Runescape
- Area: Global
- Official Site: Runescape
- Publisher: Jagex
- Developer: Jagex
- Platform: Web Browser
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Overview
“RuneScape” is a 3D fantasy MMORPG that boasts millions of players worldwide, and offers traditional fantasy elements, open-ended gameplay and a player driven economy.
Features
- Huge community
- Player run economy with crafting system
- Short learning curve
- Players can move from server to server
- Great skill progression system
- Player Housing, farming, and more
Review
Reviewed by Cody Hargreaves
Joining the Dark Side
Like most Browser Games, I began my journey into the unknown by simply creating an account. Soon after I was informed that my Java was not up to date, but with the handy use of links it wasn't long before I had Java installed, and was looking at a fully 3D, and quite impressive login screen. Character creation was next, and it was then that I began to notice why RuneScape was at the pinnacle of browser based gaming; it looked really, really good. Not good by today's standards of course â not even close really, but for a game running through my web browser, it was really quite amazing.
Learning the Ropes
I spent the next few minutes familiarizing myself with the interface and controls, and with the help of the handy tutorial guides found my way through the first part of RuneScape with great ease. Walking consisted of simply clicking whereever I would like to move, and interacting was done the same way, by simply clicking on an object or NPC to interact with them. The camera was controlled using the arrow keys, and I was aptly informed that if I needed any help, the website contained plenty of useful information for new players and to check it out if I had any trouble settling in. I didn't, but it was nice to know that it was there all the same.
A Simple Life
I was really quite surprised at just how in-depth the included tutorial was; as I progressed I learned the basics of making a fire by cutting trees, fishing and cooking my catch on said fire, and even how to mix flour and water together to make dough. I learned how to change the game music, use emotes, and even how to run and the imposed energy limitations of doing so. To be frank, it was the same as learning how to play any other MMO, and it felt really good.
Moving Forward
Continuing through the tutorial saw a staggering variety of different explanations, including everything from Quests and Spells, to mining and smelting different Ores to create weapons. I even had a small chat with my Financial Advisor at the bank to learn some different ways to make money, and was given the basic lowdown on combat, both ranged and melee. While nothing was especially extraordinary, everything was polished to a mirror sheen and very well constructed. By the time I teleported to the mainland to join everyone else I had a very decent understanding of the game mechanics, and felt confident that I could happily progree through without concern.
Hee-yah!
Combat and leveling works slightly different to the norm in RuneScape, as instead of the standard grinding, whereby players are able to use only the skills their class permits, RuneScape allows players to decide on the go. Players can only gain experience in a particular area by using the skills that define it, such as attacking with a sword to increase your skill with a sword, or cutting trees to get better at woodcutting. Taking it one step further, in combat players receive XP for each individual type of attack, so by choosing to Lunge you get better at lunging, and to get better at stabbing one must stab. It's a much older style of PRG advancement, but then, RuneScape is quite an old game, albeit with a new coat of paint.
VIP: Very Important Players
The remainder of RuneScape plays very much like the great many fantasy-themed MMOs of recent late, giving players the ability to learn and increase their skills, complete quests to progress the story, fight beasts, and in certain servers each other, everything you would expect from an MMO and more. Also much like other F2P MMOs, users that choose to pay the $5.95 purchase fee gain access to full accounts and the many benefits that come included with such a buy.
Members can expect to receive regular content updates, removal of in-game advertising, access to a world over three times the size of the original, the tools required to build their own homes, and even access to an entire new set of skills. It's a small price really, and it's no wonder so many people are paying it considering just how much there is to gain.
Books and Covers
There's an old saying that involves something about books and covers that serves as an important lesson with RuneScape. I had refused playing on several occasions purely because of its browser based nature, and was pleasantly surprised when I finally gave it the chance it deserved. It's not a game that I would regularly play, the F2P market is quite simply much to amazing at present for me to spend time playing a game that looks like it was developed in the 90's, browser based or not. But say I was at work, or at a friend's house, or visiting my grandparents for the summer, there are plenty of situations in which RuneScape could serve as the perfect escape, and should.
In addition, RuneScape employs many simple features that much more demanding games don't, features like cooking and fishing to make food and survive, features like creating your own weapons, even the inclusion of a hugely fleshed out tutorial to help players begin is something of a rarity in the MMO scene, and it impresses me to see RuneScape standing strong in it's browser format and setting the right example. As far as browser games go, RuneScape would receive a 5/5 from me on any day of the week, give this one a shot next time you have nothing else to play, you may just find yourself pleasantly surprised.
UGC:
Check out the Review by our Community member DarkMagic76, click here.
Check out the Review by our Community member LightRune46, click here.
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