PC Critic Reviews

Dragonwilds’ core gameplay doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it ticks all the boxes of what makes survival games so addictive while bringing fresh ideas to the table that work wonders in minimizing genre fatigue. Jagex’s roadmap promises core updates to every facet of the game, and with a foundation as solid as this, there’s every chance it could become a leader among its peers. The biggest issue, by a country mile, is an overreliance on unfun, semi-scripted events that, right now, only serve to cause frustration.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a perfectly fine entry to the survival genre as it has all the hallmarks of what makes these types of games so enjoyable. However, due to its lack of originality and some frustrating features, Dragonwilds struggles to stand amongst the greats and as a result, could easily be cast aside by fans of the genre. [Early Access Score = 70]

Although Dragonwilds isn’t a major innovator in the genre just yet, it has enough charm and potential to keep an eye on. It’s an interesting spin-off that doesn’t betray the RuneScape DNA, but rather places it in a new context. If this is the first step in a new direction for Jagex, it’s certainly a bold one. The game is still in Early Access, so the potential to develop it into something unique is definitely there. [Early Access Score = 65]

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is an ambitious spin-off that brings the charm of RuneScape to the survival genre, set in the dragon-filled, mysterious continent of Ashenfall. In early access, it offers a compelling foundation with familiar skill systems, creative base-building, and innovative magic mechanics, but stumbles with a thin story, optimization issues, and clunky inventory management. [Early Access Score = 75]

Runescape: Dragonwilds, an early access survival RPG, shows great promise, largely due to Jagex Ltd's strong commitment to community feedback and continuous development. The new Dowdun Reach update exemplifies this, offering a surprisingly expansive, vertically-designed map that integrates elements from previous areas, making it an ideal base location. However, the game struggles with depth in its crafting and combat systems. Equipment lacks meaningful statistical variety beyond basic damage or defense, and the crafting process for advanced items is overly complex and unrewarding. Combat can be frustrating due to unskippable animations, high enemy damage, and clunky player movement. [Early Access Score = 90]