Tools for this page
Print

Runes of Magic

(2009, Online Video Game - Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG), Rated NR, Play it on: Windows)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Open chat and deep fantasy gameplay in free-to-play MMO.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Players will learn teamwork and Internet etiquette when playing MMOGs, and often improve their typing skills and spelling or language as well. Players participating in the in-game economy will also learn the entrepreneurial skills of buying low and selling high, and learn the value of reputation.

  • Messages:

    Group play is highly encouraged in the game and quests are often for the purpose of protecting the townfolk or assisting them in some way. A "Friends" lists is available for players to enter the names of their friends and find them easily if they are online. In-game marriages are possible.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    No blood and gore but you are required to kill creatures to advance your character in this game.

  • Sex:

    Some female avatars start off with old school, Vallejo-isc metal panties and there is a "boobie" slider in avatar creation that can give your female characters covered, but bombastic breasts. The "housekeeper" who assists you with your housing wears a "French maid" costume and male avatars can take off their shirts to reveal their upper bodies.

  • Language:

    A naughty word filter is "on" but this game has an open chat system which carries its own dangers. A system is available for players to place other players in Coventry, that is to say, you will no longer see their speech or text.

  • Consumerism:

    Free to play. but vanity items such as pets and convenience items such as mounts (horses to ride on) will cost real world money and expire after some time. Other items for sale include furniture for players' houses and some high-end recipes and armor.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    No drugs or tobacco use is game, but in a medievalistic fantasy world, various brews such as ale and beer can be brewed or bought in a tavern.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Runes of Magic was written by Carolyn Koh

Parents need to know that this is a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) where combat is an integral part of gameplay. Some costumes can be mildly racy, and while there is a profanity filter, open chat can have its own interaction issues, especially for younger children. Making friends is encouraged and some of the quests can only be completed with a group. Role-playing is also encouraged and there is a "Marriage Counselor" in game that will perform "in-game marriages." The game is free to play, however some coveted items cost real money. The content is broad and deep, making this MMO easily comparable to a popular paid games such as World of Warcraft and EverQuest.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about online safety and etiquette with their teenagers, especially if they like to participate in the Player versus Player (PvP) games such as dueling and arena battles. Why should you not give out personal information over the Internet? How do you know that the person behind the game avatar is who they say they are? What effect can online anonymity have on a person's behavior? Should you behave differently when you beat someone online than when you win a game in the playground?
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on Runes of Magic

What’s the Story?

When entering the massively multiplayer online game of RUNES OF MAGIC, players select one of six classes, Warrior, Rogue, Scout (your bow-user), Mage, Priest, or Knight and then set off on an adventure in the world of Taborea. This world has a deep backstory, which unravels as you accept quests in villages and cities to learn various crafting skills such as Tailoring, Gathering, Woodworking, and Armorcrafting, or simply to help out or protect the denizens of the cities.

Combat is an integral part of the game and is the way you gain experience and level up your character to make him or her more powerful. Although your crafting ranking is separate from your adventure ranking, in order to harvest raw materials for crafting, the player is obliged to venture into more and more dangerous lands so making yourself a more powerful adventurer becomes important.

Close

Is It Any Good?

Runes of Magic has deep game systems with enough features to warrant a comparison to any of the most popular MMOG currently out in the market. With its dual class system (the crafting ranking and the adventurer ranking), player housing, harvesting, crafting auction houses, and guild systems, there is a lot to explore within this game. The developers name Ultima Online, EverQuest and World of Warcraft as their inspiration and it shows in the familiarity of those game systems within this game.

The land area is vast, quests are plentiful, and the graphics are detailed and beautiful. In terms of grandeur, depth and sophistication, it comes close to the multi-million dollar backed paid subscription games, lacking only some of the ambiance and immersion as the sound and music is not as polished. Currently, only humans are playable, but like any MMOGs, content is released frequently and Elves are the next promised player race.

 

Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 3/17/2009, price $Free, online enabled
ESRB rating: NR (for Not Rated)

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Runes of Magic?

  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    jwahman
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models
    • Safety isn't an issue
    • Easy to play

    Good game

    Your eleven, twelve year old son can handle this game

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Age 10+
    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Pick of the Week

    Bestselling Books

    Bestselling Books

    Popular new reads kids are buying today.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 8+
    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.