gegebase
← RuneScape: Dragonwilds

RuneScape: Dragonwilds

article

RuneScape: Dragonwilds

RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a survival crafting game set in the RuneScape universe, developed by Jagex and powered by Unreal Engine 5. The game takes place during the Sixth Age after the quest Aftermath, where the edicts of Guthix have been reinstated by the World Guardian, banishing the gods from Gielinor. Players are spawned on Ashenfall, a forgotten continent where dragons have awoken. It is currently available in early access on Steam, having launched in Spring 2025. In addition, RuneScape: Dragonwilds is scheduled to be on the Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, Steam, Epic Games Store, and on the Jagex Launcher.

Gameplay

In Dragonwilds, players gather, build, skill, and craft to survive in this co-operative (1-4 player) survival experience. The game blends high fantasy, survival gameplay, and light RPG elements with iconic RuneScape lore. As an adventurer who has journeyed to this new frontier, players must:

  • Gather resources to craft weapons, armor, and supplies
  • Set a home base, manage hunger, food, and fatigue
  • Hunt and fight various creatures, from simple wildlife to powerful Dragons
  • Explore ruins and ancient dragonkin vaults for valuable loot
  • Develop skills similar to those in the main RuneScape game
  • Complete quests that reveal the mysteries of Ashenfall's history

The game features ranged, magic, and melee combat styles. A unique aspect of gameplay is the transformative magic system that allows players to harness the power of anima to reshape their experience. Players can summon spectral axes to fell trees instantly or channel nature's energy to repair broken armor/equipment, providing countless ways to interact with the world.

Players will encounter numerous enemies throughout their journey, including:

  • Goblins - Former followers of Bandos who now serve the dragon Velgar
  • Garou - Wolf-like warriors with their own culture and hierarchy
  • Dire wolves and other wildlife affected by Ashenfall's magical energies
  • Vault guardians - Powerful constructs created by the dragonkin to protect their secrets
  • Dragons - The most dangerous threats on the continent, led by the fearsome Dragon Queen, Kuldra

The game features a unique progression system to unlock new spells, crafting recipes, and abilities as players level up their skills, which happens at a relatively quick pace in the early game.

Setting

The game is set in Ashenfall, a continent that has remained hidden since time immemorial and features diverse regions:

  • Temple Woods - The starting area featuring a Saradominist temple that serves as the expedition's base
  • Bramblemead Valley - Once a bustling hub of human activity, now overrun with monsters and bandits
  • Whispering Swamp - A treacherous wetland filled with valuable crafting materials
  • Bloodblight Swamp - A toxic wasteland cursed by dragon's blood
  • Fractured Plains - A region where the magical "anima twist" effect causes plants to take on the hues of dragonfire
  • Stormtouched Highlands - A region plagued by perpetual storms and littered with ancient wyrm bones

The land is infused with powerful magical energies (anima) that transform local flora and fauna, creating unique environments and challenges. This "Anima Twist" has created strange variations of familiar creatures and plants, making Ashenfall unlike any other region in the RuneScape world.

Story

The player joins an expedition team that has been stranded on the newly discovered continent. The team includes familiar characters from RuneScape:

  • Vannaka - The renowned Slayer Master with mysterious ties to Ashenfall
  • Zanik - The cave goblin hero searching for a lost goblin tribe
  • Wise Old Man (Dionysius) - A former legendary adventurer known for his powerful magic
  • Doric - The skilled dwarf craftsman

Together, they must navigate the dangers of Ashenfall, explore dragonkin vaults, and uncover the mysteries of the continent. The main storyline focuses on ending the threat posed by the dragon general Velgar and his queen, Kuldra.

Throughout the game, players will discover journals, notes, and other lore objects that reveal the complex history of Ashenfall, including:

  • The arrival of Guthix and his discovery of runes
  • The conflict between Saradominist settlers and Guthixian druids
  • The war between humans and garou, and Bandos' involvement
  • The rise of dragons under Queen Kuldra
  • The mysterious activities of the dragonkin who once inhabited the continent

As described by Jagex: "Only by mastering survival and uncovering ancient secrets can you hope to slay the Dragon Queen—alone or with allies."

Development

RuneScape: Dragonwilds was developed by a team at Jagex that includes industry veterans focused on creating a game that fits naturally within the RuneScape franchise. The game uses Unreal Engine 5 to create a stunning, hand-crafted landscape.

CEO Jon Bellamy described it as "an entirely new RuneScape experience set within the iconic world of Gielinor, and is a game which is worthy of wearing the RuneScape name."

Development started in 2022, including closed Alpha Tests with community members later on in 2024, and with Jagex emphasizing that player feedback would guide the game throughout its Early Access period. The game was officially announced on 31 March 2025, with its Early Access release following in Spring 2025.

The development roadmap includes plans for a new biome, additional dragon fights, and more skills to develop.

Trivia

  • In a Q&A, Mod Rook stated that one of the earliest development pitches for RuneScape: Dragonwilds proposed setting the game entirely within the Abyss. The idea was ultimately set aside to focus the main campaign on the continent of Ashenfall.

References

  1. ↑ RuneScape: Dragonwilds. "Community Campfire with Mod Dutch - Episode 1" . YouTube video. 26 June 2025.
  2. ↑ Jagex. RuneScape - Dragonwilds Coming To PlayStation 5!. 2 June 2026. (Archived from the original on 2 June 2026.)
  3. ↑ RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Dragonwilds is coming to consoles!. Jagex. 5 June 2026. (Archived from the original on 6 June 2026.)
  4. ↑ RuneScape: Dragonwilds. Dragonwilds comes to Switch 2!. Jagex. 9 June 2026. (Archived from the original on 10 June 2026.)
  5. ↑ https://dragonwilds.runescape.com/news/deluxe-preorders
  6. ↑ Jagex. . 31 March 2025. (Archived from the original on 15 July 2025.)
  7. ↑ [Jagex Official Website], RuneScape: Dragonwilds. "RuneScape: Dragonwilds is an entirely new RuneScape experience set within the iconic world of Gielinor and is a game which is worthy of wearing the RuneScape name."
  8. ↑ Jagex. Mod Cyphus on Discord. Screenshot. 19 August 2025. Mod Cyphus: "We started a long time before 2024, more like 2022.", in reply to: "Question for the mods (to publish on the wiki and out of curiosity), what month did Dragonwilds begin development in 2024? Iirc it was late 2024, was it somewhere between October and November?" (screenshot)
  9. ↑ RuneScape: Dragonwilds. "Community Campfire with Mod Dutch - Episode 2 (ft Mod Rook)" (in 18:40). YouTube video. 29 July 2025.