Early Access Review - Runescape: Dragonwilds
- Jenn Tervaniemi
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
A Rough Cut for the Nostalgic Collector
Developer: Jagex
Publisher: Jagex
Available on: PC (Steam)
Review system: PC
Dragonwilds is a game that feels like it's still discovering its identity. Built with a clear reverence for old-school RuneScape, it offers familiar charm for long-time fans, but that charm fades quickly under the weight of unfinished systems and unbalanced design.
The game does have bright spots. Magic, for instance, isn’t just for combat. Gathering spells that let you extract resources faster or more efficiently are genuinely fun and hint at a deeper, more satisfying loop that could emerge with more development. However, loot tables are far from complete. You won't find gear while looting, but you will find repetitive recipes for the same cosmetic barrel items for your shelter. If you don’t love interior decorating with minimal variation, this quickly grows stale.
A paradoxical start
The starting zone doesn't help either. The most logical place to begin your journey places you directly in the path of these aggressive enemies, making early survival an uphill battle. While the developers deserve credit for pushing out a balance pass that reduced the frequency of events and improved collision logic, such as fixing dragon acid that ignored rooftops, there is still a long road ahead.
Pushing random encounters
Given the early stage of development, the overall gameplay loop also feels hollow. With friends, it might be fun to play for a few hours, or it might not, all depending on the frequency of world events you are forced to deal with. Sometimes you're left alone long enough to explore, build, or gather. Other times, it's an endless parade of roaming mobs, warbands, and an acid-spewing dragon disrupting everything.
Combat
Combat, in particular, needs a lot of work. I cannot tell you how many times enemy archers landed pixel-perfect shots with AI that is godlike, offering little to no interesting counterplay. On the melee side, enemies often retreat into a "shields up" defensive stance once damaged. This stance completely negates your attacks and is either impossible or nearly impossible to break through if you're playing solo. These mechanics turn what should be engaging encounters into frustrating slogs.
Conclusion
If you are a RuneScape collector or just want to support a promising concept, Dragonwilds might find a spot in your library. Just be prepared for it to sit unplayed for a while. For a more complete survival crafter, stick with Valheim or keep an eye on the upcoming Dune: Awakening. Right now, Dragonwilds is a nostalgic experiment wrapped in early-access ambition, but it lacks the polish and systems to keep you coming back.