Adventurers, get ready! RuneScape Dragonwilds has officially launched in Steam Early Access on April 16, 2025, and it’s bringing everything you love from the RuneScape universe with an exciting new twist: open-world survival crafting. Developed by Jagex, this new spin-off invites players to explore Ashenfall, a long-forgotten continent filled with mystery, magic, and the looming threat of ancient dragons.
On the mystical lands of Ashenfall, players will find that the dragons have awakened. To survive in this perilous environment, players must gather resources, craft powerful gear, level up their skills, and uncover ancient secrets, whether they choose to go solo or team up with up to three friends in cooperative play. The ultimate goal? Slay the Dragon Queen and restore balance to a land ravaged by untamed magic.
The gameplay mechanics of RuneScape Dragonwilds are designed to immerse players in a vibrant and dynamic world. Players can create gear, weapons, potions, and base camps, all while leveling up their skills in a classic RuneScape-style progression system adapted for survival. The environment of Ashenfall is alive with transformative power, allowing players to snap their fingers to explode ore veins or conjure spectral axes to fell entire lines of trees.
In addition to crafting and building, players will encounter legendary creatures, including iconic characters from the RuneScape series and brand-new enemies. The Early Access roadmap promises exciting new regions, such as Fellhollow—a realm between life and death ruled by a dragon overlord—along with new quests, NPCs, music, gear, modes, and much more.
Jagex has confirmed that RuneScape Dragonwilds will be available as a one-time purchase on Steam, with the current early access price set at $29.99 / £24.99. However, the price is expected to increase when the game officially launches in early 2026. Players have been eagerly awaiting this release, which was initially revealed during a deep-dive livestream on Twitch.
The early access build includes the first batch of regions, a building system, survival mechanics, and dungeons to explore. Players can also expect to take on General Velgar, the first dragon unleashed in Ashenfall. Jagex plans to use the early access period to gather feedback from the community, promising to release updates that add more content for free throughout this phase.
As players dive into the world of RuneScape Dragonwilds, they will find themselves in a survival game that emphasizes crafting elements. The goal remains to defeat the Dragon Queen, but players must first contend with the rest of her dragon army. The full version of the game is projected to feature two regions, each with five unique biomes, enhancing the exploration experience.
Players will have the option to choose from three standard class archetypes: knight, archer, and mage. Each class comes equipped with unique skills and abilities that will aid them in combat and exploration. The Steam page mentions ‘skill spells’—magical abilities that assist players outside of combat—adding another layer of strategy to gameplay. Quests will also play a significant role, with plenty of NPCs scattered throughout Ashenfall.
Exploring the vast map may initially take some time on foot, but players can unlock fast travel after a few hours of gameplay, allowing for quicker navigation across the world. This feature will be particularly useful as players seek to engage with various quests and challenges.
Early reviews of RuneScape Dragonwilds have been generally positive, with the game receiving a “Mostly Positive” rating on Steam shortly after launch. Players have expressed excitement about the improved pacing and the fun of building and customizing houses, as well as engaging in real-time combat reminiscent of Soulslike games.
However, not all feedback has been glowing. Some players have raised concerns regarding performance and the game’s early access state. Yet, many remain optimistic, noting that these issues can be resolved before the console release. Jagex has indicated that an Xbox release is expected, likely in 2026, and they have plans for console versions, which could include platforms like Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and potentially even the Nintendo Switch 2.
As the community eagerly awaits further updates and enhancements, RuneScape Dragonwilds promises to deliver an engaging survival experience that builds on the beloved elements of the RuneScape franchise. With its combination of crafting, combat, and cooperative gameplay, it aims to attract both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
In summary, RuneScape Dragonwilds has officially launched in early access, inviting players to embark on a thrilling adventure in Ashenfall. With its focus on survival crafting, engaging gameplay mechanics, and a roadmap for future updates, the game is set to evolve based on community feedback. As players prepare to take on dragons, gather resources, and uncover the mysteries of Ashenfall, the excitement surrounding this new installment in the RuneScape universe continues to grow.
