12 Best Games Like Runescape That You Should Know Update 04/2024

Games Like Runescape

Old School Runescape, developed by Jagex in 2013, allows users to relive the glory days of gormless character models and full loot PvP, when Runescape first released in 2001. While Runescape is an excellent MMORPG, if you’ve already seen and done all that it has to offer, you’re definitely looking for something new. The greatest games like Runescape that provide their own unique charms, fascinating leveling systems, and social networks are here for you to discover.

1. Legends of Aria

Legends of Aria

Legends of Aria is an excellent alternative to Runescape’s Old School version, which was developed by some of the crew behind Ultima, a pioneer in the MMORPG genre. Citadel Studios’ Legends of Aria offers an isometric perspective, a skill-based leveling system, and high-risk PvP for those searching for a classic experience.

After years of development, Steam Early Access was announced in August 2019 for the game. However, for an MMORPG, the player base of Legends of Aria is still limited, despite the game’s enormous realm. Even still, there’s a sense of dread associated with venturing out of familiar territory and putting your faith in complete strangers that dates back to the early days of the genre. In addition, there are player-created servers that cater to all tastes.

2. Ultima Online

There are, of course, moments when there is no substitute for the original. If your MMORPG time has been dominated by Runescape, you’ve likely missed out on one of the genre’s most important games. A wonderful feature about Ultima Online’s long life and devoted fan base is that it’s still around today.

First MMORPG to acquire 100,000 subscribers, Ultima Online gave users the freedom to play exactly how they wanted and the risk of falling victim to another player’s freedom to play exactly how they wanted. If you die, your assailant can take and sell all you have on you. Unless the intruder is an expert magician, you should be safe if you arrive home in time and secure the door. In 2020, Ultima Online appears to be exactly the same as it was in 1997, and perhaps that’s what’s kept it so popular with a cult following.

3. The Elder Scrolls Online

The Elder Scrolls Online

The Elder Scrolls Online is one of the best modern MMORPGs for people who don’t mind leaving the past in the past. The Elder Scrolls Online boasts one of the most active player bases in the genre (via BeStreamer) and is continuously encouraging you to join guilds and quest with other players if you’re a fan of Runescape’s social components.

For a more dramatic, action-focused MMO, The Elder Scrolls Online’s vast size, intricate dungeons, and strategic boss encounters never fail to delight. Runescape, on the other hand, has more holiday events and more life skills to level up.

4. Valheim

We propose Valheim if you’re seeking for an alternative to Runescape that isn’t an MMO or ARPG. If you can get past the genre differences, you’ll find a lot of parallels between the two games. There’s a particular freedom and openness to the environment reminiscent not only of Runescape, but of early-2000s MMOs in general, thanks to the experience system, which gradually rewards you for chores like mining and woodcutting. As an Early Access title, Valheim is also remarkably well-polished, making it an excellent opportunity to secure a copy before its price skyrockets upon full release.

5. Neverwinter

Neverwinter

MMORPG Neverwinter has one of the most active player bases in the genre today because it is free to play. As a result, Neverwinter has remained at the forefront of the genre since its inception in 2013. The game’s combat, character customization and levels, player-created adventures, and lore-based Dungeons & Dragons universe have kept it at the top of the heap since 2013.

Even though Neverwinter is a (largely) free-to-play game, it benefits from frequent and substantial updates that don’t need players to pay for access. Runescape players will feel right at home in Neverwinter’s rich, intricate fantasy universe, even if it isn’t as vast as the likes of World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy 14.

6. Albion Online

Albion Online, a brand-new MMORPG with a somewhat retro feel, was released in 2017 and is absolutely free to play. One of the best modern tributes to old-school MMOs still in existence is Albion Online, which features full loot PvP and a deep, player-driven economy with lucrative life skills.

Running away from settlements in games like Runescape and Ultima Online, as well as in early Diablo, was dangerous. While playing Albion Online, you’re always on guard against a wide range of dangers, from gankers who know what they’re doing to monsters that are beyond your abilities. Albion Online, for example, appeals to many MMO players, including myself, because of its emphasis on risk versus return. Albion Online is a must-play for Runescape enthusiasts who want to relive their glory days in a newer, more refined universe.

7. Black Desert Online

Black Desert Online

Even though Black Desert Online is one of the newest games on this list, it has already been widely praised and amassed a large following. While the normal MMO trappings are there and well-done in Black Desert Online – exploration, a large number of abilities/life skills, player events, etc. – the game stands out for its complicated combat, which necessitates accurate manual aiming and free mobility.

If the combat in Runescape isn’t your cup of tea, Black Desert Online provides a different kind of challenge, one that takes more than just good luck to succeed. There are a number of ways in which Black Desert Online deviates from the MMORPG standard, including things like as infrastructure-building and a day/night cycle. Black Desert Online is an MMORPG that’s more than worth downloading, thanks to its beautiful, huge setting and numerous character customization choices.

8. Diablo 3

In spite of the imminent arrival of Diablo 4, Diablo 3 continues to be a thrilling online action-RPG. For starters, it’s been around for a long time, and it’s now available on nearly every modern platform, making it a great moment to get in. However, despite its brighter, more colorful art approach, Diablo 3 builds on the success of its predecessors and innovates with a fluid skill system that keeps things interesting well into the endgame. On consoles that enable it, Diablo 3 is also a wonderful local co-op experience, so you’re set for Friday night with your lockdown friend.

9. Path of Exile

Path of Exile

If you’re a fan of Runescape but don’t want to play in a hugely multiplayer environment, Path of Exile is the best choice for you. Its unique barter-based economy, large and complex progression system, regular events, and real free-to-play business model have all been lauded in Path of Exile’s many updates since its initial launch in 2013.

Some Runescape fans may be put off by Path of Exile’s learning curve, but if you’ve got some spare time on your hands, you’ll be rewarded accordingly. So much content is packed into Path of Exile that it needs your full attention. Whether you’re playing the game’s progression system or not, there’s a lot to explore.

10. Project: Gorgon

MMORPGs, and Runescape in particular, are popular because of the level of freedom players have within their game worlds and systems. In Project: Gorgon, the limits are thrown out the window in the early stages of development. Runescape-like growth is achieved through leveling and learning new skills, but here you have an amazing variety of options.

It’s also possible to select to play a barn animal or write a book and donate it to a library, or jump into a lake when you’re on fire. If you’re a Runescape fan seeking for more content, there’s no better place to go than Project: Gorgon.

11. Wakfu

Wakfu

The MMORPG Wakfu deserves your attention if you don’t mind supporting a less well-known but no less inventive indie developer. Fans of RuneScape will appreciate the lightheartedness and comedy of Wakfu, but the game’s turn-based tactical fighting system, political structure, and ecological focus make it a unique and enjoyable experience.

There’s a significant emphasis on co-op, which makes playing with friends as enjoyable as questing with randoms, and the geography and weather design are lovely. Despite the fact that Wakfu has a limited player base, the game’s individual cities, monsters, character design, and fighting are all so unique that you’ll soon be raving about it to your friends.

12. World of Warcraft Classic

In case you haven’t heard, Blizzard has given World of Warcraft the same retro treatment with World of Warcraft Classic, which allows players to raid, loot, and PvP like it’s 2004. It’s the purest example of an MMORPG from what many consider the golden era of the genre if you travel back in time to January 2007. It’s even better because of the large community that came in at debut, reunited after so many years of changes, adding a real nostalgic enchantment that you won’t find anywhere else to the game. Blizzard’s World of Warcraft Classic was awarded the coveted Golden Joystick PC Game of the Year award for 2019 by GamesRadar+.

With an English degree from Arizona State University under my belt, I began freelancing for publications like as SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG while also working in the field of content management. Now that I’m a Staff Writer for GamesRadar, I’m responsible for managing the site’s west coast executive branch, which is just my apartment, and blogging about whatever horror game I’m too terrified to complete.