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: 9.7k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(62%)
Nostalgic experience
Vibrant soundtrack
Engaging world-building
Unique job classes
Character customization
Character progression
Game systems
Daily missions
Community interactions
Event participation
Monetization strategies
Technical issues
Grinding
RNG dependence
In-game purchases
Sentiment around Maplestory is divided. Nostalgia and the game's unique art style and sound attract long-time fans and new players who find charm in its vast world and character variety. However, many players are critical of the monetization strategies, finding them predatory and necessary to progress, along with frustrations about the technical issues like frequent crashes and game-breaking bugs. While the game offers complex character progression, it also overwhelms new players with its many systems and mandatory dailies. Ultimately, while the game succeeds in bringing back nostalgic players, it struggles to hold onto new players who may be turned off by these prevailing issues.

Positive Points

  • Many players appreciate the nostalgic aspect of Maplestory, rekindling fond memories with its unique art style, vibrant soundtrack, and engaging world-building.
  • Some players find the numerous job classes, frequent updates, and character customization options appealing, as they keep the game fresh and allow players to tailor characters to their liking.
  • The game’s variety of bosses and challenges is seen as a positive, offering a sense of achievement in overcoming difficult tasks.
  • Some players value the progression of characters and enjoy the sense of accomplishment from leveling up and gear upgrades.
  • Negative Points

  • The game's UI and control system are frequently criticized, with many players frustrated by the inability to change key bindings, like WASD movement.
  • There is a strong sentiment against the game's monetization strategies, particularly the high cost and time-limited nature of in-game purchases, which create a pay-to-win environment.
  • Numerous reviews highlight technical issues, including bugs, crashes, unstable servers, and long maintenance times, which disrupt the gaming experience.
  • The game's progression is perceived as a chore, with significant grinding required, and players are frustrated with systems tied to RNG, leading to negative and often demotivating experiences.
  • Mixed Points

  • The game's expansive system of character progression is seen both as a positive for adding depth and complexity and as overwhelming for new players.
  • Events and daily missions receive mixed feedback; while they provide goals and rewards, many players feel they contribute to an exhausting routine that feels mandatory.
  • Community and social interactions are a mixed bag, with some players finding the in-game community supportive, while others feel the new system discourages cooperative play and makes the game feel isolating.
  • Common Themes

  • Nostalgia plays a significant role in player engagement, with many long-time fans returning for a trip down memory lane.
  • Monetization is a critical and recurring concern, with frequent calls for balance between revenue and player experience.
  • The complexity of the game’s systems, including character progression and event participation, is both a barrier and an appeal, depending heavily on the player's experience and expectations.
  • Technical stability issues and lack of support from developers are a sore point, as many feel the game doesn't respect their time or financial investment.
  • Updated 1/9/2026, 12:01:27 AM UTC