Old School RuneScape (OSRS) was the beloved game that connected us when we were kids. With an exhaustive array of in-game activities, afterschool hours never seemed dull. We’d escape the wrath of our parents by cleverly guising our gaming sessions as “research” for “tomorrows project” as we grinded out gold in the Al Kharid mining site. I still remember the feeling of total bliss when I finally crafted my first complete Rune armor set. After 17 years, the game is still free to play, and you can get 30 days free premium trial with a Twitch Prime membership. With a thriving community and a presence bigger than ever, there’s no better time to relive the sense of pride and accomplishment.
RuneScape was where the 13-year-old me first learned (through countless deaths) what “pwning noobs” meant. Adventurers with a keen nose for fortune were drawn to the Wilderness, where deadly mobs and – perhaps even more deadly – other players lurked. Many of us fondly remember hacking at our opponents with our steel swords, intermittently shoving a lobster in our faces to recover lost HP, then making a mad dash to safety when we run out of food, only to be pierced in the back by a deadly arrow. The risk of losing everything upon death was brutal and punishing, but the potential loot was equally rewarding.
There’s plenty more content to discover in the overworld as well. In addition to the plethora of minigames, player can enjoy an expanded story. Dragon Slayer II, the sequel to the first Dragon Slayer quest line, was released in January of this year. This story-driven quest extends the history and lore of Crandor island, and is a must play for players seeking the complete narrative. Another thrilling quest is Wintertodt, where the player aids the containment of the mysterious Howling Snow Storm while uncovering its secrets. These are just two of the many new quests added to the game.
Besides a richer story, you can expect a dazzling array of new cosmetics, armor, and weapons. Want to look like a zombie skeleton? Get the Ankou armor set. Or maybe you’re looking for your next endgame sword? Check out the Ghrazi rapier. In the past 17 years, over 2,200 pieces of weapon, armor, minigames, and quests were added to the base game. If you have an idea for the next content update, go make a post at the community polls; it’s the foundation for all RuneScape updates going forward.
Players looking for a hardcore challenge can enter the Ironman and Deadman game modes. Ironman mode bars you from player interactions including trading, using the Grand Exchange market, PVP, and all group activities. It forces you to painstakingly gather rare ingredients and gear without relying on others. The Deadman mode is hosted on special servers and offers open PVP. The prize for surviving through the brutal world is five times experience gain, and it’s the only game mode where you can purchase the Deadman armor set – using the Blood Money dropped by your defeated opponents, of course.
The popularity of Old School RuneScape has already breached the eSports scene. Every few months, the top 2,000 players are invited to participate in the Seasonal Deadman Invitational tournament. Each player has a week to build his character from zero to compete in a deathmatch on the final day. The final survivor gets to take home an impressive $20,000. We always recommend buying some cool hardware with the prize money, but to each their own.
Smartphones today are hella powerful, so is it really a surprise to see them run RuneScape? The Old School RuneScape mobile version is currently in closed beta for Android, and testing for iOS will be close in tow. Once released, players will be able to grind out skills wherever they want, whenever they want, completely free from location restraints. Pretty exciting stuff.
Old School RuneScape is a game of persistence, patience, mistakes, and rewards. It demands dedication to excel, yet is inherently and effortlessly fun. If you’re ready to relive your journey, make a free account, start your free trial, and see the world for yourself. Subscribing to the Premium membership removes the skill cap and unlocks all activities. Twitch Prime members get 30 days of premium membership for a limited time. Good luck, and have fun.
