Old School RuneScape
Developer: Jagex | Platform: PC, Android, iOS | Release date: February 22, 2013 | Model: Limited Free2Play, subscription almost mandatory | Combat system: Action combat system in the isometric perspective
What kind of game is this? The MMORPG RuneScape has been expanded and renewed over time. However, many players wished for the old flair to return. So, the developer Jagex brought Old School RuneScape for PC and for smartphones.
It relies heavily on interaction with other players, crafting, and trading. You can expect 23 different “skills” like sailing or smithing, a huge open world with hundreds of quests, and many ways to shape your character according to your wishes.
Those who are well-versed in the MMORPG can activate the Ironman mode, which means you can no longer trade with others and must earn everything yourself. In Hardcore Ironman, you also only have a single life.
Through constant progress and diverse tasks, Old School RuneScape provides a continuous feeling of advancement and reward. This, along with the very dedicated community, makes the MMORPG still interesting today, even though it feels like a title from the early 2000s, or precisely because of that.
You can also feel this in the combat system, which consists only of targeting an enemy and executing an auto-attack, especially in the early levels. By the way, there are no classes; instead, weapons and armor determine your playstyle.
The development path that Old School RuneScape has conceived is exciting. Unlike in WoW Classic, old patches are not re-released; new content for the MMORPG is developed instead. Every new content is put to a vote. Only if 75 percent of all subscribers agree with a feature will it be implemented.
Who is this interesting for? If you enjoy playing old MMORPGs where trading, crafting, and the community are at the forefront, then Old School RuneScape is the right place for you. Here you can grind for months or even years.
Through modes like Ironman, old content becomes interesting again, allowing you to embark on the same journey with a new character, and yet everything feels different.
A little highlight is crossplay and cross-progression between PC and smartphone. This makes it easy to complete smaller grind tasks even at night in bed.
Is there a catch? Old School RuneScape lives up to its name both graphically and gameplay-wise. If you’re looking for a modern MMORPG, you’re definitely in the wrong place. You have to like the style and gameplay; otherwise, there are enough alternatives on this list.
Although Old School RuneScape is fundamentally free to play, it is difficult to play without a subscription. This includes some of the “skills,” additional maps, minigames, and more abilities.
Is it worth starting in 2026? RuneScape shares its current player numbers with its community. This shows that, despite its age, the game once again set a new player record last year. This demonstrates how popular the old MMORPG still is today. So it’s definitely worth getting involved. Here’s the news about the record: An MMORPG that is 12 years old is currently experiencing such hype that it is getting 33 new worlds
