9 Games Like RuneScape - The Best Free MMOs

Author:
Samuel Franklin
Updated:
Nov 4, 2015

Play Games Like Runescape: A Great Collection of MMOs

There are many online free MMORPG games like RuneScape available if you are looking to move away from it, or are just looking for a good online or downloadable game with a fantasy setting.

RuneScape has long held one of the top spots amongst the online and free MMO genre. This makes it hard to find a great game like it amongst the hundreds of clones, but there are a few stand out games that offer a similar player base, game style and level of polish.

I spent a good two years of my young adult life exploring the world of RuneScape and really liked what it had to offer, I also tried many similar games during that time and have collected my favourites here. I understand that not everybody will share my opinions so the comment section at the bottom of the page is open for you to discuss your own experiences with this game or others like it. I always want to hear about your favourite MMOs so don't hesitate to leave a comment.

This page features many fun and free MMO games like RuneScape with most being available online (no download, playable in your browser) but some do require you to download their game client. I've tried to find a balance between quality games and ones that are available on browser, there really aren't too many great browser games in this space currently but hopefully that is something that changes in the future as technology and internet speeds continue to grow.

What Is Your Favourite Game Like RuneScape?

1. Drakensang Online

Drakensang Online is easily one of my favourite games on this list. It's sort of a mixture of RuneScape and Diablo — and it's available in your browser for free!

The free price tag isn't the only thing that's amazing — the game really has some impressive graphics that are at the peak of what browser games are currently doing. The gameplay is just as enjoyable, as the visuals have plenty of character depth and impressive environments to explore as you gain experience and levels in this free to play browser based MMORPG.

The game keeps things simply by offering four different classes, but it contains enough room in them so that you and your friend can play the same class completely differently. It's the sort of depth that I always look for in a MMO. I simply don't want my character to be like anyone else's and I want to create something unique that is mine.

On your search for alternatives, I have to recommend that you stop here and take the time to check out the wonderful experience that is waiting in Drakensang Online.

Drakensang Online - Official Website

Drakensang Online Gameplay

runes-of-magic-logo

2. Runes of Magic

Runes of Magic is one of the great fantasy MMO games with a very similar to feel to RuneScape in terms of design, community size, and features.

If you love the fantasy setting but want something with a bit more content than RuneScape, then Runes of Magic is a good choice, provided you don't mind a downloaded MMO (instead of the other browser options on this page).

Runes of Magic includes several races, a decent selection of classes (10), and well-designed pet and housing systems that add plenty of life to the usual MMO adventure. While the focus is definitely towards PvE with the community, there are still a huge number of PvP options for those that do want to venture down that path.

Experience a MMO with a great history of upgrading its content in Runes of Magic.

Runes of Magic - Register & Play

Runes of Magic First Look

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should-i-watch-sonic-the-hedgehog-3-2024

3. Koyotl

Koyotl offers a great browser-based experience that combines browser accessibility with a large number of characters and plenty of skill customisation to create a strong MMO adventure.

With a large open world for players to explore as they please, the colourful game world has many secrets around every corner. From powerful items and quests to NPCs and interesting monster design, Koyotl has it all.

In addition to exploring the colourful overworld, players can venture into the deep dark dungeons of the world where the ultimate foes lie hidden. To help you take down these more difficult opponents, Koyotl allows you to call on your friends and even a trusty pet.

For an impressive browser-based game that has all the MMO features one could desire, Koyotl is definitely worth a try.

Koyotl - Official Website

Koyotl Gameplay

4. Adventure Quest Worlds

Adventure Quest Worlds is a great online and free MMO that combines simple aspects with plenty of depth to keep you interested. But it also remain casuals enough so that it won't consume your life.

With four basic starting classes to choose from (mage, healer, rogue and warrior), there are plenty of choices and party dynamics to become familiar with. Of course, each of them packs its own unique skills (passive and active), abilities, and play style.

With regular events to keep the game fresh with content and a lively community keeping the game interesting, Adventure Quest Worlds is a great middle ground between casual and hardcore MMO.

Adventure Quest Worlds - Official Website

Adventure Quest Worlds Gameplay

5. Lord of The Rings Online

Lord of The Rings Online sticks closely to the winning formula that is the MMORPG game genre. The games offers plenty of content to keep players busy and, combined with the high level cap, it offers many hours of potential gameplay.

The game offers a good range of playable classes that slowly grow into their own play-styles as you advance through your LOTR-themed adventure..

The game's strengths include its strong player base, stylish skill animations, and regularly updated content. The forum community and support is also topnotch, and they are always happy to help a new player learn the ropes.

If you can look beyond the repetitive questing and the generic fantasy world, Last Chaos is a great free MMORPG alternative. I found the community to be one of the friendliest of all games that I have played although this experience might not be typical for everyone.

Lord of The Rings Online - Home Page

LOTRO Gameplay

6. Path of Exile

Path of Exile plays more like the action RPG genres of Diablo or Torchlight but is playable for free, making it a great alternative.

Path of Exile has plenty of randomly generated areas that are all presented beautifully in 3D graphics. The game is extremely simple to play and learn, but there is still massive amounts of depth and character customisation for those who are interested in exploring the game mechanics.

Players gain experience and level up just like any other RPG and distribute these points as they see fit between Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. The game also features a massive skill tree that provides endless customisation amongst classes.

I always liked Path of Exile since it has many Diablo-like features (one of my all time favourite games), so if you are also a fan then this is also your best option.

Path of Exile - Official Site

Path Of Exile Impressions

7. Neverwinter Online

Neverwinter Online is a story-driven MMO adventure that has ties to the popular Dungeons and Dragons table top games. While it has the Neverwinter name, it actually doesn't have any direct ties to the Neverwinter Nights series.

There are six classes offered, and the ability to team up with five friends in the party-based elements of the game. If you're short on friends though, you'll find a huge community to team up with. The community also is behind lots of content in the game, thanks to the unique Foundry system that allows players to create their own quests within the game using its assets.

Gameplay is very solid, with all the MMO features that you want to keep you entertained. You'll find responsive controls, impressive (and varied) environments, PvP, and plenty of lore to pull you into the game world.

Neverwinter Online - Official Website

Neverwinter Online Gameplay

8. Marvel Heroes

Marvel Heroes is wonderfully enjoyable free alternative to play online.

I've been playing Marvel Heroes pretty much since the day it came out in early 2013. It's a game that I always keep coming back to, most notably for the strong gameplay and constant updates that keep the game a fresh experience all the time.

While I consider it very much like RuneScape because of the online and social nature of the game, it also plays very similarly to Drakensang Online (also featured here) in that it takes a page from action role playing adventures like the Diablo series. This makes the game as much about the hunt for loot as it is for questing.

The most notable appeal to the game is definitely the setting with all of your favourite Marvel characters making an appearance and available for play. With the character system that Marvel Heroes uses, it's also very easy to swap between them so that you don't have to commit all your hours into a single character, giving you more flexibility.

Marvel Heroes - Play Now

Marvel Heroes Gameplay - One Of The Many Multiplayer Online Games Like RuneScape

9. Sherwood Dungeon

Sherwood Dungeon is a fantasy MMORPG that is playable within your browser and even boasts complete 3D graphics (one of the best browser-based graphics available).

Sherwood Dungeon aims to be a simple and casual MMO experience, with its simplistic and forgiving features such as the lack of a death penalty. PvP is supported in designated game areas, so fans of PvP battles won't be disappointed.

Fans of RuneScape will feel at home with Sherwood Dungeon. Best of all, the game allows you to play as a guest so that you don't even have to create an account to try out this free online game. There's no download required.

This accessibility of Sherwood Dungeon is its strongest asset so there is never a short supply of new players joining the game which encourages game improvements. This also means you won't be alone as you adventure throughout the game.

Sherwood Dungeon - Official Site

Sherwood Dungeon Gameplay Review - By MMOHut

Know Another Game Like RuneScape? - Which MMORPG Is Your Favourite?

Annie on March 26, 2020:

I don't really agree with most of the list, besides maybe Drakensang, as there are similar components. However, none of these games really feature complex crafting and the best thing that REALLY comes close these days are ARPG's like Path of Exile (check out https://fragmeta.com/ if you want to learn more about the game as they cover it pretty frequently and in-depth). Besides that, Albion online is another big game these days that is VERY similar to RuneScape in the gathering/crafting department, but it lacks the combat and story-depth that you'd expect.

Cr0w5 on April 08, 2017:

The people that makes these lists have NO IDEA what makes Runescape Runescape.

-Long interactive quests

-large unrestricted world

-NON-COMBATIVE SKILLS

-INDIVIDUALLY LEVELED SKILLS

No games in this list come even remotely close to anything like this...I wish you idiots would do your research before posting up this nonsense...

Hitler always right on August 21, 2016:

You left out Eternal Lands and Endless Online

Spazy on November 08, 2015:

AW Planet is probably the closest game to runescape (07/classic). This game has skills that go to level 120. PKing system similar to runescape and tons of skills.

Chelsea on September 09, 2015:

Ive played almost all of these, Started with Runescape and then to adventure quest an so on. But I've recently started to play NeverWinter on the Xbox One, and nothing compares to this.

Id highly recommend NeverWinter, its highly addictive.

Kit from Catsville on June 05, 2015:

This is a great round up, i like sherwood dungeon, big techtorpedo fan of that game. Nothing quite beats runescape when you first play it.

Mario on April 15, 2015:

Path of Exile is definitely one of the best aRPGs ever made. They even surpassed Blizzard in making the next ''Diablo". IMO, Path of Exile is definitely what Diablo 3 should have been. Game itself is very complex but that is the most awesome part, I think - http://pathofexilegems.com explanation of the game mechanics is pretty spot on as well, helps to understand stuff a lot better.

Anonymous on April 03, 2015:

There is a game like Runescape on Steam... Eldevin. It's alright, but has a lot of skills like RS and a similar interface and feel.

Barvald on February 08, 2015:

I've only played a few of these and none were very much Runescape. The only comparison to be made here is that they are MMORPGs. The one game I've played that is similar to Runescape is Mabinogi. It uses a similar skill-based system rather than classes. You can train combat skills and then go sheer sheep or play instruments. It even has separate skills for each attack type (ex. "Smash" melee skill gains exp separate from the "Windmill" skill), so there are more than a hundred [estimate] skills. The graphics aren't great, but if you like Runescape then it shouldn't matter.

dragon on December 25, 2014:

none of these games are even remotely anything like runescape, or anywhere near as good for that matter. sure some of them have good graphics and you can grind your heart out, but runescape is so much more than that, loads of useful skills to train be it combat, making your own weapons armour potions and loads of stuff that has nothing to do with combat, massive community and clans, loads of quests bother easy and challenging. only thing that lets runescape down is the pasty java graphics and burn out from repetition. this list is like adventure quest (don't make me laugh, trying to put that up there with one of the world's most popular games) and diablo clones which the majority got bored of about a decade ago.

Anonymous on October 14, 2014:

There are no other games like Runescape, No one seems to understand that graphic style and world styles have nothing to do with playing Runescape. An mmo made in java is not a Runescape clone it's a java game. When players say they want a game like Runescape they mean a game with many skills and activities around a character not just picking a class, its being a hunter today and a lumberjack tomarrow. No one will ever make a game like Runescape because it has already been made

IncarnateBeast on July 05, 2014:

I'll definitely check out some of these, thanks!

nipun-max on June 10, 2014:

Sword art is a best anime also

williamslaw on May 25, 2014:

Cool! I'm checking some now.

heyyyyyyy on March 21, 2014:

sword art online :)

tomasokalno on February 22, 2014:

I think old school runescpae still is the best :)

anonymous on February 09, 2014:

I am a big fan of Runescape ~ can't wait to check out the list of games you have here.

indagame on October 20, 2013:

Tibia is best!

brianna-laos on September 22, 2013:

Age of Conan

anonymous on July 29, 2013:

TANKI ONLINE

anonymous on July 20, 2013:

AWPlanet. Basically a simplified version of runescape.

anonymous on July 10, 2013:

Girnderscape.

noahthefirst on May 09, 2013:

sounds cool. i am going to check some of thewe out

BrandonCase on April 07, 2013:

Cool lens, this is a side of gaming I haven't really gotten into yet, but it looks awesome :).

anonymous on March 29, 2013:

what about adventure quest world and ankama games

anonymous on March 29, 2013:

@anonymous: boring adventure quest worlds and ankama games are better

anonymous on March 19, 2013:

@anonymous: Absolutely no reason for you to be so mean; He was just expressing his opinion/finds. You don't have to be so mean about it. And do use proper grammar if you DO choose to insult someone.

Chris-H LM on March 04, 2013:

Path of Exile looks pretty cool.

Singerlovelife on February 16, 2013:

@anonymous: runescape is the most powerful one.

anonymous on February 09, 2013:

i know one game like runescape soulsplit

anonymous on January 20, 2013:

what about adventure quest

anonymous on January 11, 2013:

@anonymous: not true lol you are a complete idiot...

anonymous on January 06, 2013:

@anonymous: lol john, even WoW has cooking and crafting, so you can't say that these games are "clones" of Blizzard games if they are only hack&slash. Also, I've played quite a few of these and just because the videos don't show any of the non-combat material doesn't mean that it isn't there(usually because its not as complex as Jagex makes RuneScape's skilling system, its usually much easier in most games). Great Squidoo btw, but there's many more games that share similarities to RS, as MMOGs are a huge gamer base, with thousands of games to cater to millions and millions of online gamers. A few notable games that aren't on this list are EQ2, Forsaken World, Perfect World, Cabal Online, and Runes of Magic, just to name a few :D Thanks for sharing and I hope to see lots of future updates ^^

anonymous on December 30, 2012:

they forgot pirate 101 and wizard 101!

anonymous on November 26, 2012:

@anonymous: there's a difference between emulators and look-a-likes. emulators uses the same cache as the original game itself, whilst look-a-likes is built on it's own engine with it's own graphics and names on characters/monsters, advertising your whitehat private server emulator at a website like this isnt the best way to go, since the cache you use for the client to load is 100% copyrighted by jagex, i got a private server aswell, but i'm not stupid enought to advertise it on here.

anonymous on November 25, 2012:

Grinderscape. Is almost exactly like runescape but it already has "membership" that you have to pay for in runescape. :D

getmoreinfo on October 06, 2012:

Thanks for sharing information about Games Like RuneScape.

Samuel Franklin (author) on October 05, 2012:

@anonymous: Many of these games do also offer crafting and professions (kind of like RuneScape). I will review a few descriptions and detail the ones that offer crafting for future reference.

Thanks for the comment.

anonymous on October 05, 2012:

i might be wrong, but i didnt see any similarity with runescape, no cooking, no crating, just fighting and killing. mostly all clones of diablo and world of warcraft

anonymous on October 03, 2012:

i like this game because this game others game from best thanks.

anonymous on September 14, 2012:

yes theres a game called the settlers u dont have to down load it and its on u play

its allso free i play it my name is xxspence03xx

anonymous on August 30, 2012:

@Tahamtan: Grrgcgghhhjj

silvdragn-jennings on August 09, 2012:

Awesome list! I didn't know about some of these games. Btw i Squidliked you :D. If you can do the same to me that would be great :D.

anonymous on July 28, 2012:

@WriterJanis2: i love the graphics

bansi099 on July 11, 2012: