GamerTake
AI Powered Steam Review Summaries
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: 8.4k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(62%)
nostalgic value
art style
music
varied classes
nostalgic value
grinding
altered charm
monetization practices
technical issues
grinding
complex systems
The sentiment towards MapleStory is complex and ambivalent. Players fondly recall its nostalgic value and appreciate its charming art style and music. However, there is significant criticism of its monetization practices and technical issues like bugs and maintenance that disrupt play. Newer players are often discouraged by the game's complexity and focus on grinding, while veterans express disappointment in changes that altered its original charm.

Positive Points

  • The game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, especially for those who played it in the early days.
  • It offers a vast array of characters and classes, providing a varied gameplay experience.
  • MapleStory has a charming art style and engaging music that many players find appealing.
  • Heroic/Reboot servers are praised for their more balanced free-to-play model, making progression feel achievable without spending money.

    • Negative Points

  • There is significant criticism regarding predatory monetization practices, such as expensive temporary items and RNG-based upgrades.
  • Frequent bugs, crashes, and extended maintenance periods disrupt the gaming experience.
  • Many players feel that the gameplay is overly grindy, with progression often gated by RNG and time constraints.
  • The game is seen as not being welcoming to new players, due to complex systems and a lack of clear guidance.

    • Mixed Points

  • While the game has improved in QoL updates and new events, players still face core issues with grinding and monetization.
  • The fast-paced leveling and ease of progression now compared to the past create contrasting opinions among veteran players who miss the old challenge.

    • Common Themes

  • Nostalgia is a recurrent theme, with many returning players comparing the current state to the 'good old days'.
  • Predatory monetization remains a significant issue, with many players feeling pressured to spend money despite initially free-to-play models.
  • There's ongoing frustration with bugs, poor customer service, and communication from Nexon.
  • Despite its flaws, MapleStory's art and music continue to be praised.
    • Updated 10/26/2025, 12:01:15 AM UTC
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