When a new Runescape game launches unexpectedly, it turns heads—and Runescape: Dragonwilds is no exception. Released suddenly on April 15, this early-access title diverges sharply from the MMO roots of its predecessor. Instead, it leans heavily into survival crafting gameplay, pulling inspiration other hit games. It’s not just a genre shift; it’s a reimagining. While still missing major features, there’s a strong foundation here that could develop into something exceptional.
Discovering the Dragonwilds: World Design and Exploration
Set in a brand-new continent known as the Dragonwilds, the game delivers a handcrafted world filled with secrets and scenic charm. Unlike other titles that rely on procedural generation, Runescape: Dragonwilds offers intentional, hand-placed environments. This makes exploration more rewarding, even if the current map is relatively small. Over time, more areas will be added—but for now, the sense of discovery is strong. From curious dungeons to hidden crafting resources, the game encourages a steady loop of base expansion and adventure.
Innovative Magic System That Powers Your Progress
Perhaps the biggest highlight of the game is its magic system. Unlike traditional combat-focused mechanics, the spells here enhance survival. You’ll unlock abilities like magic axes for chopping multiple trees, explosive spells for mining, and even teleportation enhancements. This system is not only functional but fun—casting spells feels great and fits naturally into the game’s resource-gathering and base-building loops. It’s one of the most original mechanics we’ve seen in the survival genre in recent years.
Base Building and Crafting: Strengths and Setbacks
Building your base is intuitive thanks to a smart snap-to-grid layout and an innovative blueprint mode. You can even use a camera spell to freely pan during construction, a surprisingly rare but welcome addition. However, the crafting system has issues. There are far too many specialized crafting stations, and the inventory management system is severely lacking. Item stacks are limited, and storage feels outdated. You can’t build directly from storage or label chests, which quickly turns organizing your base into a frustrating chore.
Combat, Enemies, and World Threats
Combat in Dragonwilds is simple but satisfying. While you won’t find high-combo mechanics, melee and magic strike a good balance. The real danger comes from environmental threats like monster invasions and dragon attacks. These events keep players on edge but may need tuning—poison rain from dragons can damage players even under shelter. Additionally, survival systems like hunger and thirst feel overtuned, pulling attention away from the more enjoyable aspects like exploration and dungeon crawling.
Early Access Warnings and Future Potential
This is very much a “real” early access game. Systems like archery are not yet implemented, and the main quest currently stops after the first major dragon fight. Still, the game offers around 15–20 hours of content, and it’s remarkably stable for its development stage. No game-breaking bugs, no crashes—just a lot of potential waiting to be shaped. If the developers continue engaging with community feedback, this could become a standout title in the crowded survival crafting space.
Final Verdict: Worth Playing in Early Access?
Runescape: Dragonwilds may not feel like a traditional Runescape game, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s closer in spirit to Enshrouded—a survival crafting title with dragons and magic systems that actually matter. While the game currently has its flaws (especially in crafting and storage), its strengths far outweigh them. If you’re into exploration-based survival games with creative building mechanics and fantasy elements, this is one early-access experience that’s already worth checking out.
