There aren’t too many MMORPGs that you can just throw up on a second monitor in the background while you watch Crunchyroll or zone out to your favorite podcast about foreign baking competitions. Most require your input as you quest, grind mobs, and run dungeons with random players you’ll never see again. But RuneScape was unique in providing a stomping ground for players who want to experience character growth with minimal effort. Andrew Gower, one of the minds behind RuneScape, ultimately left Jagex to form Fen Research, and now, his first game, Brighter Shores, is available on Steam as a free-to-play point-and-click MMORPG.
Despite Gower’s reputation, Brighter Shores hasn’t been a guaranteed hit with long-time RuneScape players. It appears the new formula is a bit too different for their liking. But despite the differences between the two games, Brighter Shores is already sitting at a “Mostly Positive” Steam review status with a steady number of active players that peaks at just under 10,000 daily. It’s still early days for the MMO, and it’s in Early Access, so there’s a lot of opportunity for things to change.
For now, let’s look at the game’s current status. First, many current negative reviews point toward an overall lifeless experience devoid of typical MMORPG quality-of-life features and strange design choices. One user points out that there’s a cooking profession, yet you can’t eat. Furthermore, many of the game’s negative reviews find fault with how clunky everything feels, as it takes multiple, often unnecessary clicks to do anything.
But it’s not all bad. There are countless positive reviews—currently more than negative ones—and they paint a better picture for Brighter Shores. Such reviews describe the game as a refreshing experience with multiple updates from the studio addressing concerns promptly and a compelling gameplay loop that provides hours of entertainment without requiring your undivided attention.
If you’re coming over from RuneScape in search of better horizons, here’s what it’s like in Brighter Shores, as told by Steam reviews!