RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a co-operative survival crafting game set in the fantasy world of Gielinor. Players explore the previously uncharted continent of Ashenfall, where dragons have awakened and wild anima magic flows through the landscape. The title blends resource gathering, base building, skill progression, and combat in a hand-crafted open world, available on PC and consoles following its full release.
Gameplay
Core loops center on gathering materials like wood and ore, crafting tools and equipment, and constructing bases for shelter and crafting stations. Magic plays a central role, with spells that assist in everyday tasks such as felling trees with spectral axes or processing resources instantly, while also serving in combat against threats. Skill systems draw from the broader RuneScape franchise, allowing players to level abilities that unlock new spells, efficiencies, and abilities as they progress.
Exploration takes players across distinct biomes filled with unique resources, enemies, and secrets. Lodestones enable fast travel between established points, and farming adds depth through seed collection, plot preparation, watering, and composting to grow crops. Combat involves timing blocks and parries, using special attacks, and wielding weapons like wands for mobile spellcasting alongside traditional melee and ranged options. Quests guide the experience toward uncovering ancient lore and confronting powerful foes.
Game Modes
The game supports solo play or online co-op for up to four players total, with difficulty scaling based on group size. Campaign mode follows the main narrative arc across Ashenfall's regions, emphasizing survival, progression, and story-driven challenges. Creative mode removes material costs, hunger, and enemy aggression to focus purely on unrestricted building and experimentation.
Additional options include a hardcore variant with tougher enemy encounters. The Scorned Wilderness raid serves as a structured endgame activity that can be attempted alone or with allies, featuring waves of enemies, survival elements, and a climactic confrontation. Cross-play connects players across supported platforms for shared worlds and sessions.
World and Progression
Ashenfall features multiple regions added over time, including areas like Fellhollow, Dowdun Reach, and Umbral Sands, each with distinct environments, resources, and threats such as Zogres, Black Knights, and the new Garou. Skill progression extends to high levels in areas like farming, fishing, agility, ranged, and magic, rewarding players with specialized spells and equipment tiers that advance through materials like adamant and runite.
Base building integrates with the world through stable structures, crafting stations, and fast-travel networks. Players craft potions, gear, and shelters while managing survival needs. The narrative builds toward major confrontations with dragons, culminating in encounters with the Dragon Queen.
Current State and Updates
Following an extended early access period that introduced core systems, new regions, skills, and quality-of-life features, the game reached full release with the Scorned Wilderness update. This patch added the raid, refined combat mechanics including improved blocking and animation options, and introduced new equipment and story conclusions. Ongoing support includes planned post-launch content such as the Luminance update.
The experience remains focused on its survival and crafting foundations while incorporating RuneScape-style RPG depth through quests and skill mastery.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player feedback on Steam shows very positive overall ratings, with strong recent review scores reflecting satisfaction with the magic integration, skill systems, and co-operative elements. Sales exceeded 1.5 million copies during early access, indicating broad interest in the formula. The game suits players who enjoy methodical resource management, base customization, and progressive skill grinding in a fantasy setting, whether tackling content solo or with a small group.
Those seeking a blend of survival tension and accessible magic-driven quality-of-life features will find the systems rewarding. Availability on multiple platforms with cross-play broadens access for different playstyles. Future updates promise additional content, supporting long-term engagement for fans of the genre and the RuneScape universe.
