar | What You Do | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | Manage basic needs, endure the forest's dangers | The Dark Forest is hostile, especially at small scale |
| Gathering | Collect blueberries, twigs, wood, and minerals | Feeds every crafting and building system |
| Crafting | Make tools, arrows, cooking stations, even instruments | Progression from basic supplies to advanced gear |
| Building | Construct treehouses, bridges, and home bases | Provides safety and a hub for co-op teams |
The gnome perspective is central to Trollheim: Gnomes gameplay. Terrain that seems trivial for a normal character becomes a real obstacle, and a troll is not just a monster—it is a colossal neighbor whose territory you must read carefully.
Survival and Resource Systems
Survival in Trollheim revolves around careful resource management and environmental awareness. The official Steam description highlights gathering basics like blueberries and twigs, then transforming them into everything from arrows to musical instruments through multi-tier crafting.
The table below outlines the confirmed early-game resource categories and their primary uses:
| Resource | Where to Find | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Blueberries | Forest undergrowth | Early food and cooking ingredients |
| Twigs | Ground level near trees | Basic crafting components |
| Wood | Felled trees and branches | Building, tools, and fuel |
| Minerals and stone | Caves and rocky terrain | Advanced crafting and construction |
| Rare materials | Deeper biomes and underground networks | Late-game recipes and upgrades |
Official materials describe multiple biomes with different challenges plus cave networks. Treat unfamiliar areas as scouting destinations first: establish a return route before committing to deep exploration, and never assume every large creature is hostile—or friendly.
Väsen: Trolls, Faeries, and Forest Encounters
Väsen are the folklore-inspired beings of Trollheim, and they define the game's most distinctive gameplay twist. The developers have stated they do not treat trolls simply as enemies but as neighbors, which means encounters can involve caution, curiosity, coexistence, or combat depending on context.
Trolls
- Giant territorial neighbors
- Behavior varies; not automatic enemies
- Size creates real danger at gnome scale
Faeries
- Folklore trickster beings
- Encounters may be situational
- Observation before action is key
Sirens
- Mysterious water-linked Väsen
- Tied to lake and forest lore
- Approach with caution near water
| Väsen Type | Default Stance | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Trolls | Neutral to hostile, situational | Watch territory signals, keep distance |
| Faeries | Unpredictable | Observe behavior before interacting |
| Sirens | Unknown | Avoid unprepared water encounters |
| Other forest residents | Varies by context | Leave room for non-combat interaction |
Some Väsen may be friendly, others hostile, and some can be soothed, traded with, or even recruited according to the Steam description. Successful players treat encounters as negotiations rather than automatic fights.
Co-op Gameplay: Surviving With Up to 8 Players
Cooperative play is a major pillar of Trollheim: Gnomes. A well-organized group of up to eight gnomes progresses far faster than scattered individuals, because gathering, building, scouting, and crafting can run in parallel.
Agree on a Shared Plan
Before leaving the starting area, decide on a temporary base spot, a short exploration route, and priority materials so nobody wanders off alone.
Assign Roles
Split the team into gatherers, builders, scouts, and crafters. Rotate roles as needs change so the whole team learns each system.
Explore as a Group
Use group expeditions for unknown biomes and caves. Keep a clear route back to the shared shelter at all times.
Build One Home Base
A central treehouse or shelter gives everyone storage, crafting stations, and a planning hub for larger projects.
A shared base with organized storage prevents duplicated gathering and lost materials. Coordinate building projects so materials flow toward team priorities instead of scattered personal projects.
Beginner Roadmap and Milestones
Follow this practical opening sequence to build a stable foothold in the Dark Forest:
| Phase | Goal | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foothold | Pick a defensible, resource-adjacent spot; build a basic shelter |
| 2 | Gathering | Establish a repeatable route for berries, twigs, and wood |
| 3 | Crafting | Convert stockpiles into tools, arrows, and cooking supplies |
| 4 | Exploration | Scout nearby biomes and cave entrances in short trips |
| 5 | Expansion | Upgrade the base, divide labor, plan bigger builds |
First Week Goals:
- Establish a safe shelter with storage
- Build a reliable gathering route
- Craft your first tool upgrades
- Scout one new biome and return safely
- Set up a shared cooking area
The Dark Forest rewards patience. Map familiar paths first, mark resource locations, and treat every new clearing as a scouting stop before you commit to gathering or building there.
Development Status and FAQ
As of October 2026, Trollheim: Gnomes is listed as Coming Soon on Steam with Early Access planned for roughly 12–18 months, during which the team intends to iterate with player feedback. The official announcement trailer debuted at IGN Fall Fan Fest on October 14, 2026. Follow the Steam community hub and the official Trollheim site for playtest news.
Q: What is the core Trollheim: Gnomes gameplay loop?
The loop is gather, craft, build, explore: collect resources like blueberries and twigs, turn them into tools and supplies, expand a shelter or treehouse, and push deeper into the Dark Forest while managing encounters with Väsen.
Q: Does Trollheim: Gnomes support multiplayer?
Yes. The Steam page lists single-player and online co-op supporting up to 8 players, making shared base building and group exploration a central part of the design.
Q: Are trolls enemies in Trollheim: Gnomes?
Not necessarily. The developers describe trolls as neighbors rather than simple enemies. Väsen creatures may be friendly, hostile, or interactable depending on the situation, so observation matters as much as combat.
Q: When does Trollheim: Gnomes release?
The game is currently listed as Coming Soon on Steam for PC, with a planned Early Access period of roughly 12–18 months. No final release date has been confirmed as of October 2026.