The rapid integration of inverter-based renewable energy resources into medium-voltage distribution networks is fundamentally altering fault-current characteristics and challenging the reliability of conventional overcurrent protection and automatic reclosing schemes. Reduced and variable fault contributions, bidirectional power flow, and operating-condition-dependent behavior can lead to protection blinding, miscoordination, delayed fault clearing, and unsuccessful reclosing. To address these challenges, adaptive protection strategies supported by communication-assisted coordination and digital substation technologies have been widely investigated. This paper presents a comprehensive review of adaptive overcurrent and reclosing protection methods for renewable-rich and active distribution systems. Existing approaches are systematically classified into setting-group-based, measurement-assisted, optimization-driven, communication-assisted, and data-driven techniques, and are compared based on operating principles, implementation complexity, and practical applicability. Particular emphasis is placed on IEC 61850-enabled digital substations, including generic object-oriented substation event (GOOSE) messaging and distributed intelligent electronic devices that enable real-time coordination and dynamic setting updates. Adaptive reclosing schemes are examined alongside overcurrent protection to highlight the importance of integrated protection–reclosing design in high-penetration DER networks. The review further surveys validation practices reported in the literature, ranging from offline simulation to hardware-in-the-loop and real-time digital simulation (RTDS) platforms, and assesses their effectiveness for practical deployment. Comparative analysis identifies current limitations, research gaps, and emerging trends, including hybrid protection architectures, cybersecurity considerations, and scalable digital substation implementations. Finally, future research directions and practical recommendations for utilities are discussed. Overall, this review provides a structured technical reference and design guide for researchers and practitioners seeking to develop robust, standards-compliant adaptive protection and reclosing solutions for modern active distribution networks.