RuneScape is one of the longest-running and most widely recognizable MMORPGs on the market, attracting new players while incentivizing older players to return to the popular fantasy world of Gielinor. The game frequently pumps out fresh content updates and ninja hot fixes to keep the game running smoothly.
Part of the reason why RuneScape has such great longevity is largely down to its iconic and innovative quests that many players remember fondly. Jagex excels in their storytelling, so here are some of the most iconic RuneScape 3 quests to fill players with nostalgia.
9 Cook's Assistant
Veteran RuneScape players will recognize the Cook's Assistant as one of the most iconic free-to-play quests in the game. It was also one of the six original quests initially available upon RuneScape's launch in 2001. Situated in Lumbridge, the heart of the noob RuneScape player experience, players must approach the Cook in Lumbridge Castle, who needs help baking a birthday cake for Duke Horacio.
The player must fetch some top-quality milk, a super large egg, and a pot of extra fine flour, all obtained from various locations around Lumbridge. Once the player has obtained all these ingredients, they can give them to the Cook and be rewarded. It is a simple quest, perfect for novices to get started with the game and get a feel for RuneScape's questing experience.
8 Gertrude's Cat
RuneScape's quests vary in length. Some can take hours, while some only require a few items and lots of dialogue. The short and sweet quests tend to be the most memorable. Gertrude's Cat quest in the eastern-part of Varrock is a prime example of this as a wholesome mini-quest that many players remember fondly.
All the player must do is locate Gertrude's missing cat, Fluffs. All it requires is a bucket of milk and some doogle leaves (RuneScape's equivalent of catnip), and then the player must head off to the Lumber Yard to find Fluffs. After some kerfuffle, the player can return to Gertrude and reunite her with her beloved feline friend. This quest will reward the player with a kitten and the ability to raise cats! What could be better?
7 One Piercing Note
RuneScape has breached many milestones and blossomed into a thriving MMORPG that is still relevant in modern times, continuously keeping players engaged. One Piercing Note was a milestone in how it was the first quest to be fully voiced, paving the way for many quests that followed.
This simple free-to-play quest features a murder mystery, as the player must uncover the killer lurking in the depths of the Abbey of Saint Elspeth in Al Kharid. This quest features an atmospheric soundtrack of unlockable music and thrilling cutscenes to keep players on the edge of their seats as they solve this crime.
6 Shield Of Arrav
Varrock is a hub for many new adventurers and home to RuneScape staples like the Grand Exchange, where players can trade items. Varrock also features a multitude of beginner-friendly quests, including the Shield of Arrav. The player is tasked with recovering a legendary shield, which was split in half and stolen by two organized crime syndicates in the city. The player must join these two gangs and restore the shield to its former glory.
This quest was unique because it required the help of a partner, playing into the cooperative aspect of MMOs. It was only possible for the player to join one gang and subsequently obtain one-half of the shield; the player's friend would need to retrieve the other half. This quest has since been reworked in RuneScape 3 in 2017. However, the Old School RuneScape version of this quest remains the same.
5 Recipe For Disaster
Recipe For Disaster was the 100th quest to be released by Jagex, being an official sequel to the first entry on this list, Cook's Assistant. The difficulty is categorized as "special" and the quest is composed of ten separate sub-quests, all of which require the completion of several other quests. It can be started by novices, but only completed by accomplished RuneScape players.
The premise of Recipe For Disaster is that the Cook in Lumbridge is preparing for a feast attended by members of the Lumbridge secret council. However, the meeting is thwarted by the Culinaromancer, who attacks everyone in the room. Putting their culinary skills to the test, the player must cook the favorite food of each council member to revive them before finally defeating the Culinaromancer in a fierce battle.
4 Branches Of Darkmeyer
Branches Of Darkmeyer is the seventh quest in the long Vampyres of Morytania and Myreque questline. This quest introduces the player to the vampiric city of Darkmeyer, which they must infiltrate using a disguise and performing various tasks to gain reputation.
Branches Of Darkmeyer features several innovative puzzles like the Blisterwood Tree Farming puzzle, which steadily ramps up in difficulty. This quest is a prime example of RuneScape questing at its finest, ending in a challenging boss fight where the player must pay attention to the in-game dialogue to know which attack is coming next.
3 Monkey Madness
Monkey Madness is considered by players as one of the hardest quests in RuneScape, encountered early on in the game. Ape Atoll is the central location for this quest, a remote island inhabited by sentient but aggressive high-level monkeys.
Considering its low-level requirements, Monkey Madness can be complex for unprepared players. Many stages will be unforgiving and virtually impossible for any players blind-questing and not following a guide. However, the completion of Monkey Madness rewards players with an intense feeling of satisfaction and greegrees, so they can transform into a monkey at the click of a button while on Ape Atoll.
2 The World Wakes
The World Guardian is the player's in-game persona, and The World Wakes is the first quest of many that showcases this. It is a Grandmaster quest and has been labeled by several moderators as the most significant quest to date. It finalizes the end of the Fifth Age, marking the beginning of the Sixth Age as the legendary Gods have returned to Gielinor.
This quest features tough puzzles, challenging boss fights with unique mechanics, and extensive lore for players to sink their teeth in. This quest is where players truly cement their status as The World Guardian. This quest has something to please every player and epitomizes everything RuneScape offers its community.
1 One Small Favor
The most iconic quest in RuneScape history is One Small Favor, as long-time players will remember that this quest is anything but small. This humble quest begins in Shilo Village, as the player must prepare for the long haul to visit dozens of NPCs across the massive world of Gielinor for yet another favor.
One Small Favor highlights Jagex's humorous and creative storytelling, with witty remarks and commentary from the NPCs encountered along the way. After trekking halfway across the world, the player will be rewarded with a keyring, allowing them to store helpful keys that may be clogging up their inventory.
RuneScape 3 is available to play on PC, iOS and Android devices.