By With continuous subscription price hikes and the in-game ad controversy, Runescape developers are on the path to becoming the Adobe of game developers.
Runescape is a unique game but Jagex’s repeated blackmailing of the player base is beyond disgusting. Enough is enough, let’s find a great Runescape alternative for you to try this year.
While it’s certainly difficult to find a game like Runescape, I came across a few games that offer a similar vibe. Runescape is mainly about life-skilling and questing. And the games on this list do a great job of offering both.
Have a look.
1. Albion Online
Albion Online is the closest thing you’ll get to a Runescape alternative. This game looks and feels a lot like Runescape but in a different way.
Albion Online is a sandbox MMO that lets you play the game however you like. It features a somewhat interesting questline that you can enjoy solo, has tons of life-skilling to level up, has different professions to try out, and even includes PVP stuff.
Albion Online is free to play but there are some pay-to-win elements to it. I enjoyed the game for a while, mainly because I can cross-play the game using my PC and mobile.
2. Project Gorgon
If you’re going after that classic computer game vibe of the original Runescape, then this game will be right up your alley. Project Gorgon is an old-school MMO-style game that features retro-style graphics and a lot of life-skilling, just like Runescape.
The game also features lots of questing with NPCs that give out quests and rewards. The best part is that the game has a free demo that you can try out before buying the game.
3. Guild Wars 2
Even though Guild Wars 2 doesn’t have the life-skilling aspect of Runescape, it features tons of questing to keep you busy for months. Unlike Runescape, you can buy GW2 for a one-off price along with its DLCs and enjoy it for years.
GW2 features some of the most creative mechanics, including the jump puzzles that the game is well-known for. GW2 also has a free trial version with limited access.
4. World of Warcraft
I know it doesn’t make sense to ditch one subscription-based game for another, but at least Blizzard doesn’t have plans to introduce in-game ads in WoW.
If you’re willing to pay the subscription, WoW will offer you countless hours of questing and fun battles. WoW also has a free trial version but personally, I recommend you to try Guild Wars 2 before jumping into WoW.
5. Valheim
Valheim is not exactly an MMORPG. It’s not even in the same genre as Runescape. But for some reason, many Runescape players recommend this as a great alternative.
Valheim does feature a similarly janky play style with somewhat classic-looking graphics. It also has lots of questing and life-skilling that will get you going. On top of that, you will be able to put your creativity to the test with building houses and structures as well.
6. Elder Scrolls Online
ESO is one of the favorite MMORPGs. This game may not look anything like Runescape but it has some of the coolest quests you’ll ever find.
I’ve played ESO solo for many years and I still haven’t completed the entire map. The game has thousands of side-quests, achievements, and skills to master. It will take at least a couple of years for you to complete all the DLCs.
ESO usually goes on sale with all the DLCs in a bundle for pretty cheap.
7. Everquest II
Everquest II is another classic game loved by many MMO players. This game also features classic questing gameplay with old-school graphics. Personally, I couldn’t get into this game but if you enjoy games like Runescape, this is not a bad alternative to try out.
Everquest II has a free-to-play version with limited access. But to get full access, you’ll have to pay for the subscription, which costs just as much as Runescape.
8. Black Desert Online
I’ll do anything to avoid paying for game subscriptions. I’ll even go as far as to play a P2W game like Black Desert Online. There, I said it.
Jokes aside, BDO is one of my favorite games. It does have a ton of P2W elements but those are only required if you want to play competitively. The game is solo-friendly and has tons of (hot) characters for you to play around with.
BDO also has life-skilling aspects, which are fun. The questing, however, doesn’t even come close to the quality of Runescape or ESO.
9. Project Zomboid
If you’re tired of all the BS of playing online games and MMOs, go give Project Zomboid a try. This indie game goes even more hardcore in terms of life-skilling than Runescape and it’s a ton of fun.
It takes place in a zombie apocalypse and your goal is to survive. You get to level up different skills to make your life easier. Sounds simple, but it’s pretty much like real life. Drinking the wrong type of water, running too fast, or even breaking a window is enough to get you killed in this game.
10. Stardew Valley
If Project Zomboid is too hardcore for you or if you much rather prefer a game with a chill vibe, there’s no game better than Stardew Valley. Even though this game is about farming, it has lots of other life skills to master.
There’s everything from fishing to mining, crafting, and even romancing in this game. A great thing about this game is that it’s available everywhere, including on Android, iOS, and Switch. You can play it everywhere you go and believe me, you will.
BONUS: Grim Dawn
If you’re willing to give a new genre a try, go and try out Grim Dawn. It’s an ARPG with a completely different vibe than Runescape. But it will keep you hooked for months.
This game is similar to games like Diablo 4 and Path of Exile but it’s way better because there’s not microtransactions, pay-to-win stuff, or even online connectivity issues. Grim Dawn is completely offline and single-player with optional co-op but offers tons of value in terms of replayability.
In Conclusion
You won’t find a game like Runescape anywhere. It’s a unique game with very addictive gameplay mechanics. And that is what made it such a successful game.
However, you shouldn’t let the developers manipulate you however they like just because you like their game. Boycott the game and show them that you, the player, hold the power. Play a couple of these Runescape alternatives in the meantime. And maybe, the developers will learn the lesson and revert back their changes.
