Old School RuneScape

Old School RuneScape is a popular MMORPG set in the fantasy world of Gielinor, featuring thrilling quests, skilling activities, and PvP combat. Players can create their unique characters, explore vast landscapes, and interact with a vibrant community of fellow adventurers. With its open-world design, endless content, and frequent updates, Old School RuneScape offers an immersive and engaging experience for both new and veteran players.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,000 reviews

graphics88 positive mentions

grinding264 negative mentions

The game captures the nostalgia of the original Runescape experience, providing a seamless transition from PC to mobile.
The app runs smoothly and is easy to use, making it convenient for skilling and casual gameplay on the go.
The community is friendly and helpful, enhancing the overall experience for both new and returning players.

The app frequently experiences connection issues, often logging players out or failing to connect to the server.
The controls can be clunky and imprecise, making it difficult to perform actions quickly, especially in combat situations.
There are persistent bugs, such as the chat box glitching and the screen freezing, which detract from the gameplay experience.

graphics
339 mentions
26 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely described as outdated, reflecting its origins from the early 2000s, which some players find charming and nostalgic, while others see it as a significant drawback. Many reviews highlight that the visuals are simplistic and low-quality, yet they run smoothly on mobile devices, allowing for an enjoyable gameplay experience. There are calls for improved graphics options, particularly for newer devices, but the consensus is that the gameplay and content outweigh the graphical limitations.
- “Visually, I'm impressed by the graphics on mobile and that they have kept it true to home.”
- “That said, the resolution upgrade and general graphical improvements make it a much prettier sight.”
- “The charm of the graphics and midi-styled music really hits home and never gets old to me.”
- “The graphics are poor and the text in the game is very hard to read.”
- “Graphics are absolutely terrible.”
- “The graphics are so bad, it looks so old.”
story
316 mentions
27 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story aspect of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is highly praised for its depth and variety, featuring hundreds of well-written quests that offer unique narratives and engaging challenges. Players appreciate the nostalgic charm and the opportunity to explore a vast world filled with lore, although some express frustration over the lack of quest helper tools on mobile, which can complicate gameplay. Overall, the quests are seen as a significant draw, providing a rich and immersive experience that keeps players invested in the game.
- “The quests are actual story-driven narratives that have impacts on the world; you know actual quests, not just kill x.”
- “There are so many things to do, the quests and all the fun things you can do and make friends is just wonderful!”
- “Great storytelling tied into a beautiful fantasy world that doesn't take itself too seriously - what more could you ask for?”
- “The only issue is, you are unable to adjust the font size and the text is too small, and a lot of the game is based around being able to do quests and so on, which the text is required.”
- “Can't even do a quest without the entire game crashing; again, it's one of the easiest games to run and you can't even make it work right.”
- “It's confusing when you are left in an open world with quests to complete; none of the buildings are named, at least have a yellow marking on the map... uninstalling it.”
gameplay
300 mentions
31 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) on mobile has been generally well-received, with many players appreciating its nostalgic mechanics and smooth performance that closely mirrors the PC experience. However, some users have noted issues with touch controls, grindiness, and the pay-to-win model, which can hinder accessibility and enjoyment for new players. Overall, while the game offers extensive content and engaging gameplay, improvements in user interface and mechanics are desired to enhance the mobile experience.
- “Gameplay is just as I remember it, and the mobile version is awesome for skilling on the go!”
- “The gameplay is great, all I want in a game, but there's a few problems here, first the huge pay-to-play wall here, half the game isn't even accessible on a free-to-play game, and I'd really like a quest marker; other than that, it's a fun game.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and consumption is low.”
- “Gameplay is definitely not for everyone; it is an extremely grindy game.”
- “The gameplay is mind-numbingly boring, and its pay-to-win aspect is so aggressive that you have to pay an overpriced monthly subscription just to craft stuff and enjoy the game.”
- “The gameplay is too slow compared to new RS; the least they could do is not ruin a lot of hard work people had to do to buy party hats or Santa hats.”
grinding
265 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a significant focus, with many players noting its tedious and time-consuming nature, often describing it as a hallmark of the experience. While some appreciate the sense of accomplishment that comes from grinding skills and levels, others find it excessively repetitive and frustrating, particularly on mobile due to control limitations. Overall, the game caters well to those who enjoy grinding, offering a nostalgic and rewarding experience, but it may not appeal to players seeking a more dynamic or less grind-heavy gameplay.
- “Everything about OSRS is so boring and tedious; this is without a doubt the worst game I've ever played.”
- “The game is mostly boring because of the endless grinding that must be done to level.”
- “This game is a logistical nightmare and a grindfest for the sake of grinding.”
stability
144 mentions
37 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
63 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game on mobile has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent freezing, lag, and crashes, particularly after recent updates. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay with minimal issues, a significant number have expressed frustration over persistent bugs that hinder their gaming experience. The inconsistency in performance across different devices further complicates the stability aspect, leading to a generally negative perception among users.
- “The client runs great and the game is as fun as it ever was.”
- “It runs great on almost any Android device, the controls are almost flawless and cross-platform with PC.”
- “Amazing game, runs great on the app and is well implemented.”
- “Luckily it eventually unfreezes after about 30 seconds, but the consistent freezing severely limits the activities you can do.”
- “Mobile has been very buggy lately... like within 30 seconds of signing on it's 5fps and doesn't fix itself. I tried redownloading the app twice with no success; it doesn't look like it's going to get better as it's been over a week already.”
- “I love this game, but it freezes on the King's Ransom quest.”
optimization
115 mentions
55 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game on mobile devices receives mixed feedback. While many users report smooth performance and intuitive controls, some experience significant lag and performance issues, particularly on specific devices. There are calls for further optimization, especially regarding the user interface and touch controls, to enhance the mobile gaming experience.
- “The mobile app is actually wonderfully optimized and doesn't suck up a ton of data if you're playing off of Wi-Fi.”
- “The mobile port is unbelievably optimized, the game is surprisingly smooth and the controls are integrated in a way that makes navigating menus very easy.”
- “Perfectly optimized for mobile, zero lag and as fun as it was for me 16 years ago.”
- “As of today I am having major performance issues, the game is so laggy that it is basically unplayable.”
- “I was an original RuneScape player, loved it. The controls are really bad and frankly it's sad it took this long to release after the announcement. All they did was port it; there is no optimization for the phone. You go to use your prayer or magic and you can never click on the proper one. They should have a scroll bar and bigger icons instead of cramming 100 icons on one drop menu the size of your thumb.”
- “This game is very poorly optimized for mobile.”
monetization
87 mentions
20 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
46 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is largely praised for its lack of intrusive ads and microtransactions, offering a substantial amount of free content while providing optional membership for enhanced features. Players appreciate that the game avoids the common pitfalls of mobile games, such as pay-to-win mechanics and aggressive monetization strategies, making it feel like a genuine gaming experience. However, some users express concerns about occasional ads and the perception of a cash grab through membership fees, though overall, the game is seen as a refreshing alternative in the mobile gaming landscape.
- “I like this game a lot, and I think it is really nice that there is a lot of free content and no ads.”
- “Best free game on mobile for not only feeling like an actual game but also not being overwhelmed and bogged down by manipulative microtransactions.”
- “Finally a mobile game that doesn't gouge you with shady microtransactions.”
- “This game strikes me as a bit of a cash grab in the era of loot boxes and pay-to-play games.”
- “The old style is how I remember it, but this version puts a cap on your progress, so if you don't pay, you don't get the full game.”
- “As soon as I downloaded this app, I get nothing but ads all over my phone, even when the app is not running.”
music
54 mentions
30 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its nostalgic charm and quality, with many players expressing a deep emotional connection to the soundtrack. However, numerous users are experiencing frustrating technical issues, as the game often fails to load properly, resulting in a black screen while the music continues to play. Despite these problems, the overall sentiment remains positive regarding the music, which is considered a standout feature of the game.
- “The charm of the graphics and midi-styled music really hits home and never gets old to me.”
- “The music is just a burst of nostalgia.”
- “The world's massive, the gameplay is enticing, and the music is amazing.”
- “Just sits in a black screen with the music playing in the background.”
- “It's frustrating just hearing the background music but no display at all... just a black screen.”
- “Game won't load, music plays but I just get a black screen.”
humor
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its entertaining characters, quirky quests, and hidden comedic dialogue with NPCs, which contribute to a charming and nostalgic experience. Players appreciate the blend of absurdity and wit, with many finding the game's writing and community interactions particularly funny. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay, making it addictive and enjoyable while maintaining the game's original charm.
- “Funny and entertaining characters and quests.”
- “Hidden nuggets of humorous dialog with NPCs.”
- “I honestly lol at the writing, very funny stuff.”
emotional
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as deeply impactful and often heartbreaking, with players highlighting the wholesome nature of its online community. Many users appreciate the game's ability to evoke strong feelings and foster connections, making it a highly recommended experience, despite some minor technical issues. Overall, it offers a rich emotional journey that resonates with players.
- “Heartbreaking.”
- “One of the most wholesome online communities there is.”
- “Endless world if you want it or just a little token of wholesome content if that's all you want.”
replayability
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game's exceptional replayability, noting its endless possibilities and rewarding content that justifies the time investment. The ongoing updates and improvements enhance the overall experience, making it particularly well-suited for mobile play.
- “Tons of content, replayability, rewarding for the time investment in the game.”
- “I recommend this game due to the endless possibilities, and the replayability is unlike any game I've ever played.”
- “OSRS' gameplay is almost perfect for mobile - it's passive, slow but steady, and there's a lot of replayability.”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with character development due to issues with account access, resulting in the loss of previously earned looks, levels, gear, and items, which detracts from their overall experience.
- “I tried to log onto my old account, but I was taken to character design and lost everything: my looks, levels, gear, and items.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I expected more depth in character progression, but it seems like the choices I make have little impact on the story.”