Valhalla Hills: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

“Valhalla Hills” is a unique strategy game developed by Funatics Software and published by Daedalic Entertainment. Released on December 2, 2015, the game combines elements of city-building, resource management, and survival, drawing inspiration from classic games like “The Settlers” and “Cultures.” In “Valhalla Hills,” players are tasked with leading a group of Vikings through various terrains, building settlements, managing resources, and ultimately guiding their people to the portals that will take them to Valhalla. This comprehensive guide will cover all aspects of “Valhalla Hills,” including gameplay mechanics, strategies, tips for success, and an in-depth look at the game’s features.

Overview of Key Features

“Valhalla Hills” offers several key features that enhance the gameplay experience and provide depth and complexity:

1. Dynamic World Generation: Each game map is procedurally generated, ensuring a unique experience every time.
2. Resource Management: Gather and manage resources to build and sustain your settlement.
3. Building and Infrastructure: Construct various buildings to support your Vikings and expand your settlement.
4. Survival Elements: Ensure the survival of your Vikings by providing food, shelter, and protection from enemies.
5. Quest for Valhalla: Guide your Vikings to the portal on each map to advance to the next level and ultimately reach Valhalla.
6. Multiple Terrains and Environments: Navigate different terrains, including forests, mountains, and deserts, each with its own challenges and resources.
7. Viking Specialization: Assign roles and specializations to your Vikings to optimize efficiency and productivity.

Gameplay Mechanics

Starting a New Game

When starting a new game in “Valhalla Hills,” players can choose from various difficulty levels and game modes. The procedurally generated maps ensure that each playthrough is unique, with different challenges and opportunities.

1. Choosing Difficulty:
   • Easy: Suitable for beginners, with more abundant resources and fewer enemies.
   • Normal: A balanced challenge for experienced players.
   • Hard: For those seeking a tougher experience with scarce resources and more frequent enemy attacks.
2. Game Modes:
   • Campaign Mode: Progress through a series of increasingly difficult maps, guiding your Vikings towards Valhalla.
   • Sandbox Mode: A more relaxed experience, allowing players to build and explore without the pressure of advancing levels.

Gathering and Managing Resources

Resource management is a critical aspect of “Valhalla Hills.” Players must gather various resources to build structures, craft items, and sustain their Vikings.

1. Basic Resources:
   • Wood: Gathered from trees, used for building and crafting.
   • Stone: Mined from rocks, essential for construction.
   • Food: Collected from farms, fishing, and hunting, necessary for Viking survival.
2. Advanced Resources:
   • Iron: Mined and smelted, used for advanced buildings and weapons.
   • Gold: Mined and traded, used for special items and trade.
   • Wool and Leather: Obtained from animals, used for clothing and crafting.
3. Resource Management Tips:
   • Prioritize gathering essential resources early to ensure a stable foundation for your settlement.
   • Balance the production and consumption of resources to avoid shortages.
   • Use storage buildings to stockpile resources and maintain a steady supply.

Building and Infrastructure

Constructing buildings and infrastructure is essential for expanding your settlement and supporting your Vikings.

1. Types of Buildings:
   • Houses: Provide shelter for your Vikings.
   • Workshops: Used for crafting tools and weapons.
   • Farms and Mills: Produce food and other agricultural products.
   • Mines and Smelters: Extract and process minerals and metals.
   • Storage Buildings: Store resources and items.
   • Defensive Structures: Protect your settlement from enemies.
2. Building Placement:
   • Place buildings strategically to optimize resource gathering and production.
   • Ensure that essential buildings, like houses and food production facilities, are easily accessible to your Vikings.
3. Upgrading Buildings:
   • Upgrade buildings to increase their efficiency and capacity.
   • Invest in advanced buildings as your settlement grows to support a larger population.

Viking Specialization and Roles

Assigning roles and specializations to your Vikings is crucial for optimizing productivity and efficiency.

1. Specializations:
   • Builders: Construct and upgrade buildings.
   • Farmers: Grow crops and raise livestock.
   • Miners: Extract minerals and metals.
   • Craftsmen: Craft tools, weapons, and other items.
   • Warriors: Defend the settlement and fight enemies.
2. Assigning Roles:
   • Assess the needs of your settlement and assign Vikings to roles accordingly.
   • Ensure a balanced distribution of roles to maintain a steady flow of resources and production.

Survival and Defense

Ensuring the survival of your Vikings involves providing food, shelter, and protection from enemies.

1. Food Production:
   • Establish farms, fishing docks, and hunting lodges to produce a steady supply of food.
   • Monitor food consumption and adjust production to avoid shortages.
2. Shelter and Comfort:
   • Build enough houses to accommodate your Vikings and upgrade them for better comfort.
   • Provide amenities like wells and fire pits to improve Viking happiness and productivity.
3. Defense and Security:
   • Construct defensive structures like watchtowers and walls to protect your settlement.
   • Train warriors and equip them with weapons to fend off enemy attacks.
   • Be vigilant for enemy raids and prepare your defenses accordingly.

Advancing to Valhalla

The ultimate goal in “Valhalla Hills” is to guide your Vikings to the portals that lead to Valhalla. Each map has a portal that must be activated to progress to the next level.

1. Finding the Portal:
   • Explore the map to locate the portal, which is usually guarded by enemies or obstacles.
   • Clear the surrounding area and prepare for any challenges.
2. Activating the Portal:
   • Gather the required resources and fulfill any conditions to activate the portal.
   • Protect the portal from enemy attacks while it activates.
3. Advancing Levels:
   • Once the portal is activated, guide your Vikings through to the next level.
   • Each new level presents more difficult challenges and opportunities for growth.

Strategies and Tips for Success

Early Game Strategies

1. Resource Prioritization:
   • Focus on gathering essential resources like wood, stone, and food early on.
   • Build basic structures to support resource production and Viking needs.
2. Exploration:
   • Scout the map to locate resource nodes, enemies, and the portal.
   • Clear small areas and establish a secure base before expanding further.
3. Balanced Growth:
   • Balance your settlement’s growth with resource production and Viking needs.
   • Avoid overextending and ensure a steady supply of food and materials.

Mid-Game Strategies

1. Infrastructure Development:
   • Expand your settlement with advanced buildings and infrastructure.
   • Upgrade existing structures to increase efficiency and capacity.
2. Viking Specialization:
   • Assign specialized roles to your Vikings to optimize productivity.
   • Train and equip warriors to defend against increasing enemy threats.
3. Resource Management:
   • Maintain a balanced production of resources and manage storage effectively.
   • Trade surplus resources for items you need or to gain strategic advantages.

Late-Game Strategies

1. Defensive Preparation:
   • Strengthen your defenses with advanced structures and trained warriors.
   • Be prepared for larger and more frequent enemy attacks.
2. Portal Activation:
   • Focus on gathering the necessary resources to activate the portal.
   • Protect the portal area and ensure a safe passage for your Vikings.
3. Long-Term Planning:
   • Plan your settlement’s layout and resource production for long-term sustainability.
   • Prepare for increasingly difficult challenges as you advance through levels.

Detailed Look at Game Features

Dynamic World Generation

Each map in “Valhalla Hills” is procedurally generated, ensuring a unique experience with every playthrough. The diverse terrains and environments provide different challenges and opportunities for resource gathering, building, and survival.

1. Terrains and Environments:
   • Forests: Abundant in wood and wildlife, but with dense vegetation and potential for ambushes.
   • Mountains: Rich in minerals and metals, but difficult to navigate and build on.
   • Deserts: Scarce in resources but with unique opportunities for trade and exploration.
2. Map Features:
   • Rivers and Lakes: Provide water and fishing opportunities but can be obstacles to expansion.
   • Caves and Mines: Rich in minerals but often guarded by enemies or difficult to access.
   • Ruins and Ancient Sites: Offer unique resources and artifacts but come with challenges and risks.

Advanced Building and Infrastructure

“Valhalla Hills” offers a variety of buildings and infrastructure options to support your settlement’s growth and Viking needs.

1. Basic Buildings:
   • Houses: Provide shelter for Vikings, with upgrades for better comfort and capacity.
   • Farms and Mills: Produce food and agricultural products, essential for survival.
2. Advanced Buildings:
   • Workshops: Craft tools, weapons, and other items, with specialization options for different crafts.
   • Mines and Smelters: Extract and process minerals and metals, crucial for advanced construction and defense.
3. Defensive Structures:
   • Watchtowers: Provide early warning and protection against enemy attacks.
   • Walls and Fortifications: Defend your settlement from larger threats and invasions.

Viking Specialization and Training

Assigning roles and specializations to your Vikings is essential for optimizing productivity and ensuring the survival of your settlement.

1. Specialization Options:
   • Builders: Focus on construction and infrastructure development.
   • Farmers: Manage food production and agricultural activities.
   • Miners and Craftsmen: Extract resources and craft essential items.
   • Warriors: Train and equip for defense and combat.
2. Training and Equipment:
   • Training Facilities: Build training grounds to improve the skills and effectiveness of your Vikings.
   • Equipment Production: Craft weapons, tools, and armor to enhance Viking performance and defense capabilities.

Survival and Defense Mechanisms

Ensuring the survival of your Vikings involves managing food, shelter, and protection from enemies and environmental threats.

1. Food Production and Management:
   • Establish diverse food sources, including farms, fishing docks, and hunting lodges.
   • Monitor food consumption and adjust production to prevent shortages and starvation.
2. Shelter and Comfort:
   • Build and upgrade houses to provide adequate shelter for all Vikings.
   • Enhance comfort and happiness with amenities like wells, fire pits, and decorations.
3. Defense and Security:
   • Construct defensive structures and train warriors to protect against enemy raids.
   • Use strategic placement and tactics to maximize the effectiveness of your defenses.

Conclusion

“Valhalla Hills” offers a rich and engaging gameplay experience, combining elements of city-building, resource management, and survival. With its dynamic world generation, diverse terrains, and intricate gameplay mechanics, the game provides endless opportunities for strategic planning, exploration, and Viking adventure. Whether you are a seasoned strategy gamer or a newcomer to the genre, “Valhalla Hills” offers a challenging and rewarding experience as you guide your Vikings towards their ultimate goal of reaching Valhalla. Dive into the world of “Valhalla Hills” and discover the many challenges and triumphs that await you in this unique and captivating game.