Andrew Gower has a new game, and if you're expecting RuneScape 4, you're going to be very confused. It’s called Brighter Shores. It launched in early access toward the tail end of 2024, and honestly, the reception has been a total rollercoaster. Some people love the cozy, point-and-click nostalgia. Others are basically calling it a glorified mobile game that missed the mark.
It's weird.
After spending over a decade away from the spotlight, the guy who basically invented the modern browser MMO with his brothers Paul and Ian decided to build a custom engine—the Fenforge—and try to catch lightning in a bottle twice. But the gaming world in 2026 is a lot different than it was in 2001.
What is Brighter Shores anyway?
Basically, it’s a grid-based MMORPG. You play as a recruit in the Hopeport Town Guard. It feels familiar but also alien. Gower’s team at Fen Research intentionally stripped away a lot of the "fiddly" bits of modern MMOs. No microtransactions. No daily login pressure (mostly). Just a massive world broken down into "episodes."
The game uses a room-to-room movement system. Think of it like a digital tabletop board. Instead of a seamless open world like World of Warcraft, you move between distinct squares. It’s jarring at first. You’ve got your standard professions—Chef, Fisher, Woodcutter—but then things get odd. Each new episode or region essentially resets your combat progress.
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If you're a level 50 Guard in Hopeport, you're still a level 1 Scout when you step into the Hopeforest.
The Andrew Gower New Game controversy: Why fans are split
There's a lot of drama in the community right now. Some players are obsessed with the "passive" leveling system. You can literally set your character to keep working while you're offline. It’s perfect for people with jobs and kids who can't spend 16 hours a day clicking on a rock. But for the hardcore "no-lifers," it feels like the game is playing itself.
The Problem with "Different for the sake of being different"
The most common complaint you'll hear on Reddit or Steam is that Gower tried too hard not to make RuneScape.
- Trading: On launch, it was basically non-existent.
- Combat: It’s been described as a "coin toss" because of the heavy RNG and lack of special attacks (though reworks are currently in the pipes).
- The Social Aspect: In an MMO, you’d expect a bustling chat. In Brighter Shores, the heavy-handed censorship and "sharded" rooms make it feel more like a single-player game where you occasionally see ghosts of other people.
Honestly, it feels like a passion project that might have stayed in the oven a bit too long without enough outside feedback. But Andrew Gower isn't a quitter. He’s been active on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that the "Milestones" update and the upcoming combat reworks are meant to fix these foundational cracks.
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How much does it cost?
The monetization is... unique. It’s free-to-play for the first two episodes: Hopeport and Hopeforest. If you want the full experience—including the Mine of Mantuban, Crenopolis, and the ability to change your name or dye your armor—you need a Premium Pass.
It’s a subscription model. $8 a month, or thereabouts.
No loot boxes. No "pay-to-win" XP lamps. In an era where every major game is trying to reach into your wallet every five minutes, this is genuinely refreshing. You either pay for the content or you don't. Simple.
Is Brighter Shores worth playing in 2026?
If you want a high-octane, action-combat experience, stay away. You will hate it. It’s slow. It’s methodical. It’s a "second monitor" game.
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But if you’re the type of person who finds peace in watching a level bar go from 98 to 99 while you listen to a podcast, it’s kind of a vibe. The writing, handled by Paul Gower, has that classic British wit that made the early 2000s questing so iconic. It doesn't take itself too seriously.
Actionable insights for new players:
- Don't rush combat: Since your level "resets" in new episodes, focus on your professions (skills) first. They provide the gear and potions you'll actually need to survive.
- Use the passive system: If you’re logging off for the night, make sure your character is assigned to a profession. It’s free XP. Don't leave it on the table.
- Wait for the "Stonemaw Hill" update: If the current state feels too empty, keep an eye on the Episode 5 release. That’s when the developers have promised a more robust "endgame" and the introduction of PvP.
The reality is that Andrew Gower's new game isn't trying to be the next big "RuneScape killer." It’s a niche, quirky RPG built by a man who already made his millions and just wants to build something his way. It might never have 100,000 concurrent players again, but for a specific group of people, it’s exactly the kind of slow-burn adventure they've been waiting for.
If you're jumping in today, just remember: it's still early access. Things are going to break. Systems are going to be reworked. But at least you know the guy at the helm actually cares about the game, rather than just the quarterly earnings report.
To get started, you'll need to head over to Steam and download the client. Just make sure your PC meets the basic specs—8GB of RAM and a halfway decent processor should do it, as the Fenforge engine is surprisingly light on resources. Once you're in, take your time in Hopeport. Talk to the NPCs. Don't just follow a guide to the most efficient XP rates, or you'll burn out before you even see the forest.