Old School RuneScape Takes “Old Is Gold” To A Whole New Level

RuneScape is a name 2000s kids will be well familiar with. As the internet took its first steps, gaming also started going “online,” and the result was the glorious era of MMORPGs. I still remember the day I first got into RuneScape back in 2006. Coming from World of Warcraft, the experience was unique in its own way, but the epic sense of growth in a massive virtual world, that classic MMO feeling, was all the same. In a way, games like RuneScape and WoW practically engineered this whole genre, and that’s no small feat.

This medieval fantasy fueled by a pretty elaborate gold farming incentive started as a browser-based game, but over time, grew to be one of the largest MMOs ever. After all, a simple yet addicting game that demanded no fancy hardware in a time when beefy PCs were a rarity sure sounded pretty appealing back then. In it’s own, simple ways, RuneScape managed to keep you hooked for hours, and that hasn’t changed even today. That, and Old School RuneScape just sweetened the whole deal with some pretty powerful nostalgia.

Old School RuneScape: A Blast To The Past

RuneScape was supposed to be a text-based game, but decided to go graphical in the end. Compared to other games of its time, the graphics in RuneScape weren’t all that amazing. It was a browser game after all. RuneScape advocated simplicity and accessbility. Easy to get into it, and not too detailed visually, but it hid a deceptive amount of gameplay depth and engagement below this cover. The simple tasks of questing, killing monsters, growing custom characters and farming gold were given a sense of purpose and incentive.

Still, RuneScape kept graphical evolution in mind as the years went by. The first major update, called RuneScape 2, launched in 2004, which took things up quite a few notches. Graphical development continued, and in 2013, we got RuneScape 3, by which point RuneScape just looked like a whole new game. Of course, improved visuals are appreciated, but if you ask me, amidst all these graphical changes, the game somehow lost its inconic look and feel.

The problem with Runescape 3.
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And apparently, I wasn’t the only one who thought RuneScape was what it was in part due to how it looked. Developer Jagex understood, and launched a whole different game, called Old School RuneScape. Well, it wasn’t a “different” game per se, as it’s basically the 2007 RuneScape saved in time, but it sure did the trick. To this day, Old School RuneScape is a lot more popular than the “original” variant; the player count sure reflects this. What is it that makes OSRS so amazing? Well, why don’t you boot up the game and see for yourself? It would be a good idea to buy OSRS items instead of conventional trading.

Retaining The Identity With A Modern Touch

Old School RuneScape is RuneScape just like you remember. It’s the game you know and love, but one that has evolved without forsaking its roots. A game forever stuck in 2007 might not have lived till the present day, and OSRS really considered this. Jagex has managed to slowly improve and grow the game with frequent updates, content variety, seasonal updates, a unique stance on real-world trading, and user friendliness, all the while retaining the core idea and gameplay depth of the original.

Now is a great time to try out Old School Runescape
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If you ask me, Old School RuneScape is an excellent example of how to revive a classic game and keep it operational for years. Today, both RuneScape and OSRS operate side-by-side, yet both provide a different kind of entertainment. RuneScape has more modern design philosophies built into it, while OSRS stays true to its name. It appeals to your nostalgic feeling and drives you in, but unlike games that rely purely on nostalgia, there’s a lot to enjoy here even when the initial wave of fondness passes.

OSRS is a pretty good mix of classic design and modern gameplay progress. I’ve truly enjoyed some of the newer events and seasonal content in Old School RuneScape. Playing through these, you know stuff like this wouldn’t have been possible back in 2007, but it’s presentation style and execution makes you feel like a kid again. Jagex has really created something incredible here. Even after 19 years, I haven’t been able to shed my RuneScape addiction, and I’m happy about it.