Runescape Review

Game play: (7.5) The game play is ok but definitely not outstanding. The battle system is very simple. The players and/or mobs just attack each other successively with no skills available. It’s just a hit or miss type of battle in which your attack can either do some damage or miss. There are no hot keys available since there are no skills. Unfortunately, it also doesn’t offer hot keys for the menus like inventory, quest log, equipments, etc. Everything needs to be clicked, which may be a bit more demanding with the mouse and very much less with the keyboard. Keyboard usage is limited to typing messages and camera rotation. The game mechanics can go either way since everything, literally everything, needs to be leveled. On the one hand, this can be addicting since you really have to spend time chopping trees, cooking, smithing, lighting fire, and all sorts of activities since most of these are essential. On the other hand, this can be boring since you are forced to level even the basic things like the ones mentioned above. It is up to you whether you are into this kind of game play.

Characters: (8.0) The new Runescape offers a LOT of different class types. The funny thing, however, is that it won’t affect you in any way, except the costume. And since you will be wearing equipments, it will most of the time, be covered anyway. Other customizations are also available like color, face features, and others. Since the class really doesn’t affect game play, your real “class” is determined by your weapon. You can either be a melee fighter (equipped with sword, knife, mace, etc), a ranged fighter (equipped with bow, crossbow, sling, etc.), or a magician (staff, runes). As such, you can level one of these three, or a combination. Although I don’t recommend a mix as I will explain now. Your battle level, is based on the total level of your battle attributes like defense, constitution (life) and battle attack (either melee, ranged, or magic). As such, you will be level 40 if you have 10 def, 15 constitution, and 5 of each attack. Compare that to a level 40 with 10 def, 15 constitution and 15 melee. Both of you are of the same level but the 15 melee would most likely win since he’s specialized. If you fight using a sword with a mix of stats, your other attributes in ranged and magic won’t help you in battle.

Graphics: (6.5) To give some credit, Runescape is a browser game. However, this doesn’t mean that I should give it a higher score than this because the graphics really isn’t good. Compared to the old Runescape, it is better, but still not good.

Community: (8.0) The population is big since Runescape is really one of the most popular F2P MMORPGs. When it comes to help, it depends. There are people who are good enough to help you in some quests, or in answering your questions. However, it is sometimes hard to get help since most people are busy doing their own quests or leveling up their skills.

Story: (6.5) The story is mediocre, if I can even call it story. The new Runescape has this new Objective tab where you can generate “objectives” with no reward after completing it. Usually, it’s just leveling up a certain skill. On some occasions, there are quest-like objectives. Nonetheless, these objectives are pretty random. On the other hand, the real quests usually are not chronological since you can choose to skip some in your quest list. Doing these may be the “story,” but like I said, it’s mediocre.

PVP: (8.0) There’s a feature in Runescape where you can PK people almost anywhere in the map. Although the main PVP is centered in an arena where you will combat or challenge a person. The rules can be changed like no armor, no food, or no loot, among others. This gives a little flexibility and also allows some players to PVP even if they’re not willing to lose their items when they lose. PVP is generally just click the opponent and watch the fight. You can run around, change equipments, or eat food, but that’s generally it.

Features: (7.5) As mentioned, one of the features which can be considered here is the level up system in which you will have to spend time to level up basic activities like fishing, crafting, mining, etc. This can make the game more addicting or more boring, depending on what you like about MMORPGs. Also, although this is not a feature, I would like to point out that dying in this game is pretty costly. When you die, you will lose everything in your inventory. Although there are banks available in the different towns, it is still a hassle. Furthermore, with activities like chopping woods, mining, etc. you may have to buy or craft those axes and picks again if you die when you still have them. The inventory is also quite limited. Most of the things are not stackable so it will really take space in your inventory. As such, this system requires some inventory management.

Overall: (7.0) I am well aware that many people love this game and it is even currently considered as one of the best F2P MMORPGs. Indeed it is good since it is relatively simple, it can be quite addicting, and it requires no download so it can be played almost anywhere. But considering other aspects which make good MMOPRPGs like graphics, rewards, game play, and story, Runescape is mediocre. It really depends on what the player wants from an MMORPG, but in my opinion, Runescape does not satisfy my qualifications.