Earlier this year, Jagex Limited gave us our first look at the gameplay for a brand new RuneScape game on the way: RuneScape Dragonwilds. At the time, we weren't sure when we'd be able to hop into the game for ourselves. Now, however, we know much more about the game and the studio's plans going forward - so let's dive into everything we know so far!

RuneScape: Dragonwilds — Gameplay, Roadmap, Price, & More

Surprise! RuneScape: Dragonwilds is available now! Yes, as of April 15, 2025, you can hop into and play RuneScape: Dragonwilds in early access for $29.99. This shadow drop was accompanied by more than an hour of developer discussion. You can watch the developer deep-dive on the studio's YouTube channel if you want to know about future plans straight from the creators' mouths.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds — Gameplay

Despite the RuneScape at the beginning of its name, RuneScape: Dragonwilds doesn't exactly play like the beloved 2001 MMO. This is a survival crafting game, and it plays much more similarly to Valheim, a game it shares many visual similarities with as well. You have both a hunger and thirst meter, which need to be carefully managed if you want to avoid death by starvation or dehydration. After you've made your character and start playing, you'll have a light tutorial that guides you through the game's basics. How to gather water, how to clean dirty water so it's safe for consumption, and how to gather wood. If you're familiar with survival crafting games, then you guessed it: you'll use wood to start some basic crafting. A campfire, a hatchet, a pickaxe, and the basics for a small bit of shelter. The more you do in RuneScape: Dragonwilds, the more your overall level will increase. Additionally, using specific actions will increase corresponding skill levels. Continuing to harvest minerals with a pickaxe, for example, will increase your pickaxe level. Similarly, cooking ingredients that you forage will give you cooking experience. When you're not gathering resources and crafting, you'll occasionally engage in combat with enemies. Combat revolves around dodging or blocking attacks, hitting enemies with your dagger, club, short bow, or the variety of spells you unlock. Keep in mind that not all spells are exclusively focused on combat. Some can be used to make resource gathering easier! Axtral Projection, for example, allows you to send a magical axe swinging through the air to assist with tree chopping. Finally, RuneScape Dragonwilds also allows you to create a highly customized home by making various housing panels. You can decorate with bits of furniture as you keep going, of course, but you'll want to focus on creating walls, a roof, a bed, and a storage chest when you get started.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds — Multiplayer

One of the best parts about RuneScape: Dragonwilds is that you can enjoy it with friends! You and your pals can try to survive in up to four-player co-op while exploring this new RuneScape world together. Before you start adventuring, however, you need to know that multiplayer comes with a condition. You cannot play in multiplayer until you've linked your Steam account to an Epic Games account. This means you must have both types of accounts if you hope to join your friends.

What do Players Think of RuneScape: Dragonwilds?

At the time of writing, RuneScape: Dragonwilds has a Steam review ranking of 'Mostly Positive.' Many players seem to be having fun with the core gameplay loop of gathering materials and building a camp for themselves. Players also seem to enjoy the game's art style. However, there are plenty who believe RuneScape: Dragonwilds has a long way to go. There are plenty of negative reviews that claim the game doesn't have enough content, that combat and building mechanics are rough around the edges, and much more. The general consensus among negative reviews seems to be that the game simply isn't finished. This is to be expected, of course, as the game is still in early access. The developers have plenty of plans for updates in the future that should, hopefully, address player concerns.

RuneScape: Dragonwilds Roadmap

As an early access release, RuneScape: Dragonwilds is promising loads of future content and updates for players to look forward to. You can view this roadmap on the game's Steam page, but we'll list the highlights here. All the content listed below is in active development.

New Region & New Dragon Overlord

• Fellhollow region filled with ghosts, skeletons, and undead ogres.
• Soul-Eater, Imaru dragon overlord.
• RuneScape character, Death, will guide and task players.

New Skills

A variety of new abilities to enhance both combat and farming endeavors.

• Magic spells
• Ranged abilities
• Farming skills

RuneScape Roots

This content is focused on preserving the sense of magical questing that RuneScape fans know and love.

• Multiple Quests
• Expanded Lore
• Additional Gear
• New Music

Much, Much, More

• New enemy type: Lesser Dragons
• New Dragon Slayer gear
• Masterwork weapons
• Expanded base/ homesteading/building defenses
• Hardcore mode
• Creative mode
• New critters/animals
• New vaults
• New crafting tiers
• Raising skill caps

In addition to focusing on new content, the developers will continue to make ongoing improvements, tweaks, and fixes to the following:

• Messaging & Tutorialization
• Combat
• Performance
• Multiplayer & Difficulty
• Lighting & Weather

That's a bunch of stuff to look forward to! Again, you and your pals can start enjoying all that RuneScape: Dragonwilds currently has to offer today! Just remember to link your Steam and Epic Games accounts before joining your pals!