is a role-playing that was released in 2001 by Jagex. In this , players can move up levels by fighting monsters, explore vast instances and wildernesses, hone skills such as mining, smith their own armor, collecting vanity items, and engage in a wide range of other exciting activities.
Based on the fictional world of Gielinor, this MMO of the Middle Ages can be downloaded and played on a computer or played via a browser. It’s free to play the , so you can log onto the site, create an account, and start playing without having to download anything. You can play RS3 (the more ), , or even on mobile devices.
While you can play the for free, you can also pay for membership at $9 a month and access new skills, several new quests, a housing system, as well as get a much bigger world to explore. So if you are one of the biggest , this is a must.
If you’re already done with and want to try a different with the same and style, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ve put together the best -like games you can enjoy in your downtime.
1. Rift
Rift is a formidable rival of the Warcraft series. It’s a free fantasy, action-adventure, browser-based, massively multiplayer online action role-playing game (MMO RPG) set in the fictional world of Telara, the central element between water, air, fire, life, death, and earth. The Rift may be one of the 6 elements with their own unique qualities.
The Rift story revolves around a deadly battle between two of the strongest factions—the Defiant and the Guardians. In the game, Rifts have a huge level of significance. They keep happening at any place in Telara, and you have to quell them before that place is populated by rivals.
The Rift can only be played on Microsoft Windows.
2. Project Gorgon
Runescape and many other similar games allow the player to choose a character that falls into one group. For example, if you choose knight or sorcerer, you’ll get access to the whole gear that matches the character. This suggests that a character has only one set of skills.
That is why Project Gorgon’s a great alternative to Runescape and other similar games. You can elect to play a character with various skills instead of restricting yourself to only one skill.
Features like the fantasy theme, active community, large open world, large quests, and various skills make the game feel like Runescape.
3. Runes of Magic
This is one of the best fantasy MMO games, which is a very to Runescape when it comes to design, features, and community size.
If you’re into the fantasy game world but want something extra than Runescape, then go for Runes of Magic. It’s a great choice, as long as you’re fine with a downloaded version.
Runes of Magic features several races, a decent collection of character classes (10), as well as well-designed housing and pet systems that add loads of life to the average multiplayer online game adventure.
Although the focus is purely towards player vs environment within the community, it also has a wide range of player vs player options for those who don’t want to go down that route.
With Runes of Magic, you’ll experience a massively multiplayer online game renowned for upgrading its content.
4. Dofus
Dofus is a tactical, turn-oriented, flash-based massively multiplayer online role playing game that changed a great deal since it was released. Unlike other similar games, Dofus is not for free. You need to pay a monthly fee to enjoy the game to the fullest.
Based on the Field of Twelve, the selection of classes and environment is one of the most attractive features of Dofus. It’s also got lots of character customization options, giving you a more unique experience compared to other multiplayer online role playing game options.
Once you become familiar with the farming and crafting systems Dofus contains, you’ll be able to get Kamas to buy Orgrines that’ll let you subscribe for a specific time.
5. Wakfu
This massively multiplayer online role-playing game was created by Ankama Games, the same company that developed Dufus. It’s known for its cartoon-like design and tactical turn-based combat. At least that’s what it provides at first glance, but when you get inside, you’ll find an enormous farming and crafting system.
In Wakfu, online players participate in epic adventures with millions of gamer fans around the globe. Armed with magic and weapons, they must find their way through a brutal, open world through either politics or battle in a bid to seize control of the Wakfu islands.
6. World of Warcraft
This massively multiplayer online role-playing game hardly requires an introduction. Released in 2004 by Blizzard, World of Warcraft is arguably the most popular online role-playing game.
In 2016, a new version was released followed by another one in 2017.
World of Warcraft offers everything you might want from an online role-playing game, including lots of online players, ever-updating content, fun in-game mechanics, and so much more.
The only downside is that if you’re just getting started, you’ll need to pay about $240 for your first year.
7. Mortal Online
Mortal Online is a multiplayer online role-playing game that gives you the experience of player vs player or player vs environment in the sandbox category. If you want a difficult game in which survival is essential, and you need your A-game to survive, then go for Mortal Online.
Needless to say, the game is browser-based and is a goldmine of fantasy and rich content that gets better and better as the adventure unfolds. You begin with the basics, and gradually learn how to survive there. With your skills, you create essential tools for killing or hunting down creatures that want to kill you.
8. Black Desert Online
This multiplayer online game lets you be a hero caught between the battles of two rival kingdoms fighting for political power.
Black Desert Online was released in 2014 and was specifically created to offer high rendering speeds required to ensure the world seamlessly blends together. This involves castle sieges, large scale battles, and other varieties of epic fights that let you truly put your hero credentials to the test.
9. ArcheAge
ArcheAge like other MMO games abounds with content, which is actually one of its most exciting features. In terms of addictive gameplay, you’ll get a wholly different approach that’ll keep you engaged for hours.
ArcheAge features an independent progression approach, meaning that you have the freedom to pick your pathway. From the start, you don’t have to join any clan or choose any class.
When you advance and get better at it, you can choose different abilities and skill sets and pick one out of four classes. Moreover, you can pick gender too.
If you want to customize your character, you’re absolutely free to do so.
10. EverQuest 2
If you’re a fan of EverQuest, you’ll surely like its sequel EverQuest 2. In this game, you’ll enjoy a Runescape-like experience free of charge.
The entire game is set in the world of Norrath but, unlike the previous game, it offers a different storyline with a new set of characters. It’s a classic game, thanks to its more diverse strategy for classes and races, as well as innovative customization mechanism.
You can create teams with inexperienced players and let them use a few of your skills. With its numerous features, EverQuest 2 is still widely popular among MMO gamers around the world.
11. Neverwinter
Created by Coptic Studios, this free massively multiplayer online game was first released by Perfect World Entertainment in 2013.
To play the game, you must follow the story, which started after the Last Lord disappeared. After his disappearance, the kingdom fell into chaos. Amid supremacy battles, the dead rose and started attacking people. Your mission as a player is to find out what the dead are after.
Neverwinter also offers a special feature. You’re given an opportunity to create new different locations that don’t need to acquiesce to the lore.
12. Wartune
A thousand years ago, one god named Yaros brought the war to the Yaloran Empire. That war turned the land barren, and it’s upon you to fight Yaros and save humanity.
Wartune offers beautiful 2D artwork, three classes, and according to some people, it’s completely free of charge. Until recently, the game was considered a pay-to-play game.
But developers have reportedly sorted out this problem, and you can easily advance through Wartune without paying a dime.
13. Eternal Lands
This free-to-play multiplayer online role-playing game is based on a fantasy world of the Middle Ages. It offers three races. You’ll get more races if you go for the paid version.
Two things set this game apart from all other multiplayer online role-playing games. First of all, it has no classes. You can learn all the skills available and find a play style that suits you. Another great feature of Eternal Lands is that it’s open-source.
It allows the community to edit, add, and modify the game whichever way they want. For this reason, the game was in a beta phase for quite a while, but it’s completely playable now.
14. Stendhal
This open-source free-to-play MMORPG Genre game offers gameplay that feels like Runescape. It offers lots of room for combat and exploration and allows you to enjoy both players vs player and player vs environment mechanics.
Some of the amazing features of Stendhal include trading, completing quests, and in-depth strategy. The fantastic visual approach, fairly standard gameplay, and overall feel make Stendhal stand out as a great alternative to Runescape. It provides diversity in both customization aspects and character selection.
15. Cabal Online
If you love player vs player and player vs environment with Combo form of combat mechanics, you’ll truly enjoy Cabal Online. It has 3D graphics and allows you to enjoy a wonderful combination of MMO game and role-playing game basics.
Set in fictional Nevereth, Cabal Online has a powerful back-story. It revolves around a disastrous event that occurred several centuries ago. The same event is set to occur, and Nevereth is sinking in despair again.
You can choose characters from several character archetypes, including wizards, warriors, archers, shielders, and bladers. With extremely immersive gameplay, enhanced mechanics, and 3D visuals, Cabal Online is certainly worth a try if you like playing Runescape.
16. Villagers and Heroes
Also called A Mystical Land, Villagers and Heroes are a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The game offers content with in-depth gameplay and simple mechanics. With an experience that feels like Runescape, Villagers, and Heroes lets you enjoy tons of exciting activities and freedom of exploration.
It offers you a range of professions and lets you mould your character with various customization options. You’re free to pick your character from one of four classes: wizards, warriors, hunters, and priests. All of the characters have their own unique strengths.
Unlike other MMORPG Genre games, Villagers and Heroes provide more activities. It lets you collect craft, collect resources, trade things, and create your own virtual house. You can also build and look after a farm, rear animals, and trade your items in the markets within the game.
It allows you to enjoy a selection of different lines of work, including plant lores, smiths, gardeners, cooks, tailors, woodcutters, fishers, miners, bug lore, and ranchers. You can play the game online, on your computer, or on your Android smartphone.
17. Drakensang Online
Drakensang Online is a wonderful multiplayer browser-based marvel game developed by Bigpoint Games and greatly inspired by Diablo game series. With a diverse range of core elements, it offers lots of leeway for the gameplay, as well as four characters: knights, dwarves, rangers, and mages. Each character comes with its own unique specialties and skills.
Drakensang Online takes you back to the medieval era, where you must save the world from the monsters. After the prince is kidnapped, an ancient dragon is on the verge of venting its fury on the poor souls. As the game’s main character, you’re their sole hope for survival.
18. Guild Wars 2
Developed by ArenaNet, Guild Wars 2 is an upgrade on the previously popular, original Guild War game. This free-to-play version lets you build characters from a mix of 8 professions and five races. This will determine a character’s skills.
You’ll be tasked with reuniting Destiny’s Edge members, in order to fight Elder Dragon, the mighty Zhaitan.
19. Path of Exile
Path of Exile is set in fictional Wraeclast—a horrible fantasy world with unwanted people and criminals. It’s a free-to-play game that was developed by Grinding Gear Gamers and released in 2013.
As a player, you have to find your way out of the remote Wraeclast world by fighting its dangerous people and pass through the ruins of a jinxed empire. You can choose from 6 classes, and each class is aligned with at least one attribute.
20. Tibia
This is one of the oldest ever massively multiplayer online role-playing games. It was released on January 1997 and still boasts an active community today.
Tibia famously features a door which can only be unlocked when a player reaches level 999. Someone finally unlocked the door in 2016 and was sent to a new isle full of NPCs. The game almost entirely focuses on player vs player combat and comes in 4 different types.
While there are lots of shiny new multiplayer online games out there, Tibia still draws a massive following. A combination of great player vs player action and smart role-playing game mechanics has enlivened the game, making it a hit for role-playing fans, and for people who want to understand how Runescape first came into existence.
21. Last Chaos
This is a classic multiplayer online role-playing game with six classes to select from. You can create parties, craft, and guilds, as well as own pets and solve quests.
Quests are largely repetitive in the mould of “Kill 20 Monsters”. You can update your gear by getting upgrade stones from a shop, other players, or monsters.
But Last Chaos offers a bit more in the shape of pets. You can fantastically versatile pets, including dragons, horses, polar bears, jaguars, pandas, and succubae.
22. Eldevin
This is a free-to-play Runescape-like game. While the graphics look slightly dated on first viewing, Eldevin has plenty to offer once you give it a try.
Eldevin boasts extensive talent trees, which let you completely modify your hero’s skills, as well as a wide range of story-focused quests to complete and a vast world to explore. You can also choose one out of 16 professions, and create anything you might need during and after combat.
23. Serenia Fantasy
This game is widely popular as it adds extra features of Runescape-like games and takes massively multiplayer online role-playing gaming to a whole new level with its 2D approach. It’s been on the internet since 2012, and you can play it on your browser. It has all the features you can expect from Runescape.
Serenia Fantasy MMORPG game offers slightly limited options when it comes to characters and customization. However, it offers diverse gender choices and three classes of characters with archetypes like rangers, mages, and warriors. Another amazing feature of this game is the comprehensive encyclopedia that teaches you about the environment and monsters.
In general, the Serenia Fantasy MMORPG game is highly satisfying with its stunning visuals, innovative gameplay, and a powerful back-story.
24. AdventureQuest Worlds
In AdventureQuest Worlds, you’ve got four different characters to choose from, like a mage, warrior, healer, and rogue. After choosing a character, you play one game and fight enemies.
AdventureQuest Worlds is one of those Runescape-like games, where the developer makes a bit of effort in making it user-friendly for the gamer. It’s got lots of adventures, styles, hunts, and an incredible adventure ride.
25. Dark Eden
This Runescape-like game is one of the oldest multiplayer online games on the market. It offers a diversity of elements and features that let you have a different line up of characters.
In Dark Eden, you can choose to be slayers or vampires. It’s stunning old-fashioned visuals, questing elements, skill classes, versatility in exploration, and unique characters make it a much better multiplayer online game.
Dark Eden has a combat element that offers the specific skill to each character and focuses on the fight visual. Depending on your strength and how many enemies you’ve killed, you can garner experience points and use them to get upgrades on characters and weapons.
The best features of DarkEden include fast-paced gameplay, a compelling back-story, character class-specific abilities, dark theme, and day and night cycles. DarkEden can only be played on Microsoft Windows.
Honorable Mentions:
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- Fallout 76
- Final Fantasy
- Ultima Online
- Diablo
- Albion Online
- Pocket Legends
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Is RuneScape worth Playing in 2021?
Answer: Despite being over 20 years old, Runescape is still a popular MMORPG game in 2021. In fact, the game has experienced a massive spike in player growth since its twentieth anniversary on January 4th. So, if you were tempted to try this MMORPG before, now is your chance!
Question: Is Runescape Pay to Win?
Answer: Yes, and No. While you can enjoy this MMORPG game and storyline for free and be as good as the rest, there are certain quests, skills, and adventures that are unlocked primarily by paying.
Question: Is Runescape Better than WoW?
Answer: While the World of Warcraft has never had, neither will have any successors in terms of success and fanbase, but, for some people, Runescape is certainly more fun than WoW. That’s primarily because there are more diverse and challenging quests in comparison to WoW where the game is meant to be played at the highest level.
The Takeaway
Most of the Runescape-like games discussed above are free of charge. For those that require a subscription, you’ll only need to pay a nominal fee. Whenever you have time to spare, you should give some of these games a whirl.
Further Comparisons
- The Best Games Like Gone Home Worth Trying
- 25 Best Games Like Diablo Worth Trying [2020]: Diablo Alternatives
- Top 25 Best Games Like Age of Empires
- Best Games Like Skyrim Worth Playing: Skyrim Alternatives [2021]
- Elder Scrolls Online vs Skyrim Comparison
- 25 Best Games Like Civilization [2020]: Civilization Alternatives
- The Best Games Like Banished – Top Alternatives to Consider!
