(Note: I’ve been playing Runescape for over 20 years, and I’m still early in Brighter Shores. I fully intend to update this review after logging more hours.)

I really want to like Brighter Shores- I really, really do.

There’s a nostalgia here that brings back memories of why I fell for games like Runescape years ago. But instead of feeling like something fresh and new, Brighter Shores seems stuck. It’s trying too hard to recreate the past without moving forward. It’s as if the game is clinging to Runescape’s shadow rather than building something that stands on its own.

Skills and resource management are similarly outdated. Instead of rewarding exploration or crafting in a meaningful way, the most effective way to level up is to brute-force skills by buying resources from NPCs. Gathering resources yourself feels inefficient and pointless, and with minimal inventory space, there’s constant backtracking just to store items in fragmented storage areas for each skill. This setup turns what should be a fulfilling, self-sufficient experience into a time sink of pointless running around.

But I haven’t given up. There’s a spark here, a potential waiting under the layers of outdated mechanics and rough edges, that keeps me playing. Despite my criticisms, I'm genuinely hoping Brighter Shores finds its stride. But for now, Brighter Shores feels more like a nostalgic misstep than a bold new journey.

(Note: I’ve been playing Runescape for over 20 years, and I’m still early in Brighter Shores. I fully intend to update this review after logging more hours.) I really want to like Brighter Shores- I really, really do. There’s a nostalgia here that brings back memories of why I fell for games like Runescape years ago. But instead of feeling like something fresh and new, Brighter Shores seems stuck. It’s trying too hard to recreate the past without moving forward. It’s as if the game is clinging to Runescape’s shadow rather than building something that stands on its own. Skills and resource management are similarly outdated. Instead of rewarding exploration or crafting in a meaningful way, the most effective way to level up is to brute-force skills by buying resources from NPCs. Gathering resources yourself feels inefficient and pointless, and with minimal inventory space, there’s constant backtracking just to store items in fragmented storage areas for each skill. This setup turns what should be a fulfilling, self-sufficient experience into a time sink of pointless running around. But I haven’t given up. There’s a spark here, a potential waiting under the layers of outdated mechanics and rough edges, that keeps me playing. Despite my criticisms, I'm genuinely hoping Brighter Shores finds its stride. But for now, Brighter Shores feels more like a nostalgic misstep than a bold new journey.