Gather Ye Adventurers
Whether you fondly remember RuneScape from the past or still actively play it, it's clear to see that this game has a loyal following. One of the classic nostalgic RPGs, it's interesting to see what makes this game so successful, and why it's still going strong to this day.
1. Very Active Community
The OSRS community is among one of the most active gaming communities out there. Ranking 7th on the massively multiplayer online game activity tracker, the game feels more alive than ever. The best part is that the veteran members are almost always happy to help and assist new players.
2. Unique PvP Mechanics
Old School RuneScape has some of the most high-risk combat experiences when compared to other MMOs. The Wilderness is a large wasteland that is entirely a PvP zone, making it very challenging and dangerous to traverse. While the chance of being defeated and losing all your unprotected items here is already very risky, Hardcore Ironmen will lose their status if they lose to a player here.
3. Rewarding Progression
One of the things that makes this game engaging in the long run is skill grinding and quests. Maxing stats and completing quests gives a long-term goal that makes the game feel more alive and like there’s a constant purpose for playing. With so many ways to play, the replay value of making a new character is also a good way to try new things in this game.
4. Frequent Fun Events
Another thing OSRS does not lack is events. From random events, holiday events, fixed events, to even more mysterious ones like the unannounced phenomena, there’s an event happening more often than not. This is a great way to keep the game fresh and grind some experience points, coins, and even rare item rewards.
5. Consistent Updates
For a game that seems like it wouldn’t really have too many updates, that is far from the truth. Old School RuneScape has a scheduled update every single week on Wednesdays. These updates make sure the game runs smoothly, as well as add extra content from or changes to the general gameplay.
6. Nostalgia
When it comes to older games, there is always going to be a factor of nostalgia. Many players return to the game because of fond memories they have, making for continued interest and game growth. The 2000s are full of games like this, and OSRS is one of the better ones out there.
7. Low System Requirements
With it being a retro game, the requirements for a super expensive gaming PC or laptop are not something you would have to worry about. The game takes up very little space and can run on virtually anything you probably own right now. This might not be an issue for lots of gamers, but for some old school players it’s a saving grace.
8. Cross-Platform Play
Most online games nowadays have some sort of cross-platform capabilities, and OSRS is no exception. The game is available on the PC as well as your mobile phone, making it easy to play on the go. With both of these devices sharing the same account, you won’t lack progress or be forced to make two separate accounts.
9. Fun Skill Tree
The skill tree is a very important feature of the game, as it helps the players become better and faster at doing certain tasks. There are a total of 15 free skills that any player can max out, and an extra 8 that only members can use. From chopping down trees to casting spells during combat, there’s a wide array of skills you can max out.
10. Addictive Gameplay
Most people who play OSRS will tell you that once they start playing, they completely lose track of time due to how addictive the gameplay is. With a vast world to explore, lots of mysterious drops and fun in-game events, as well as a very devoted group of active players, you’ll find yourself spending hours having an incredible amount of fun.
Now that we have talked about what makes Runescape so special, here are some places they have yet to improve.
1. In-Game Loot Tracker
Lots of players have advocated for a native loot tracker. It doesn’t affect the gameplay itself as much, but it would definitely be a quality-of-life change that makes the game more enjoyable in the long run. Currently, players mostly rely on third-party clients like RuneLite for these kinds of tasks.
2. Better Clue Scroll Interface
The UI for tracking clue scrolls and managing the progression is lacking compared to some other aspects of the game. Players have been asking regularly for a better-looking interface that can accurately track progress and be more helpful. While there are some third-party programs to do so, it’s a hassle to have to use them.
3. Quest Journal Rework
With the game having such a vast array of quests, it can be easy to get lost or overwhelmed. A clearer guide on what to do for certain quests or hints and text explaining things can be very helpful, especially to newer players. This goes double for longer and more complex quests that give little to no explanation.
4. More Bank Space
More bank space is something that has been requested far too frequently by the community. It’s a quality-of-life change that would do exactly that—improve the quality of life for players by adding expandable bank slots and more bank tabs. This is especially frustrating for Ironmen, who have to manage their already difficult gameplay with a lack of bank slots.
Ferran Fusalba Roselló on Unsplash
5. Cosmetic Overrides
While OSRS is an old-school graphics game, that doesn’t mean there aren’t players that enjoy cool cosmetics and good-looking armors and clothes. Adding cosmetic overrides to armor and weapon pieces without them changing stats and damage will definitely add another fun layer of engagement and farming for items. Some players stated they wouldn’t mind even paying for such a feature.
6. Clan Features
The clan interface definitely exists within the game, but it’s a very basic skeleton of what it could be. The lack of showing ranks, roles, limited clan customization, and an activity log can add so much with just one simple interface. It would be far less frustrating and a lot more organized to add this feature.
7. Group Ironman Tools
GIM players have heavily requested changes and updates to this way of playing the game. Things like shared storage and tracking teammate progress are just some of the things that will make this hardcore experience a bit more manageable. While the point of the Ironman run is to be extremely high-risk, these tools wouldn’t change that—only make it more appealing to give it a shot.
8. House Customization
Being able to customize your house is one of the most interesting features of a game for many players. New additions of house customization such as more room themes, better and more diverse lighting options, garden designs, exterior styles, and even interactive furniture are some of the features many players hope to see in the game one day. While not directly relevant to the game, it adds lots of flavor and a sense of the world being alive.
9. Daily Tasks
A thing most modern MMO games share is daily tasks, which are not really present in OSRS. This feature gives the more casual players a sense of accomplishment for finishing the quests every day and makes them feel like they don’t have to commit to hours of gameplay if they don’t have the time for it. This could also be a great way of farming some coins and a bit of experience, or even a skill upgrade.
10. DPS Tracker
An in-game DPS tracker is something that the game desperately needs. With the players having to rely on third-party plugins to keep track of this, a built-in tool would be an amazing addition that benefits PvM players and helps balance weapons and gear. On top of that, it’s always so fun to see the high damage numbers show up on the screen.
