It was fun to play, the nostalgia was crazy, I spent so much of my childhood grinding on that game, and just forgot about it.

What I'm wondering is how they ****ed up the newer vereion so much.

The only thing imo they ****ed up on was EOC, if i wanted that kind of combat style I would have played another MMO. Everything else about the game I can accept - a game needs to grow and continuously add new content, just because me or you or anyone else doesn't like particular things doesn't mean they're bad (tho I suppose that could be said about the combat system, which is fair enough.)

As I type this I remember lodestones, don't really like those either, made the game way too easy. Part of the reasons I did quests was for access to easier methods of travelling, most of that was eliminated with the introduction of lodestones.

Deadman mode - not really my thing, I was more of a PvM/skiller, but again, could see how much fun that could be for other people.

They have legacy mode which allows players to use the old combat system in EoC, but yeah, a lot of people who still play Runescape have played for years, Jagex is just trying to create something new instead of players playing the same old style for 10+ years straight

old combat style was boring IMO, just sitting there and not having to do anything

I disagree, the old combat style was fresh, and a cool change from all the button-mashing and flailing reflexes of the current MMORPG's.

EOC really isn't bad, i've had my runescape account since 2004 and quit in 2011, when I came back in 2015 everything was different and I hated it, but then when I got used to it I kind of prefer it. The original combat was good and all, but the fact that I know have extra buttons to press makes it take longer to be bored since I have something to do.

Also you can level up faster since you kill quicker and can take on multiple npcs at once

I'd say it's all a matter of opinion, I can see how OSR could get boring, but I find it interesting.