11 Narrative games like RuneScape that you should try

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We filtered the 44 games similar to RuneScape down to the 11 that fit the “Narrative” category. MapleStory, Old School RuneScape and New World: Aeternum top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to RuneScape.

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GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

The best narrative games like RuneScape

11 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to RuneScape. Each one has been evaluated across 22 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1MapleStory

iRank59

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

Co-opMultiplayerOnlinePvPMagicRangedCasualNarrativeFantasySkill TreeThird PersonFree to Play

Steam👍 63%· 15KIGDB50· 1

Year 2003Dev Wizet · ShandaOn PC

✓ Shared with RuneScape: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, cozy, relaxing feel and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam

#2Old School RuneScape

iRank81

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opPvPNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeIsometricThird PersonFree to Play

Steam👍 83%· 20KIGDB77· 1

Year 2013Dev JagexOn Android · PC · iOS

✓ Nearly identical: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom.

≠ Missing: puzzle design.

Details →

Steam

#3New World: Aeternum

iRank71

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opPvPMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSandbox WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 67%· 297KIGDB76· 7OC72· 66

Year 2021Dev Amazon GamesOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Same family of sandbox MMORPGs: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere and crafting mechanics, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam Xbox

#4Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues

iRank39

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreSandbox MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opPvPMeleeNarrativeSandbox WorldOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird PersonFree to Play

Steam👍 53%· 3.2KRAWG👍 19%· 27

Year 2014Dev PortalariumPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Same family of sandbox MMORPGs: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and sandbox freedom

≠ Its own twist: card game strategy, survival mechanics and action RPG combat, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam

#5The Elder Scrolls® Online

iRank72

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opPvPMeleeMagicRangedNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 81%· 160KRAWG👍 63%· 134MC71IGDB70· 16OC71· 54

Year 2014Dev Zenimax Online Studios · Bethesda SoftworksPlaytime ~19hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed RuneScape, expect deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, dark, oppressive atmosphere and single-player focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam Epic

#6FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

iRank86

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opMagicMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 87%· 84KRAWG👍 86%· 87MC82IGDB85· 9

Year 2010Dev Square EnixOn PC · PS

✓ If you enjoyed RuneScape, expect deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: JRPG narrative and systems, action RPG combat and single-player focus, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam

#7Star Wars: The Old Republic

iRank88

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerCo-opOnlinePvPMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasySkill TreeExplorationThird PersonFree to Play

Steam👍 90%· 73KIGDB85· 7

Year 2011Dev BioWare Austin · Electronic ArtsOn PC · Mac

✓ Shared with RuneScape: deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, combat tactical and setting scifi, while skipping sandbox freedom

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreAction MMO

MultiplayerOnlineCo-opPvPMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldSkill TreeExplorationThird PersonFree to Play

Steam👍 71%· 4.3KRAWG👍 19%· 52MC72IGDB72· 3

Year 2011Dev Cryptic Studios · Perfect World EntertainmentPlaytime ~3hOn PC

✓ If you enjoyed RuneScape, expect deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat and setting scifi, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam

#9The Lord of the Rings Online

iRank84

GenreRPGSubgenreMMORPGSub-subgenreTheme Park MMO

MultiplayerCo-opOnlinePvPMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird PersonFree to Play

Steam👍 81%· 23KIGDB90· 3

Year 2007Dev Standing Stone Games · Midway GamesOn PC · Mac

✓ If you enjoyed RuneScape, expect deep RPG systems, MMO world and community and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: survival mechanics, dark, oppressive atmosphere and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping sandbox freedom

Details →

Steam

#10Magicka 2

iRank74

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

Co-opMultiplayerOnlinePvPMagicMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 83%· 14KIGDB61· 6OC69· 36

Year 2015Dev Pieces Interactive · Paradox InteractiveOn PS4 · PC

✓ Like RuneScape, it's known for deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: single-player focus and offline, while skipping MMO world and community

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Steam PS

#11ELDEN RING

iRank93

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreSoulslike

MultiplayerCo-opPvPOnlineMeleeMagicRangedNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationSkill TreeThird Person

Steam👍 93%· 1.1MRAWG👍 85%· 1.5KMC95IGDB97· 10OC95· 215

Year 2022Dev FromSoftware · Bandai Namco EntertainmentPlaytime ~62hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Like RuneScape, it's known for deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, punishing difficulty and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping MMO world and community

Details →

Steam Xbox PS

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