This version of the game is the same version that's always existed since its release in the early 2000's. Most attention nowadays for Runescape instead comes from it's sister game, Oldschool Runescape; which is an older version of the game from 2007 which has a classic style of combat instead of main Runescape (or Runescape 3)'s take on a more modern combat system. I'm mainly a Runescape 3 player, although I do keep up with OSRS in terms of its updates and stuff.

All in all, I would recommend RS3; but I would also recommend playing OSRS. OSRS has a (albeit neglected) PVP scene, while Runescape 3 has 0 PVP scene at all. The combat is also very different from both games, with OSRS having a more simple back and forth base combat system and Runescape 3 having an ability based system (think World of Warcraft, FF14, ect). Both games have a flourishing PVM scene, so really which game you choose will depend on which combat system you prefer, and if you care at all about PVP.

Runescape 3 has 6 years worth of additional updates that OSRS does not have, which varies from multiple new skills, quests, bosses, ect. OSRS does have a good deal of content which is unique, which means it exists in OSRS but NOT in Runescape 3, but the same goes for the large amount of content that is in Runescape 3 that doesnt exist in OSRS. OSRS updates also have to pass a poll in order to get accepted into the game, and a lot of updates have been snuffed due to not passing polls. Because of this, OSRS is currently going through a phase where the community feels updates are being released very slowly. Runescape 3 on the other hand, does not have this issue and releases updates very frequently.

Another major difference between the two is that Runescape 3 has a large problem with microtransactions, while OSRS does not. In Runescape 3, players are able to buy XP, which bypasses a large amount of the game. Even if they dont buy it, the game gives the players a lot of keys and boosters to make leveling very quickly. If a player doesnt want these boosts, they can either choose not to use them, or opt in to an "Ironman" mode, which disables microtransaction boosts entirely and makes it so the player cannot trade with others. This is what I've chosen to do, and I see it as the true way to play the game; but it doesn't stop the fact that the culture of the game has been ruined by these microtransactions and quick boosts to end game content for doing nothing at all.

I would suggest playing both games, and figuring out which one is better for you. Runescape 3 gets meme'd on a lot for it's issues; but at the end of the day, it's still Runescape.

This version of the game is the same version that's always existed since its release in the early 2000's. Most attention nowadays for Runescape instead comes from it's sister game, Oldschool Runescape; which is an older version of the game from 2007 which has a classic style of combat instead of main Runescape (or Runescape 3)'s take on a more modern combat system. I'm mainly a Runescape 3 player, although I do keep up with OSRS in terms of its updates and stuff. All in all, I would recommend RS3; but I would also recommend playing OSRS. OSRS has a (albeit neglected) PVP scene, while Runescape 3 has 0 PVP scene at all. The combat is also very different from both games, with OSRS having a more simple back and forth base combat system and Runescape 3 having an ability based system (think World of Warcraft, FF14, ect). Both games have a flourishing PVM scene, so really which game you choose will depend on which combat system you prefer, and if you care at all about PVP. Runescape 3 has 6 years worth of additional updates that OSRS does not have, which varies from multiple new skills, quests, bosses, ect. OSRS does have a good deal of content which is unique, which means it exists in OSRS but NOT in Runescape 3, but the same goes for the large amount of content that is in Runescape 3 that doesnt exist in OSRS. OSRS updates also have to pass a poll in order to get accepted into the game, and a lot of updates have been snuffed due to not passing polls. Because of this, OSRS is currently going through a phase where the community feels updates are being released very slowly. Runescape 3 on the other hand, does not have this issue and releases updates very frequently. Another major difference between the two is that Runescape 3 has a large problem with microtransactions, while OSRS does not. In Runescape 3, players are able to buy XP, which bypasses a large amount of the game. Even if they dont buy it, the game gives the players a lot of keys and boosters to make leveling very quickly. If a player doesnt want these boosts, they can either choose not to use them, or opt in to an "Ironman" mode, which disables microtransaction boosts entirely and makes it so the player cannot trade with others. This is what I've chosen to do, and I see it as the true way to play the game; but it doesn't stop the fact that the culture of the game has been ruined by these microtransactions and quick boosts to end game content for doing nothing at all. I would suggest playing both games, and figuring out which one is better for you. Runescape 3 gets meme'd on a lot for it's issues; but at the end of the day, it's still Runescape.