Review & Overview: RuneScape

    “…RuneScape manages to attract new players, maintain financial stability, and compete with highly-ranked MMOGs while remaining a free game.”

    When it comes to MMOGs economic stability is considered a priority.  There are many factors one must consider when it comes to financial issues in the MMO market.  Whether it be in concern to the cost of a well-educated staff or the expenses of keeping up many different servers, it come down one hefty bill.  With that in mind, it’s easy to assess how games such as World of Warcraft and Lord of the Rings Online maintain financial stability with their relatively high subscription fees.

    Game such as World of Warcraft have massive notoriety in our modern generation.  It’s quite difficult for someone to think of something other than WoW when randomly introduced to the word “MMOG”.  WoW has pretty much dominated the MMOG market, but according to recent market reports, an MMOG minority is not-so-much a minority anymore.  I’m, of course, speaking of the MMORPG RuneScape.  RuneScape boasts many features that other MMOGs do not, and though it seems to be a “MMOG minority”, it’s proving well with recent statistics and is keeping up with WoW without the harsh subscription fee. 

    RuneScape is developed by Jagex Ltd., a small development team with a little over 350 employees.  Unlike most MMOGs, RuneScape does not seem to boast the type of stable environment needed for a progressing MMOG.  But, RuneScape continues to grow proving perspective standards wrong.  With all this information in mind, let’s move on to the review.

    One major aspect to be addressed is RuneScape’s client.  Essentially easy to use, RuneScape’s browser-based playability is “one” of its greatest features.  All you need to play in terms of installation is a recent version of Java.  RuneScape also has fairly low system requirements and can be played on most computers built in the last 10 years.  Being relatively easy as stated before, the only thing you need to do in order to play is to register an account which is quick and simple.  After that, you’re ready to begin your adventure in the land of RuneScape.

    Upon entering the game the first thing one might notice is the graphics.  With the many advances in graphics nowadays, one might argue how stale and drab the graphics are.  But upon further inspection, one might notice how detailed everything really is.  RuneScape has updated the graphics quite a few times over the years, but Jagex still manages to keep them a bit low so people with low system specifications can still play.  Thought most consider this a downside of RuneScape, upon further playing the game, one will find that the gameplay is still just as great.

    After making your character, which is so easy it doesn’t need to be addressed in detail, the next step in your adventure is the tutorial.  If you’ve played RuneScape before, more than likely you’re going to dislike the tutorial, it tends to be repetitive and useless to current players.  However, if you’re completely new to RuneScape, the tutorial is rather exciting.  It covers the many skills you’ll be able to progress, quests, and many other features that RuneScape has to offer.

    As you continue with the tutorial, you’ll notice that game is 99.9% controlled with the mouse.  This is quite unique in comparison to most MMOGs on the market today.  But, you’ll find out that RuneScape’s point-and-click method works fairly well.

    After you finish the tutorial, you’ll be teleported to the mainland where the real adventure begins.  With the knowledge gained from the tutorial, it’s up to the player to make the best out of their adventure in the land of RuneScape.  There’s no set path one must take, whatever you feel like doing, that’s what you do.  If you want to train your combat, go at it.  If you want to quest, go right ahead.  It’s all up to you.

    Now that the basic information is covered, let’s move on to some more of RuneScape’s features.  Besides there being 24 unique skills for you to pursue, RuneScape offers PK’ing (player-killing), quests, a ton of mini-games, and etc.  There’s too many to name.  The game also offers a huge world with many friends to be made.  Social interactions is key for increased fun in RuneScape.

    Of course, when it comes to MMOGs, there’s always a “catch”.  Where’s the income?  RuneScape may not be top-notch like World of Warcraft or Age of Conan, but it does invest enough work to where profit should be made.  RuneScape is indeed free, but how are they making money?  That’s where another unique aspect of RuneScape comes into play.  RuneScape is considered a “freemium” game because it’s free indefinitely, but it offers premium services for about $5.00 a month.  Just think, all the previously assessed features at your fingertips… Plus more.  It’s a great investment at such a small price.

    RuneScape is a great MMORPG.  It’s surpassed years of skepticism and continues to stay high in the ranks of MMOGs.  The game offer so many unique ways to pass time, and overall, is a great use of your time.  I’ve made many lasting friendships in RuneScape so I‘ve always considered it a great use of my time.  Personally, I’ve played many MMOGs, but only one keeps me coming back for more, and that’s RuneScape.  It truly is a great game, and don’t take my word for it, go play it yourself.