One of the first open-world games
To the mass multiplayer online roleplaying game that launched a revolution. Released in 1999, RuneScape offered people the ability to explore the unknown and be whatever they want to be.
The most pay to play MMO on the market
Arguably the two best aspects of RuneScape are the community and the combat engine.
Have you ever played a game that was so pay-to-play that it physically hurt your soul? If not look no further than Old School Runescape, a game where you only have access to half the skill tree and a third of the map as a free to play player.
Besides not being able to do a lot in the game due to restrictions placed on F2P accounts, by buying a membership the game is a lot easier. If you are roleplaying a mage, runecrafting is a skill that is easier to level on premium accounts. Sneaky rogues need decent thievery, and agility scores and those are skills that can only be levelled up by being a member.
Maybe you want to settle down and instead of adventuring you want to get lost in the wilds, and become a hunter, herbalist or a simple farmer. In most other games this would be possible, heck the RuneScape marketplace loves people who do this, but you cannot fill these rolls unless you pay for membership.
There is nothing greater than partying up with some friends and each person adopting a role to benefit the group. Also, each avatar can only be attacked by one enemy at a time, so death due to being swarmed is impossible.
Where can you run this program?
Currently the game is available for PC and in the Android and Apple app stores. Also, the apps run surprisingly well and do not take up a lot of space on mobile devices.
Is there a better alternative?
For nostalgic purposes I would say no because this game has been around for over twenty years for a reason. If you regularly play MMORPGs, RuneScape will feel simplistic, and instead, you should look at games like AlbionOnline, Elder Scrolls Online or World of Warcraft.
Our take
This game would not be good for someone trying to get into MMO genre, due to the F2P restrictions that are in place. However, if you’re feeling nostalgic this game is highly recommended.
Should you download it?
This question depends on whether you plan on being a F2P player or not. If the answer is yes and you do pay for membership the game is great. However, this isn't a great choice for F2P players.
