Reviewed on:
PC
Platform:
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Publisher:
Jagex
Developer:
Jagex Games Studios
Release:
Rating:
Teen
RuneScape: Dragonwilds strikes a respectable balance between a fantasy RPG and survival crafting game. The variety of environments and hidden lore for those who want it give depth to an otherwise nondescript setting and offer many hours of content for those who can tolerate its crafting system. But, without having an attachment to the RuneScape series, or a love for chopping wood or mining ore, it’s difficult to enjoy past the opening chapter. Though there is fun to be had, I wish certain parts of it didn’t feel as tedious or locked behind a grind for materials.
Dragonwilds expands the RuneScape world and brings back familiar faces to ground players in the dragon-infested continent of Ashenfall. It revolves around the history of Ashenfall’s early settlers and the takedown of Dragon Queen Kuldra, told indirectly through glowing blue books and side quests. Those stories of grief and greed are interesting, but mostly a backdrop for common tasks like plundering temples and stabbing rats.
Most activities tie back to the crafting system, whether that’s foraging for food or smithing swords. You can build tools, weapons, armor, jewelry, furniture, structures, and more. Dragonwilds lets you spend as much time as you want farming materials, though some, like ores, are more necessary than others. Magic spells can speed up some of the monotony, but that also requires leveling up your skills enough to learn those spells.
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