Rune Scape is a 3D fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game that is played by millions of players worldwide. With traditional fantasy elements, Rune Scape is one of the most detailed browser based games currently available. The game has approximately 10 million active accounts per month, over 156 million registered accounts, and is recognised by the Guinness World Records as the world’s most popular free MMORPG.
Rune Scape takes place in the world of Gielinor, a medieval fantasy realm divided into different kingdoms, regions, and cities. Players can travel throughout Gielinor on foot, with the use of magical teleportation, and via numerous other methods, such as charter ships. Each region offers different types of monsters, resources, and quests to challenge players. Players are represented in the game with avatars. Players can choose to fight non-player character (NPC) monsters, complete quests, or increase their experience in the available skills.Players interact with each other through trading, chatting, or by participating in mini-games and activities. There are no “classes” in Rune Scape – you can train in any skill you want, and switch to an entirely different way of fighting at any time, even in the middle of combat. Despite being criticized for its low-end graphics, it’s actually pretty good for a browser game and it works on even the slowest computers.
Gameplay
Players begin in the area, where they are taken through a tutorial, a set path where they learn the most basic skills. Players set their own goals and objectives as they play the game. Players gain experience. The total skill level of a player partly symbolises the player’s status in the game. Some skills, such as woodcutting and fishing, enable the player to collect raw materials that can be processed into usable items for other skills, such as fletching and cooking.
Combat
Rune Scape features a real-time combat system. Combat is an important aspect of the game, allowing players to retrieve items or gold dropped by defeated creatures or players and complete quests. Most of the game’s weapons are medieval or fantastical in nature. Players die when their life points are reduced to zero. Lost life points can be recovered by consuming certain food or drinks.
Free to play availability and subscribtion
Rune Scape continues to offer a huge variety of play to its “free to play” members; without paying the monthly fee (which is currently set at $5.95 per month), players are allowed access to the majority of skills and most of the content. Subscribing provides access to an additional nine skills, members-only servers, and a world which is three times larger.
Community and game rules
On the forums, players are able to participate in game discussions, buy or sell items, post suggestions for game improvements, vote in polls, and otherwise interact with the community. Users can’t use text formatting, post links, nor display images. Game has employed rules for players, such as rules against offensive language, scamming, and abuse.Players who repeatedly break the rules may be temporarily or permanently banned from playing the game.
Pros
- Broswer based – no download,
- Huge population,
- Access to 29 minigames,
- Full screen mode,
- Player owned housing,
- 9 additional skills to train,
- Recently improved 3D graphics,
- Skill based progression, no levels.
Cons
- Small game world for non-members ,
- Most features require subscription,
- Simple graphics.