RuneScape: Dragonwilds

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RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a single player and multiplayer survival role playing game. It was developed by Jagex Ltd and was released on April 15, 2025. It received positive reviews from players.

In RuneScape: Dragonwilds, players explore the vibrant continent of Ashenfall, uncovering ancient ruins and mastering wild, transformative magic. Prepare potions, craft gear, and level up to confront the looming threat of powerful dragons. Your journey is a battle for survival and dominance against the Dragon Queen herself.

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81%

Audience ScoreBased on 19,840 reviews

gameplay758 positive mentions

grinding902 negative mentions

The game features engaging gameplay mechanics and nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic RuneScape, providing a fun and challenging experience.
Regular content updates and a vibrant art style enhance the overall atmosphere, making the game visually appealing and immersive.
Players appreciate the unique character designs and skill progression, which evoke a sense of nostalgia and joy from the original RuneScape.

The game suffers from significant performance issues, including glitches, crashes, and poor optimization, making it frustrating for many players.
Quest content is often criticized for being shallow and lacking depth, with vague guidance that detracts from the overall experience.
Many players feel the game is a cash grab, lacking substantial content and innovation, leading to concerns about its long-term viability.

gameplay
2,378 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
61%
7%
The gameplay of "Runescape: Dragonwilds" has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its engaging mechanics and nostalgic elements from the original Runescape, while others criticize its reliance on tedious survival mechanics like hunger and thirst. The building mechanics are often highlighted as a strong point, offering flexibility and creativity, but the combat system has been described as clunky and unresponsive at times. Overall, while the game shows promise with its unique blend of survival and RPG elements, it still requires significant refinement and additional content to fully realize its potential.
- “I liked the fun and challenging gameplay.”
- “Very satisfying gameplay, regular content updates, skills and crafting are well done, combat and challenges feel good.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, the music hits all the right nostalgic notes, and building your house or fortress—whether solo or with friends—is an absolute blast.”
- “I had all the items to smelt metal but wasted hours wondering why I couldn't progress—turns out, I missed harvesting clay because the game has zero systems to introduce mechanics properly.”
- “The gameplay looks *nothing* like the video, you'll play for 30+ hours and not see any of the enemies in the promotional video.”
- “The movement is really bad feeling, and the character has some of the worst jump mechanics I've ever seen.”
story
1,470 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
76%
5%
The story aspect of "Runescape: Dragonwilds" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the nostalgic references to classic Runescape lore and characters, many feel that the current quest content is limited and lacks depth, with a main storyline that can be completed in about 15-30 hours. Players have noted that quest guidance is often vague, requiring external resources for completion, and that the overall narrative could benefit from more engaging and varied quests to enhance the gameplay experience. Overall, while the foundation is promising, there is a strong desire for more substantial story content and quest variety as the game continues to develop.
- “The storyline and quests are nicely thought out, providing a natural progression that keeps players engaged.”
- “The quests are well done and let you learn plenty of lore and locations, making exploration feel rewarding.”
- “The story is enjoyable and the quests provide a good sense of progression without forcing you to move on.”
- “There really is no story to speak of.”
- “The quests aren’t very deep or story-driven – nothing like what you’d expect from something like RuneScape.”
- “The story is very boring and generic, the controls are missing some inventory management controls, and the quests are bad.”
graphics
1,421 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many praising the vibrant art style and beautiful environments reminiscent of classic RuneScape, while others criticize the lack of optimization and limited graphical settings. Players have noted issues such as excessive bloom, blurriness, and performance drops even on high-end systems, suggesting that the game could benefit from more customizable graphics options. Overall, while the visuals are appealing, the technical execution leaves room for improvement, particularly in terms of clarity and performance.
- “The graphics are beautiful and I personally find them much better than Enshrouded.”
- “The graphics look great on epic settings, with genuinely nice visuals when everything is maxed out.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, the story is riveting, this is a work of art and I can't wait to see what comes next!”
- “The graphics are so blurry and bright with no way to remedy it.”
- “The graphics make me nauseous and have a headache because of the motion blur and the bloom; also, the graphics are just blurry and the graphics settings are horrendous and lack accessibility with prohibiting turning off bloom and motion blur.”
- “The game is clearly heavily inspired by Valheim, but with graphical and gameplay changes that make it feel more satisfying and add some of that classic RS charm.”
grinding
956 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
5%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some find it excessively tedious, particularly in resource gathering and survival mechanics like hunger and thirst management, others appreciate the balance of grinding with engaging gameplay and the introduction of magic spells that alleviate some of the more monotonous tasks. Overall, many players express a desire for additional skills, such as farming, to enhance the experience and reduce the grind.
- “I thoroughly enjoy the balance of free play with some objectives, and a crafting/zone progression that feels natural, not too grindy, and absolutely rewarding.”
- “The magic system is really nice and means there's almost no grinding required, and the little you do need to do is engaging, not a monotonous chore.”
- “The grind aspect is not tedious or super long to grind materials, and I found that it went by quickly.”
- “Farming takes forever and is endlessly interrupted by enemies, which isn't done in an immersive or fun way.”
- “This game is an incredibly grindy timesink, so if the advertised content is later in the game, you'll probably be 100-200+ hours in before you see any of it.”
- “The world is empty, the fight mechanics are boring and farming takes forever.”
optimization
753 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
59%
27%
The optimization of "Dragonwilds" has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements with recent patches and the use of DLSS or FSR, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, requiring significant adjustments to settings for playable performance. Many reviewers express hope for future updates to address these issues, but currently, the game's optimization is a major barrier to enjoyment.
- “The optimization is top-notch, no stuttering, no lag, just pure immersion.”
- “I've had almost zero performance issues, runs great, content is amazing, and they have a ton of updates with tons of new content coming, I'm excited to keep coming back to this game every few months when they release new content and I think they are listening to the community.”
- “The game is relatively pretty, and is fairly well optimized.”
- “Quit after however much time I have listed due to horrific performance, constant visual bugs, and clear 'work in progress' systems.”
- “The game is an unoptimized, poorly planned, and boring demo; I maxed my skills and completed every single quest and still felt like I had done nothing.”
- “The performance is a joke, and the game just feels bad and sloppy.”
music
427 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
57%
2%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its nostalgic ties to the original RuneScape soundtrack, while others feel it lacks variety and depth. Some describe the music as beautiful and immersive, enhancing the overall atmosphere, but there are frequent calls for more tracks and a broader selection to avoid repetitiveness. Overall, while the music is generally well-received, players express a strong desire for additional classic RuneScape tunes and more diverse compositions to enrich the gaming experience.
- “The music is also amazing, and OSRS and RS3 players will recognize some of the classic remastered tracks.”
- “The atmosphere is incredible, the music is perfect, and the gameplay is butter smooth.”
- “The soundtrack is well composed and plays music that is altered versions of the pre-existing music in the MMO.”
- “The music is too calm, so it adds to the lonely/empty feeling.”
- “The music being completely off base is probably the greatest crime.”
stability
264 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
81%
Overall, the game's stability has received mixed feedback from users. While some players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, many others highlight significant glitches, crashes, and gameplay issues, particularly in combat and building mechanics. As the game is still in early access, players are advised to expect and tolerate these bugs, with hopes for improvements in future updates.
- “I've had almost zero performance issues, runs great, content is amazing, and they have a ton of updates with tons of new content coming. I'm excited to keep coming back to this game every few months when they release new content, and I think they are listening to the community.”
- “The game so far has been stable and mostly bug-free (only bug encountered so far has been a tree flying off into the sky after being cut down).”
- “Game runs great and smooth!”
- “It's tutorials weren't helpful, the quests weren't very interesting and it was too buggy for a 2026 release date.”
- “Too buggy to enjoy really.”
- “It's unplayable, it lacks content and is full of bugs, glitches, and other poorly designed details that ruin the fun.”
monetization
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
13%
84%
The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" that exploits the RuneScape brand without delivering substantial content or value. While some users appreciate the absence of microtransactions, the overall sentiment suggests that the game feels incomplete and rushed, leading to concerns about its long-term viability and potential for future monetization strategies. Many hope for improvements but remain skeptical given the developer's history and current state of the game.
- “No microtransactions, no shenanigans.”
- “Surprisingly, for a Jagex game made after 2015, it doesn't have any microtransactions.”
- “Monetization: 10/10 - the game is currently $30 which I feel is a great price point.”
- “At the end of the day, it's actually an okay game, but it's also a blatant, unimaginative cash grab, and these companies need to be shamed for it.”
- “This game is clearly just a cash grab, and I definitely do not think it's worth $50.”
- “I really wanted to like this game, but it's literally just a cash grab from Jagex, jumping onto the survival genre with absolutely no passion whatsoever in the actual game itself.”
humor
100 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
1%
3%
The humor in the game is a mix of nostalgic references and absurdity, often drawing comparisons to the quirky charm of classic RuneScape. Players appreciate the intentionally silly dialogue, ironic item descriptions, and the comedic mishaps that arise during gameplay, such as poorly executed mechanics and unexpected enemy encounters. While some feel the humor can be hit or miss, many find it adds a lighthearted and enjoyable layer to the overall experience.
- “Every death feels earned, funny, and immediately followed by 'okay but this time I’ve got a plan.'”
- “For anyone that's played OSRS or RS3, this is a wonderfully fresh new take on the world of Gielinor and the encroaching dangers that the Dragonwilds team has crafted into an at times stressful but hilariously fun adventure.”
- “The quests have great writing, the characters are funny and compelling, and the quest objectives can be interesting.”
- “Content is so slow to be released it is not funny.”
- “This game is honestly so addicting it's not funny.”
- “This is not 'Runescape 4' as funny as that is.”
atmosphere
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
44%
4%
The atmosphere of "Runescape: Dragonwilds" is widely praised for its vibrant and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the attention to detail in the world design, sound, and music that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic Runescape while enjoying modern visuals and dynamic environmental features that create a lively and engaging setting. However, some critiques mention that it lacks the depth and immersive quality found in other titles like Valheim, suggesting a mixed reception regarding its atmospheric impact.
- “From the moment you step into the world, you can feel the care and passion poured into every detail — the atmosphere, the progression, and the sense of adventure all come together beautifully.”
- “The way fog rolls in over the ruins at dawn, the distant dragon cries echoing through the valley — it’s got atmosphere for days.”
- “The world of Dragonwilds is huge, alive, and super atmospheric.”
- “The complete lack of risk and the child's storybook atmosphere makes me think that Runescape: Dragonwilds was designed for children with special needs.”
- “Whatever nostalgia or yearning you have for Runescape, this game is not Runescape and will not satisfy it - not the lore, the gameplay, nor the atmosphere.”
- “I got no Runescape vibes at all, from the character models to the animations to the world atmosphere or the gameplay; nothing really felt like Runescape.”
replayability
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
Overall, the game's replayability is a significant concern among users, with many citing a static map and limited content as major drawbacks. While some express hope for future updates to enhance replay value through new content and features, the current state is perceived as lacking, with many players feeling that once completed, the game offers little incentive to return. Customization options and procedural generation are suggested as potential improvements to increase replayability.
- “Letting players level a dedicated dungeon skill with perks tied to dungeon crawling would add depth, replayability, and a strong reason to keep running group content.”
- “Having the ability to customize builds would add depth and replayability.”
- “With some new features and balances, and with improvements on the multiplayer and game modes or world settings, it can have replayability and different modes and difficulties, making it one of the best games in the genre.”
- “In terms of replayability, this is a static map, so that'll hurt as well.”
- “The questline is short and predictable, with little replay value, and the new monsters and skilling areas don’t offer much innovation.”
- “There is little to no new content or updates, limiting long-term replay value.”
emotional
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a range of responses, from nostalgia and joy reminiscent of classic titles like RuneScape to feelings of disappointment and frustration due to gameplay mechanics and lack of content. Players appreciate the depth of the lore and certain quests that evoke strong emotions, while others express dissatisfaction with the game's current state, feeling it lacks engaging content and emotional resonance. Overall, the emotional experience is mixed, with some moments of genuine connection overshadowed by gameplay issues.
- “Got me nostalgic, because I used to play the original RuneScape and it really made me feel joy and happiness, just the same as I did while playing in the good old days.”
- “What really stands out is the depth of the lore — the history of the dragonkin and their legacy in the region is woven masterfully into quests that are both cinematic and emotionally compelling.”
- “Where the game really shines is its writing—especially the quest 'Heartstrings.' It’s short, simple (just reading a few tablets), but it hit me emotionally in a way I wasn’t expecting.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of depth and player choice, while others appreciate the unique character designs and skill progression reminiscent of games like RuneScape. Overall, the character development aspect seems to be a significant area for improvement, as many players feel it does not meet their expectations despite the game's appealing visuals and engaging gameplay.
- “This game is so awesome... the combat is just so satisfying, and the character development is so cool.”
- “I really enjoyed the world building and character design.”
- “The skill progression and character development from Runescape is something I've always wanted to see in a survival open world game.”
- “No character development...at all.”
- “The skill progression and character development from RuneScape is something I've always wanted to see in a survival open world game.”
- “With all early access games, a huge issue is the lack of content, but even if you somehow get past that, the lack of player choice in matters of character development and skill points is a real drag.”