Old School RuneScape

Rating: 4.1 Downloads: 5,000,000+
Category: Adventure Offer by: Jagex Games Studio

Old School RuneScape is a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that serves as a continuation of the original RuneScape, offering the original experience with updated visuals. It belongs to the classic MMORPG genre, focusing on exploration, combat, questing, and crafting in a persistent world. What makes Old School RuneScape particularly interesting is its commitment to the original formula and a large, active player base.

The gameplay experience of Old School RuneScape is reminiscent of classic MMORPGs, featuring a vast open world to explore, a wide variety of quests, and challenging dungeons filled with monsters. Players can enjoy fast-paced combat and feel a strong sense of progression, all while benefiting from the nostalgic charm and simple interface that defined the original game.

Gameplay and Features

  • Core Gameplay Loop: The core loop involves exploring the world, talking to NPCs to receive quests, fighting monsters for experience and rewards, upgrading your combat and skills, acquiring better gear, and repeating this cycle to advance your character and tackle increasingly difficult challenges.
  • Visuals or Art Style: The game features pixel art graphics that are intentionally kept somewhat dated, aiming for a retro feel reminiscent of early MMORPGs and classic games. The visuals, while simple, are distinct and contribute significantly to the game’s “Old School” identity.
  • Modes or Levels: Old School RuneScape can be played as single-player, allowing individuals to progress on their own terms, or multiplayer, enabling players to cooperate with friends or strangers for quests and challenges. The lack of a strict end-game goal encourages exploration and replayability.
  • Controls or Interface: Primarily controlled using a keyboard and mouse (or touch controls on mobile), the interface is functional and straightforward, minimizing distractions and allowing players to focus on the game world and actions.
  • Customization or Power-ups: Players customize their character by choosing an appearance at the beginning. Progression is driven by earning experience points (XP) from various tasks, which can be invested into skill levels. Acquiring better weapons, armor, and equipment is key, motivating play through the promise of improved stats and abilities.
  • Any Special Systems: While not featuring unique co-op mechanics beyond standard multiplayer interaction, the game includes regular content updates (Old School Editions), new bosses, dungeons, and zones, ensuring ongoing engagement and providing fresh challenges.

How to Play

Beginner’s Guide:

  • Step 1: Download and install Old School RuneScape from RuneScape.com. Create an account, choose your character’s starting nation (either Godwars Dungeon, Barbarian, or Humid Jungle) and appearance, then log in and enter the game world.
  • Step 2: Start by speaking to the tutorial NPC (usually located near your starting point) to receive introductory quests. These guide you through basic mechanics like combat, inventory use, and skill identification. Explore the surrounding area and undertake these initial quests.
  • Step 3: Complete quests by talking to NPCs, solving puzzles, and defeating monsters. Earn experience points to level up various skills displayed on your interface. Accumulate gold from quests, slayer tasks (if you take them on), and combat to purchase better gear and consumables from shops.

Pro Tips:

  • Use the Skill Tab: The tab on your interface showing your current skill levels and experience bars is invaluable for understanding your character’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Bank Your Items Carefully: Use your bank (accessed by pressing ‘B’) to store items securely instead of carrying them in your inventory, freeing up space and preventing loss during combat.
  • Learn Boss Patterns: Many dungeons feature challenging boss monsters. Observing their attack patterns and learning how to counter them is crucial for success and efficient XP grinding.

Similar Games

Game Title Why It’s Similar
RuneScape

The official spiritual successor to the original RuneScape experience.

OSRS Private Accounts

Allows for the experience of Old School RuneScape on a dedicated private server with different rules or content.

Rift

Shares a similar fantasy MMORPG genre. Offers vast worlds to explore, quests, and player interaction, though with distinct art styles and mechanics.

Aion

Appeals to fans of classic MMORPGs. Features a rich storyline, extensive crafting systems, and multiple races, providing a deep and challenging experience.

Minecraft

Popular among fans of Old School RuneScape due to its sandbox nature, allowing exploration, building, and survival against hostile mobs. While different, it offers freedom and a sense of progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the primary difference between Old School RuneScape and RuneScape?
A: The key difference is Old School RuneScape retains the original art style, quest content, and core mechanics from the original 2007 release, with updated visuals. RuneScape, on the other hand, is a modern MMORPG with vastly improved graphics, new quests, skills, and systems.

Q: Do I need to pay to play Old School RuneScape? Is it free forever?
A: Yes, Old School RuneScape is free to play. You don’t need to pay to download, install, or play the game. All core content, including quests and skills, is accessible without cost.

Q: Can I play Old School RuneScape on my mobile phone or tablet alongside RuneScape?
A: Yes! Both Old School RuneScape and the main RuneScape game are available as mobile applications for iOS and Android devices, allowing you to play on the go.

Q: How do I level up my combat and skills the fastest?
A: To level skills quickly, identify tasks or monsters you’re already strong at (your ‘leveling path’). Farming XP often provides good value (low level requirement, fast XP). Use banked Prayer potions during boss fights to increase damage output or defense.

Q: Can I have multiple characters on Old School RuneScape?
A: No, Old School RuneScape only allows a single character per account. You cannot create multiple alts within the game itself on the same login account. However, you can create a new account to start fresh, but this requires a new login and any associated Old School Editions subscription will be separate.

Screenshots

Old School RuneScape App Download