RuneScape: Dragonwilds is an ambitious open-world survival crafting game developed and published by Jagex Ltd, set in the beloved fantasy universe of RuneScape. Launched into Early Access on Steam, this standalone title shifts away from the traditional MMORPG format to offer a co-op survival experience where gathering, crafting, building, and battling dragons are at the heart of the adventure.
Blending familiar lore with survival mechanics and light RPG elements, RuneScape: Dragonwilds invites players to explore the mysterious forgotten continent of Ashenfall, uncover its secrets, and ultimately confront the fearsome Dragon Queen.
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Gameplay & Coreloop
At its core, RuneScape: Dragonwilds is about survival, progression, and exploration. Players start stranded on Ashenfall and must:
- Gather resources (wood, ore, food) to survive and craft tools and gear.
- Build bases and shelters to protect against hazards, dragon attacks, and the elements.
- Unlock and develop skills, similar to classic RuneScape progression, with crafting, combat, magic, and more.
- Explore diverse biomes, delve into ruins, and uncover lore-rich secrets.
- Combat a wide variety of creatures, culminating in deadly encounters with dragons and bosses like General Velgar.
Basically the loop of RuneScape: Dragonwilds is: gather → build → level up → explore → fight. It is accentuated by a dynamic world where magic, survival, and danger intertwine. Solo play or co-op for up to four players fosters teamwork and shared strategy, especially when facing formidable foes.
What Works Really Well
✔ Classic RuneScape Still Feels Familiar
While RuneScape: Dragonwilds introduces new mechanics, many systems — like skills, crafting, and lore — echo the essence of RuneScape, creating a nostalgic yet fresh experience for longtime fans. This is really thoughtful from the developers, their fans will be hooked into this new title easier.
✔ Deep Survival Meets RPG Progression
The blend of survival gameplay with light RPG progression — including distinct skills and magical abilities — gives players tangible growth and varied pathways for character development. We already saw many indie games followed this direction and succeed, it’s a smart move from the developers to let RuneScape: Dragonwilds follows this way.
✔ Cooperative Gameplay Enhances Fun
Playing with friends elevates the survival experience, whether building bases together or coordinating dragon hunts. This social aspect strengthens engagement, especially when the developers of RuneScape: Dragonwilds did a great work on server side.
✔ Expansive, Mystical World
Ashenfall’s biomes — from enchanted forests to cursed swamps — are rich with secrets, lore, and danger. This world-building encourages exploration and discovery.
✔ Strong Community and Early Success
Since release, with a clear roadmap, RuneScape: Dragonwilds has sold hundreds of thousands of copies and garnered ‘Very positive’ reviews on Steam, indicating a robust early reception and healthy player base.
Areas for Improvement & Considerations
⚠ Early Access Rough Edges
As an ongoing project, RuneScape: Dragonwilds still shows some unfinished or unpolished features. Systems may feel incomplete, and core loops sometimes remain in need of refinement. Players should expect changes as development progresses through 2026.
⚠ Account Login Friction
Despite being a Steam purchase, RuneScape: Dragonwilds currently requires a third-party Epic Online Services login, a design choice that has frustrated some players. This extra step feels unnecessary and out of step with expectations for a Steam title.
⚠ Balancing & Stability
Like many Early Access games, balance issues persist, particularly with survival meters, enemy difficulty, and item management. Ongoing patches refine these areas, but inconsistencies remain at times.
⚠ Learning Curve for Newcomers
The blending of survival, crafting, magic, and RPG progression might overwhelm players unfamiliar with one or more of these systems — especially when coupled with an evolving feature set.
⚠ Performance and Settings issues
Beside Positive review, there are still many reviews showed that RuneScape: Dragonwilds has some performance issues and players faced some Settings issues (like cannot turn of shaking screen, TAa, etc.). Just remember that the game is still in Early Access, your reviews are important to let the developers improve RuneScape: Dragonwilds.
Final Thoughts
RuneScape: Dragonwilds stands out as an evolution of the RuneScape franchise, taking it into bold new territory without losing its identity. Its mixture of survival, crafting, lore, and co-op action makes for a compelling Early Access experience that caters to both fans of the original MMO and players craving a rich survival world.
To us at Indie Games Tavern, though still rough around the edges — a natural part of Early Access — the game’s deep progression systems and unique setting create a solid foundation that promises even greater rewards as new content arrives. If development continues at this pace with community feedback driving improvements, RuneScape: Dragonwilds has the potential to become a standout survival title.
Who Should Play It?
✅ RuneScape fans looking for a fresh adventure in a familiar universe.
✅ Survival game enthusiasts who enjoy base building, crafting, and exploration.
✅ Co-op players who want to tackle challenges with up to three friends.
✅ Those who enjoy progression systems and skill development.
✅ Gamers excited by fantasy worlds with lore and dynamic encounters.
Who Might Wait or Skip It?
⚠ Players who prefer polished, complete games — as this is Early Access and evolving.
⚠ Those who dislike survival mechanics like hunger, crafting, and base upkeep.
⚠ Gamers frustrated by third-party account requirements.
⚠ Players who want a straightforward RPG — the blend here is complex and layered.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds Review by Indie Games Tavern.
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