We’ve reached a significant debate: Jagex has just released its latest game set in the world of Gielinor, and many players are comparing it to other popular survival games. RuneScape: Dragonwilds immerses players in Ashenfall, an undiscovered land within the RuneScape universe. Explore various biomes, craft weapons and structures, and play with up to three additional friends. The game challenges players to survive in the wilderness and defeat monsters as they work towards taking down the dragon that flies above.
This description also applies to another popular survival game: Valheim. Set in a Viking-inspired world, Valheim challenges players to survive against hostile creatures in various remote locations. At first glance, both games appear similar. However, it’s clear that they have differences that players prefer in one game over the other. It’s time to determine which of the two games does survival exploration better.
Tales of Journey and Survival
Both games share major gameplay elements, including a vast overworld exploration and the need to manage statistics such as hunger and thirst. However, they do both of these two differently in significant ways.
Valheim and RuneScape: Dragonwilds are also both currently in early access. However, Valheim has had more time to evolve based on player feedback. As a result, it features a substantially larger map than Dragonwilds and offers a greater variety of traversal options. In Valheim, players have the ability to ride various creatures and sail to other islands using boats. Dragonwilds lacks this feature; it is not as expansive, does not permit riding animals, and doesn’t have sufficiently large bodies of water for crafting or traveling by boat. So, as an open-world title designed to encourage player exploration, Valheim wins this round.
When it comes to survival features, both games are on par with each other as they approach survival elements in distinctly different but uniquely fun and interesting ways. In Dragonwilds, players must carefully manage their food, water, and rest to maintain their physical condition. Valheim treats these survival elements more like buffs. In Valheim, consuming food typically serves a specific purpose, such as providing extra warmth in cold environments. In Dragonwilds, managing these resources is crucial for ensuring you have enough fuel to progress through the next area.
Calm and Relaxing Vs Hostile and Stressful
The main difference between RuneScape: Dragonwilds and Valheim lies in how each game is designed to make a player feel. Dragonwilds feels much more forgiving than a typical survival game. Enemies are scarce, and those inside dungeons do not immediately respawn when you leave and return. Additionally, I think the smaller size of the world compared to Valheim is actually beneficial, as it prevents the sensation of walking endlessly to reach your destination. As a direct comparison, I find it to be far cozier than the hostile environment Valheim is set in.
Valheim is much more unforgiving in the survival category. The game emphasizes the importance of crafting and utilizing various weapon types, each with its own unique specializations in dodging, parrying, and attacking. This design choice makes sense, as you are constantly on the lookout for creatures hunting you or for powerful bosses that you need to defeat. I enjoy playing Valheim with friends who have some experience in survival games and are willing to invest time in building elaborate bases and coordinating battles. As a result, I don’t think I can look at anyone with a straight face and say that Valheim is especially cozy.
The Verdict?
Both Valheim and RuneScape: Dragonwilds offer gameplay that focuses on exploring, crafting, base building, and survival, but they provide very different experiences. I would recommend Valheim for players seeking a challenging adventure and a deeper connection to survival. On the other hand, RuneScape: Dragonwilds is a better choice for those who want to enjoy a more relaxed experience. Well, except for the part where the Dragon Queen spits poison all over wherever you’re walking.
