Key Points
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a new open-world survival crafting game set in the RuneScape universe, launching in Early Access this spring on Steam.
- It features co-op play for 1-4 players, focusing on surviving on the continent of Ashenfall against dragons, with crafting, building, and magic systems.
- The game includes traditional RuneScape skills and new ones, with community feedback shaping development from alpha testing to launch.
- An unexpected detail is its use of Unreal Engine 5, offering stunning visuals and a fresh take on the RuneScape world for both fans and new players.
What is RuneScape: Dragonwilds?
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is an exciting new game from Jagex, the creators of RuneScape and Old School RuneScape. Unlike the traditional MMORPG, it’s a survival crafting game where you explore the forgotten continent of Ashenfall, gather resources, build shelters, and craft gear to survive against dragons. The goal is to slay the Dragon Queen, either alone or with up to three friends in co-op mode. It’s built using Unreal Engine 5, which means you’ll see stunning visuals and immersive gameplay.
Setting and Gameplay
Set on Ashenfall, a land ravaged by Anima and filled with wild magic, the game offers a high-fantasy experience with ruins and dragon-infested territories. You’ll gather resources like wood and ore, craft weapons and potions, and use magic to shape the world. Co-op mode lets you team up for quests and combat, while solo play is also an option. It blends familiar RuneScape elements with survival mechanics, making it accessible yet challenging.
Release and Community
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is launching in Early Access on Steam this spring, with a full release planned for early 2026. Alpha testing started late last year, and Jagex is heavily relying on community feedback to shape the game. There’s a livestream scheduled for April 15, 2025, at 5 PM BST for a first look, and you can wishlist it on Steam for updates.
RuneScape Dragonwilds Trailer
Detailed Exploration of RuneScape: Dragonwilds
This section provides a comprehensive overview of RuneScape: Dragonwilds, a new open-world survival crafting game set within the beloved RuneScape universe, announced by Jagex. The game, launching in Early Access this spring, represents a significant expansion of the franchise into the survival genre, offering a fresh experience for both long-time fans and newcomers. Below, we delve into its setting, gameplay mechanics, key features, release details, and community expectations, ensuring a thorough understanding for players eager to embark on this adventure.
Background and Overview
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a standalone co-op survival game developed by Jagex, known for RuneScape and Old School RuneScape. Announced on March 31, 2025, it shifts from the MMORPG format to a survival crafting experience, built using Unreal Engine 5 for enhanced visuals and immersion. The game is set on Ashenfall, a forgotten continent in the RuneScape world of Gielinor, where players must survive against awakened dragons, gather resources, and ultimately slay the Dragon Queen. It supports 1-4 player co-op, making it ideal for solo adventurers or group play, and is designed to appeal to a broad audience with community-driven development.
The announcement has generated buzz, with Jagex emphasizing player feedback from alpha testing, which began late 2024, to shape the game’s evolution. This approach aligns with the franchise’s history of community engagement, promising a dynamic experience that evolves with player input.
Setting: The Continent of Ashenfall
Ashenfall is described as an uncharted, expansive continent ravaged by Anima, a transformative magical force. This high-fantasy setting features ruins of forgotten civilizations, wild landscapes, and dragon-infested territories, offering a mix of familiarity and novelty for RuneScape fans. The continent includes vast, vibrant regions, with the first few biomes available in Early Access, such as dense forests, mountains, and potentially more to be added post-launch. The landscape is rich with iconic RuneScape lore, including locations reminiscent of a wizard’s tower or castle, alongside new twists on monsters and environments.
The Anima-rich environment shapes gameplay, providing challenges like navigating dangerous terrains and opportunities to harness magic. This setting not only tests survival skills but also ties back to the broader RuneScape narrative, making Ashenfall a compelling new chapter.
Gameplay Mechanics: Survival, Crafting, and Co-op
At its core, RuneScape: Dragonwilds focuses on survival, requiring players to gather resources like wood and ore, build shelters, and craft gear to withstand the growing dragon threat. The game introduces a robust building system, allowing players to create bases and fortifications, while survival systems ensure management of hunger, health, and stamina. Specific mechanics include using a spectral axe for chopping trees and exploding ore veins, adding depth to resource gathering.
Crafting is a central mechanic, with players able to prepare potions, craft weapons, and create with new resources found in Ashenfall. Magic plays a significant role, with skill spells enabling players to shape the environment and wield runes for powerful abilities, such as turning bones into peaches for healing. The game retains traditional RuneScape skills like crafting and combat, with plans to add new skills during Early Access, ensuring progression and variety.
Co-op mode supports up to four players, allowing for collaborative quests, leveling up skills, and tackling challenging combat scenarios. Solo play is also an option, offering flexibility for different play styles. This blend of survival, crafting, and co-op gameplay positions RuneScape: Dragonwilds as a unique entry in the survival genre, bridging RuneScape’s rich lore with modern mechanics.
Key Features and Skills
RuneScape: Dragonwilds incorporates familiar RuneScape elements, such as its skill system, where players can level up traditional skills and unlock new ones planned for addition during Early Access. Skill spells add a magical twist, enhancing survival and combat capabilities. The game promises a community-driven roadmap, with plans for new quests, enemies, seasonal events, and resources post-launch, ensuring ongoing content updates.
Dungeons and Dragonkin vaults offer challenging content, while the ability to master survival through building and crafting ensures endless progression. The use of Unreal Engine 5 is particularly notable, offering stunning visuals that enhance the immersive experience, an unexpected detail for fans accustomed to the MMORPG’s style. This focus on community feedback and continuous development suggests a living world that evolves with player input, making it a dynamic adventure.
Release Information and Early Access
RuneScape: Dragonwilds is set to launch in Early Access on Steam this spring, specifically in April or May 2025, with a full release planned for early 2026. During Early Access, players can expect the first few regions of Ashenfall, including several biomes, with more content added based on community feedback. Alpha testing, which started late 2024, has already involved close community members, and Jagex has committed to listening to players throughout development.
To get involved, players can wishlist the game on the Steam page (RuneScape: Dragonwilds Steam Page) and follow official social channels for updates, including Discord (Discord), Instagram (Instagram), TikTok (TikTok), Reddit (Reddit), X (X), and YouTube (YouTube). A livestream is scheduled for April 15, 2025, at 5 PM BST, offering a first look at gameplay, accessible via the official website (RuneScape: Dragonwilds Official Website).
Community Reactions and Future Expectations
The announcement on March 31, 2025, has sparked excitement, with X posts from accounts like @Pirat_Nation (X post) highlighting the first look and community-driven development. While detailed player reactions are still emerging due to the recent announcement, expectations are high for a game that blends RuneScape’s rich lore with survival crafting mechanics. Players are eager to see how Jagex balances familiar elements with innovative gameplay, especially given the focus on community feedback.
Looking ahead, RuneScape: Dragonwilds could expand the franchise’s reach, attracting survival game enthusiasts while keeping RuneScape fans engaged. Post-launch updates are expected to introduce new biomes, skills, and challenges, making Ashenfall a living world that evolves with player input. This community-centric approach, combined with the game’s unique blend of genres, positions it as a potential landmark title in the RuneScape series.
Comparative Analysis
Compared to RuneScape and Old School RuneScape, Dragonwilds shifts focus from MMORPG progression to survival crafting, offering a more immediate, action-oriented experience. It shares similarities with other survival games like Valheim or Don’t Starve, but its RuneScape roots, including skills and lore, set it apart. The co-op element and community-driven development further distinguish it, promising a tailored experience for players.
Table: Key Game Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Game Features | Co-operative (1-4 players), survival crafting, master survival, slay Dragon Queen, community-driven |
| Setting | Ashenfall, uncharted continent, Anima-rich, high fantasy, RuneScape lore |
| Gameplay Mechanics | Gather resources, build shelters, craft gear, magic spells, co-op quests |
| Skills | RuneScape skills, new skills in Early Access, skill spells |
| Release | Early Access Spring 2025, full release early 2026 |
| Platforms | PC via Steam |
This detailed exploration ensures players have all the information needed to anticipate and prepare for RuneScape: Dragonwilds, highlighting its potential as a significant addition to the franchise.
Key Citations
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds Official Website detailed game overview
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds Steam Page game features and release info
- RuneScape News Announcing RuneScape Dragonwilds game announcement
- Open-world survival crafting game RuneScape Dragonwilds announced for PC game details
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a new survival crafting game from Jagex game insights
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds Announced as Jagex’s New Take on the Open World Survival Genre game announcement
- Announcing RuneScape: Dragonwilds game introduction for Old School fans
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds Announced With Spring Early Access Date game release info
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds Is a Co-Op Open World Survival Crafting Game Due Soon in Early Access game overview
- RuneScape: Dragonwilds Announced For Early Access This Spring game announcement
