RuneScape's surprise standalone survival game, Dragonwilds, launched in Early Access. Blending familiar RuneScape elements with survival mechanics, it offers a challenging co-op experience on Steam (requires Epic Games account for multiplayer).
RuneScape's Dragonwilds: A Total Surprise!
So, remember RuneScape? Yeah, *that* RuneScape. Well, Jagex, the folks behind it, totally blindsided everyone on April 15th, 2025, by dropping *Dragonwilds* into Early Access. Honestly, who saw that coming? It’s a standalone survival game – a whole different beast from the MMORPG we all know and (sometimes) love. And it’s already making waves, climbing the Steam charts faster than a dragon on a caffeine rush. For $29.99, you get to dive headfirst into this chaotic, beautiful mess.
What's the Deal with Dragonwilds?
Imagine RuneScape, but… survival mode. You’re on Ashenfall, this brutal continent, and your mission, should you choose to accept it (and you totally should), is to survive the Dragon Queen’s wrath. You can team up with up to three friends, which is a good thing, because things get hairy. Think classic RuneScape elements – skill progression, crafting, questing – but now you're also building shelters, fighting off monsters, and exploring treacherous dungeons. Plus, early access buyers get some sweet Pioneer rewards. You know, bragging rights and stuff.
Gameplay and What’s Coming Next
Right now, you can explore a handful of regions, level up your RuneScape skills, sling some survival-focused magic, and take on General Velgar, the game’s first boss dragon. He’s a tough cookie, trust me. Jagex has big plans for *Dragonwilds*, with Early Access running until early 2026. They’re adding tons of stuff: new regions (Fellhollow looks seriously creepy), more dragons (because, you know, one wasn’t enough), new skills (ranged combat, farming, more magic – yes!), new quests, deeper lore, better gear… and a whole lot of performance and balance tweaks. They're even listening to player feedback via their Discord – which is huge.
The Epic Games Twist
Okay, here’s the slightly weird part: you buy *Dragonwilds* on Steam, but you need an Epic Games account to play online. Seems strange, right? Jagex says it’s all about future cross-platform play on PlayStation and Xbox. Offline single-player is fine though, so don't worry about it too much.
Why Should YOU Play?
This isn't just another survival game. It's RuneScape’s charming world meets the heart-pounding tension of surviving against the odds. The quests and lore alone set it apart from the crowd. Early players are already raving about the satisfying axe-wielding (chopping multiple trees at once is surprisingly therapeutic) and how much smoother the grind feels compared to the main game.
Ready to Risk it All?
*Dragonwilds* is still in Early Access, but it's already showing incredible potential. It's a bold step for Jagex, and the sheer amount of content they’re promising during Early Access is pretty amazing. The blend of familiarity and fresh gameplay is genuinely exciting. Are you ready to brave Ashenfall and face the Dragon Queen? Grab it on Steam today!
FAQ
Dragonwilds is a standalone survival game from Jagex, the creators of RuneScape. It blends familiar RuneScape elements like skills and lore with challenging survival mechanics, creating a unique co-op experience.
Dragonwilds is currently available in Early Access on Steam. Multiplayer requires an Epic Games account. This is a standalone game, not an expansion to the main RuneScape game.
Dragonwilds supports both solo and co-op multiplayer gameplay. While you can play alone, the full co-op experience is recommended for a more challenging and rewarding adventure.
Dragonwilds features classic survival game elements like resource gathering, crafting, building, and managing hunger and health. Expect a challenging experience with a focus on collaboration in multiplayer.
While familiarity with RuneScape will enhance your experience, it's not required to play Dragonwilds. The game stands alone with its own storyline and mechanics, although you'll see many familiar elements incorporated.
