MapleStory
Action
Adventure
Casual
Massively Multiplayer
RPG
Free To Play
Single-player
Multi-player
MMO
Co-op
Steam Trading Cards

Join over 260 million players worldwide in MapleStory, the world’s biggest 2D MMORPG adventure! Play now for free.

Developers: NEXON Korea Corporation
Publishers: Nexon America Inc.
Release Date: Aug 9, 2012
Price (USD): Free
Current Players: 8.9k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(62%)
nostalgic experience
captivating art
diverse classes
cooperative boss fights
free-to-play
faster leveling
nostalgia
content additions
individual progression
pay-to-win
poor communication
server issues
frequent maintenance
confusing systems
The reviews reflect a strong sense of nostalgia but highlight significant issues with the game's current state. While some players enjoy revisiting a game that defined their childhood and praise its art and music, many are frustrated by the predatory monetization, bugs, and poor player support. The introduction of faster leveling and numerous updates is seen as both enhancing and detracting from the core experience, with players craving a balance between old and new elements.

Positive Points

  • Many players appreciate the nostalgic aspect of the game, reminiscing about past experiences and enjoying revisiting familiar environments.
  • The game is praised for its captivating art and music, which significantly enhance the gaming experience and evoke a strong sense of nostalgia for long-time players.
  • Several users highlight the engaging and varied character classes that provide diverse gameplay experiences.
  • Some players mention the enjoyable cooperative boss fights and the collaborative challenges they present.
  • Heroic servers are seen as a good option for free-to-play players who wish to avoid the heavy monetization tactics on the regular servers.
  • Negative Points

  • The game is heavily criticized for its pay-to-win elements, with many players highlighting the expensive microtransactions and the necessity of spending money to progress effectively.
  • There is a strong sentiment against Nexon for poor communication, bugs, and server issues that disrupt gameplay.
  • Multiple comments mention long and frequent maintenance periods, leading to frustration among players who feel their time is disrespected.
  • The overwhelming presence of RNG in essential game mechanics, like gear upgrades, is criticized for leading to potentially significant setbacks and discouraging gameplay.
  • The initial player experience is described as unfriendly, with confusing systems and a focus on rapid leveling that bypasses traditional gameplay elements.
  • Mixed Points

  • The shift towards faster leveling is seen as both a positive for reducing grind and a negative for diminishing the importance of early game content.
  • While nostalgia is a strong draw, for many players, this doesn't outweigh the game's current issues.
  • Some users have mixed feelings about the frequent updates and content additions, which can sometimes dilute the core experience.
  • The game's social aspects, while praised for creating lasting friendships, are diminished by current gameplay focusing more on individual progression.
  • Common Themes

  • Nostalgia is a central theme, with many players returning to the game due to fond memories, even if the current state does not meet expectations.
  • The monetization strategy of the game is a primary source of dissatisfaction, with many players feeling it is excessively predatory.
  • There is a consistent plea for Nexon to improve communication with its player base and address longstanding technical issues.
  • The game's early player experience is often described as overwhelming due to its complexity and barrage of information.
  • Updated 9/25/2025, 12:01:44 AM UTC