Summary
- Runescape Dragonwilds is an open-world survival crafting game developed by Jagex Ltd, currently available to play in early access on Steam.
- Traditional Runescape (Runescape 3 and Old School Runescape) are both MMO games that share parts of their lore with Runescape Dragonwilds, but differ from it in terms of gameplay.
- Ultimately, what’s better to play for gamers depends on whether they prefer Runescape’s vast MMO world with fully immersive quests or dabble into the survival, building, and crafting-heavy gameplay of Dragonwilds.
Jagex is expanding the Runescape universe with their brand-new survival game, Runescape Dragonwilds. Released in early access on April 16, 2025, this new title takes the beloved franchise in an exciting new direction. But how does it compare to the original Runescape experience? Let’s explore both games to help you decide which might be right for you.
What is Runescape Dragonwilds?
Runescape Dragonwilds is a co-op survival game set in the region of Ashenfall, a land overrun by the Dragon Queen and her brood. Its core gameplay revolves around exploring the land, completing quests, and ultimately defeating the Dragon Queen. Players build bases, craft gear, and level up familiar skills to overcome challenges. The game entered Steam Early Access in Spring 2025 at $29.99.
Its MMO predecessors, Runescape 3 (RS3) and Old School Runescape (OSRS), will collectively be called Runescape in this article. Dragonwilds makes a jump from these games’ direction towards a more action-oriented adventure in the survival crafting genre. However, it shares bits of Runescape’s massive lore while focusing on the Ashenfall region. Let’s further explore the similarities and differences between Runescape and Runescape Dragonwilds and which one you should play.
How Runescape Dragonwilds Differs from Runescape
World and Multiplayer
In traditional Runescape, hundreds of players share the same world whereas Dragonwilds limits multiplayer to four players in co-op. In a way, Dragonwilds feels more focused and personal, centered on teamwork rather than the original games’ vast social aspects.
Combat System
Runescape and Runescape Dragonwilds drastically differ in terms of their combat systems. Runescape’s slow-paced Evolution of Combat (EoC) system is far from the action-oriented real-time combat Dragonwilds offers. Dragonwilds has also left the traditional combat triangle behind. Now, players can use any attack type freely, but must fight strategically with the game’s weightier and more consequential mechanics.
Survival Elements
Dragonwilds introduces survival mechanics like building and fortifying your base, inventory management, and some gear maintenance. There’s also the constant sense of tension that traditional Runescape doesn’t have. Dragonwilds enemies roam the map and may suddenly just pop up and attack, which puts more importance in survival aspects.
Skills and Progression
Both games feature skills that can be leveled up to 99, but Dragonwilds currently has fewer skills in early access. The skill perks in Dragonwilds are more immediately impactful, however. They can also unlock special abilities at certain levels rather than just improving efficiency as they often do in Runescape.
Base Building
Traditional Runescape is at least a decade older than Runescape Dragonwilds. It’s no surprise that their Player-Owned Houses and Fort Forinthry systems are more limited than Dragonwilds’ flexible base building system. Being able to build structures from the ground up with more freedom and customization is something that Dragonwilds’ early access players are thanking Jagex for.
Which Game Should You Play?
Choose Runescape If You Want:
- A true MMO experience with a large player community
- Deep lore and over 20 years of content to explore
- A massive world with hundreds of quests
- More skills and activities to master
- A game you can potentially play for thousands of hours
- A mix of subscription and free-to-play options
Choose Runescape Dragonwilds If You Want:
- A co-op experience with friends (up to 4 players)
- More action-oriented combat
- Base building and survival mechanics
- A more focused narrative about dragon hunting
- A newer game with modern graphics throughout
- A one-time purchase (currently $29.99 in Early Access)
Conclusion
While already different from Runescape, Runescape Dragonwilds is already set to embrace the survival genre even better with future updates. These include new enemies, new crafting tiers, weather systems, and creative and hard modes to enhance the experience. While they do share DNA, Runescape and Runescape Dragonwilds ultimately offer unique depths both in lore and gameplay.
The best choice depends on what you’re looking for. If you enjoy hours of grinding in a lore-rich MMO world with thousands of other players, stick with classic Runescape. If you prefer survival, building, crafting, and real-time combat in co-op, then Runescape Dragonwilds might be the perfect new adventure.
