Like more than 5 million people who bought the game since it launched in February, I’ve been playing the surprise hit game Valheim. Its potent mix of Breath of the Wild and Minecraft with a viking aesthetic is shockingly polished and doesn't feel like it's missing much despite still being in early access. But it’s a struggle to survive Odin’s trials alone and much more fun to play Valheim with friends. You can do this by simply joining a friend's session, but if you don't mind spending a monthly fee on top of Valheim's $20 price, the best way to enjoy Valheim’s multiplayer is to pay for a service to host a dedicated server for you.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7k9nxg/should-you-pay-for-a-dedicated-valheim-server
