A massive new RPG that seems to be inspired by the likes of Valheim and Skyrim arrives this month on Steam.
Every once in a while, an unexpected indie game arrives on Steam and takes the community by surprise and drawing some welcomed attention for budding developers.
These games might not have the deepest gameplay mechanics or the most stunning visuals, but it’s nice to see some indie games get a share of that AAA spotlight.
There could be a chance that one of these surprise success stories could arrive courtesy of a game that has vibes of Valheim and Skyrim, two legendary Norse-inspired RPGs that have garnered millions of fans across the world.
Originally released in 2011 on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most successful games of all time, which is why it’s been ported to every console generation since.
Skyrim has an epic single-player campaign, an enticing, big open world known as Tamerial, fun side-quests and tons of charming NPCs that often stand a good chance of becoming a pop culture meme.
As for Valheim, this is a multiplayer survival game that took the industry by storm in 2021 and, to this day, continues to generate high concurrent player numbers, especially on Steam. Valheim later came to Xbox in 2023, and you might be pleased to know that it’s coming to PlayStation soon.
So, what is this new RPG that has the vibes of Valheim and Skyrim, I hear you ask? That game in question is the indie title developed and published by RDBK Studios called Renown.
“In Renown, the open world is your battlefield, and only the strongest will rule. Gather resources, build sprawling castles, and lead your clan into battle against rival players,” reads the synopsis of the game.
“Whether you’re crafting siege engines to crush enemy walls, clashing swords in intense duels, or rallying your neighbours to destroy your enemies, prove your strength and become truly renowned.”
The gameplay trailer for Renown suggests that this new survival RPG should offer some fun, especially when being played with friends (which, to be fair, can be said for most multiplayer games). Nonetheless, it looks fun.
Renown doesn’t have a full release date at the time of writing, but its early access phase goes live on Steam on Monday, 22 September 2025.
Be sure to add Renown to your Steam wishlist to be notified of any updates.
This sounds like an exciting addition to the RPG genre! The blend of Valheim and Skyrim elements has great potential. Looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds!
great potential to create a unique gaming experience. I’m particularly curious about how the crafting mechanics from Valheim will interact with the open-world exploration of Skyrim. It could really enhance the gameplay!
I agree, the crafting system could really set it apart. If it offers deep customization like Valheim, it might encourage players to express their creativity even more. I’m excited to see how it balances exploration with crafting!
Absolutely, a robust crafting system can make a huge difference in player engagement. If they also incorporate a rich world-building element similar to Skyrim, it could really enhance the overall experience. I’m excited to see how they balance those aspects!
I completely agree! A robust crafting system really enhances the gameplay experience. Plus, if they incorporate dynamic weather and environmental challenges, it could add another layer of immersion, making exploration even more exciting.
I totally get what you mean! A well-developed crafting system can really immerse players in the game world. It’ll be interesting to see how this new RPG incorporates survival elements alongside its crafting mechanics, similar to how Valheim does it.
Absolutely, a strong crafting system can enhance the overall experience. It’s exciting to see how this new RPG might blend survival mechanics with rich storytelling, similar to what we loved in both Valheim and Skyrim. I can’t wait to see how they integrate these elements!
I completely agree! A robust crafting system can definitely add depth to gameplay. It’ll be interesting to see how this game balances exploration and crafting, similar to how Skyrim integrated its mechanics.