RuneScape

"An honest review from a RuneScape user."

An MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game), created be Jagex, RuneScape is a fun, addicting, yet occasionally frustrating Online game with mediocre graphics. A lesser known game, thought to be terrible by many. While it's no WoW, RuneScape is a fun game made for some, opposed for others. While it may be free to be a user, you can become a full member with more privileges for $5 a month. For any further detail, continue reading. If this was enough to make a choice to play or not, stop and decide.
Warning: Long Review!

Gameplay: Great
RuneScape is fun and free to play, but can get repetitive. It's point-and-click, with Online chat with other users, though it still doesn't excel socially. Every time you die, you lose everything in your inventory except 3 things, which are either random or the best items you have, in theory. This can be frustrating, as it can get annoying and hard getting everything back after losing it. There are "Friendlists," which allows you to talk in private with said user or talk to them if you're in another world. Speaking of worlds, let me explain them. Although RuneScape is basically one big world, there are different ones. I, myself, do not fully understand the meaning of them, except the fact that having Member only worlds and free worlds separate the two types of users. To be in a Member only world, obviously, you have to become a Member, with a fine of $5 a month. Not a lot, but can still be hassle. RuneScape is like any other RPG. Swords, shields, armor, etc. It's easy to die if you're a low level or in the Wilderness, a place in RuneScape where other users fight, along with strong enemies. Certain things are very expensive and coins, the currency in RuneScape, can be hard to get. In this game, you can fish, create weapons of your own, dig, mine, make runes (which can be used as weapons in this game), do quests, etc. There's many different ways to fight. Close combat (sword, shield, mace, etc.), ranged (bows, arrows, certain magic), magic (spells, enchantments), and other ways. RuneScape is a great way to keep occupied for quite a while. Some people just have bad luck in it, then call it horrible. Don't trust said people. They're probably just frustrated. Gameplay is the most lengthy section, but it's finally over. (Yay) So let's move on.

Story: Varied
I put varied because there is no story to the game really, but there are stories to quests. The aren't deep or anything, they don't suck you in, but they give a general idea of what to do. Nothing else to say here, so let's move on.

Graphics: Depends
I put depends because, obviously, it depends. Depends on what graphics you're comparing with. If you're comparing to PS1 graphics, these are better. If you're comparing to GCN graphics, worse. If you're comparing to a next-gen console, terrible. Graphics are 3D and are pretty good for an MMORPG that's not WoW. Graphics aren't too bad, but they could be better. Moving right along...

Sound/Music: Abnormal, but good
As the score insists, the sound is weird, but can be good. It's Medieval times music, so it's going to be weird. When you hear music, it's added to your "Jukebox," so you can play it any time you want. You can turn off the music, and it changes as you go to different places. Not a lot more to say, so we're leaving... Now.

Control: Easy
Again, the name says it all. This game has a rotate-able camera angle, a compass, map, etc. A public and private chat system. (Public: Type the massage, then press "Enter" on the keyboard; Private: choose a user from your "Friendlist," right-click, choose "Message [Username]," type the message, then press "Enter" on the keyboard.) When you go North of the map, you enter the Wilderness, which I have explained. Be careful there... 0_o ....... Let's move on.

User-friendly?: Usually
Most curse words are censored with *s, but some aren't. Users are usually friendly. They'll usually help you on quests, and some will give you free things. (Bless them.) Overall, this game is user-friendly much over half the time. The other half, people will be calling each other, and you, "noob," which gets annoying. If this happens, you can choose "Report Abuse" to make Jagex aware of what the user is doing. Don't call them "noob" back.

Character Creation: Scarce choices
Once again, the name says it all. Character Creation is a choice on RuneScape, but it doesn't have a lot of choices. Hair, arms, shirt, legs, pants, feet, etc. That's all here. Moving along...

Interface: Simple
Yes, the interface is simple. You've got your menu on the right. In it is combat details, skill levels, quest, items, accessory info, spells, and enchantments on the top; buddy list, ignore list, log out, options, character emotions, and "Jukebox" on the bottom. Under the game screen is options to choose like "Report Abuse." Above the game screen are more choices like "World Selection" or "World Map." That's about all. Let's just continue on forward... Now... Go... Why are you still reading this?! Continue! .................. GO!

Price: Free...
... With a choice to be a Member with more privileges for $5 a month or $60 a year. That's all there is to it. Moving right along...

Server/Online Connection: Occasional lag
Most of the time the connection is good. Though, occasionally, there is lag. When this happens, lag usually lasts about 5-10 minutes for me. Lag is rare, but when it happens, I usually log out and come back later. That is all here. Continuing...

Availability: Good
RuneScape is Java-based and almost every computer can read it. The game is free. You can pay $5 dollars a month for it, but it is not suggested by me. Sure, you get new quests, new skills land, items sound effects, and generally an edge over free version players, there is more than enough to do free version. You can always interact with other people and the game is still fun. I'm currently free version and I'm happy with it. We now continue... *Motions to move on*

Fun Factor: High
There is a lot of things to do in this game like fishing, smithing, fighting, trading, chatting, and many more! If you ignore the people always saying "noobs,' keep out of the Wilderness at a low level, and enjoy this game for what it is, not what they say it is (bad), you'll find it very fun and addicting.

PROS AND CONS
In this section, I will list the PROS (Good points) and CONS (Bad points).

PROS:
-- Good enough graphics
-- Character Creation
-- Online Chat
-- "Friendlists"
-- User-friendly
-- Addicting
-- Good sound/music
-- Variable stories, some good... (See "CONS": 3rd tick)
-- Great gameplay

CONS:
-- Annoying/frustrating death aftermath
-- Censoring may lead to misunderstandings
-- ... Some bad.
-- Occasional lag
-- Can be hard to find specific places
-- Can be repetitive

Buy or Rent
This game has no "Buy or Rent" thing going on.. How about.: Play or Not Play? Well, I think play. As for: Free Version or Member? Well, I think free version. It's plenty fun without paying.

And the longest review I've ever written in one sitting comes to an end. At this point, my fingers hurt, I'm tired, and I'm so happy I'm done. If this didn't help you, I'm mad... Very, very mad... Well, I'm done and that's all that matters. ^_^ Farewell for now.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/22/07