- Trollheim: Gnomes is a Nordic-inspired co-op survival crafting game coming to Steam for PC.
- 8-player co-op: supports solo play or online cooperation with up to seven friends.
- Dark Forest setting: explore biomes, caves, and underground networks as a tiny Sprýg gnome.
- Väsen encounters: trolls, faeries, and sirens may be friendly or hostile — not simple enemies.
- Status: Coming Soon on Steam; Early Access planned for roughly 12–18 months.
What Is Trollheim: Gnomes?
Trollheim: Gnomes is a survival crafting game set in an ancient Nordic wilderness known as the Dark Forest. You play as a tiny gnome experiencing the world at miniature scale — gathering blueberries and twigs, crafting tools from arrows to instruments, and building treetop homes while much larger creatures share the forest around you. The game is currently listed as Coming Soon on Steam, with a planned Early Access period the developers expect to run 12–18 months.
Video Highlights:
- Official announcement trailer revealed at IGN Fall Fan Fest 2026
- First look at the Dark Forest atmosphere and gnome-scale survival
- Nordic folklore creatures shown as neighbors, not just targets
The announcement trailer premiered on October 14, 2026, via IGN's Fall Fan Fest, marking the game's first public reveal.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release status | Coming Soon / Early Access planned |
| Co-op size | Up to 8 players |
| Genre | Survival crafting, co-op PvE |
| Setting | Nordic Dark Forest |
| Listed languages | English (as of October 2026) |
| Trailer | IGN Fall Fan Fest, Oct 14, 2026 |
Exact recipes, biome maps, and Väsen behavior details are still being revealed. Treat specific in-game numbers as provisional until Early Access launches — follow the Steam community hub for confirmed updates.
The Dark Forest World and Biomes
The Dark Forest is designed as a living environment rather than a combat arena. Multiple biomes present distinct environmental challenges, and the world includes cave networks and underground exploration layers that reward vertical movement and careful planning.
Forest Biomes
- Dense pine cover
- Basic resources: twigs, berries, wood
- Beginner-friendly entry zones
Caves and Underground
- Connected tunnel networks
- Rare resources
- Requires preparation
- Clear return route essential
Lakes and Hillsides
- Mossy slopes and water regions
- Distinct climate pressures
- Mid-game exploration targets
- Different creature activity
| Exploration Priority | Zone Type | Risk Level | Recommended Preparation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Starting forest area | Low | Basic tools, stored food |
| 2 | Nearby lake shores | Low–Medium | Warm gear, marked path |
| 3 | Mossy hillsides | Medium | Improved tools, group travel |
| 4 | Cave entrances | High | Torches, rope routes, full team |
As a gnome, terrain that looks trivial becomes a climb and small clearings become landmarks. Read changes in visibility, sound, and vegetation as information before committing to a path.
Survival, Crafting, and Building Loop
The core loop follows a familiar but gnome-flavored rhythm: survive the cold and hunger, gather, craft, build upward, and explore outward. Crafting spans everything from arrows to musical instruments, with multi-stage processing implied by the game's progression design.
Establish a Foothold
Pick a defensible, easy-to-reach spot near accessible resources. Build a basic shelter and storage so short trips always have a safe return point.
Gather on a Repeatable Route
Collect common materials near your start — blueberries for food, twigs and wood for crafting. Separate building supplies from survival stock and return regularly to store.
Craft Essentials
Turn raw materials into tools, weapons, arrows, and cooked food. Prioritize items that make the next gathering trip safer and faster.
Expand the Shelter
Grow from a survival hut into a stable home base — treehouses, hollow trees, and rock crevices are natural gnome architecture. Add bridges and vertical routes.
Explore Deeper
Launch short, planned expeditions into new biomes and caves, using the base as your hub. Scout first, then commit.
| Stage | Category | Player Goal | Building Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resource collection | Stock basics for survival | First shelter + storage |
| 2 | Basic crafting | Reliable tool and food supply | Functional layout |
| 3 | Shelter expansion | Efficient group workflow | Cooperative home base |
| 4 | Advanced building | Ambitious projects | Treetops, bridges, decor |
Gnome-scale building favors the vertical: treetop homes keep you away from ground-level dangers and turn height into a defensive advantage.
Väsen: Trolls, Faeries, and Sirens
The Väsen are the mysterious beings of Trollheim, drawn from Nordic folklore. Crucially, the developers frame trolls not as enemies but as neighbors — some encounters may be dangerous, others may lead to trading, appeasement, or quiet coexistence.
Trolls
- Giant, territorial neighbors
- Not simply kill targets
- Proximity and movement are warning signals
- Avoid or appease when possible
Faeries
- Folklore-inspired forest beings
- Behavior varies by context
- Possible non-combat interactions
- Observe before approaching
Sirens
- Water-linked Väsen
- Associated with lake biomes
- Situational threat level
- Keep retreat routes open
| Väsen | Disposition | Encounter Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Trolls | Neighbor, potentially dangerous | Watch territory, don't assume hostility |
| Faeries | Variable | Approach cautiously, watch reactions |
| Sirens | Situational | Careful near water, keep distance options |
The studio has emphasized treating trolls as part of the world's ecology and story rather than conventional PvE mobs — leave room for curiosity in every encounter.
Co-op Multiplayer: Surviving with Up to 8 Players
Trollheim: Gnomes supports solo play and online co-op with up to 8 players. A shared base and clear role division turn a scattered group into an efficient forest expedition team.
| Role | Responsibility | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gatherer | Materials, berries, wood routes | Newer players |
| Builder | Shelter expansion, treetop projects | Creative players |
| Scout | Mapping biomes, cave recon | Experienced players |
| Quartermaster | Storage, cooking, supply runs | Organized players |
Co-op Readiness Checklist:
- Agree on a shared base location before exploring
- Assign at least one gatherer and one builder
- Establish a group return signal and route
- Pool rare resources into shared storage
- Rotate roles as the base grows
Traveling together through unknown areas and building a single cooperative home base prevents duplicated effort and keeps rare materials flowing toward shared priorities.
FAQ
Q: When does Trollheim: Gnomes release?
The game is listed as Coming Soon on Steam with a planned Early Access phase expected to last roughly 12–18 months, though timing may shift with development progress. No firm launch date has been announced as of October 2026.
Q: Is Trollheim: Gnomes single-player or multiplayer?
Both. The Steam page supports solo play and online co-op with up to 8 players total, making it flexible for lone survivors and full friend groups alike.
Q: What are the Väsen in Trollheim: Gnomes?
Väsen are Nordic folklore beings — including trolls, faeries, and sirens — that inhabit the Dark Forest. Some may be friendly, some hostile, and the developers present them as neighbors within the world rather than simple enemies.
Q: Are there redeem codes for Trollheim: Gnomes?
No. There are no officially confirmed redemption codes at this stage. Playtest access and promotional rewards should only be trusted through the official Steam community hub and Trollheim Studios announcements.