MapleStory

MapleStory is an online computer game first developed by the South Korean company Wizet in 2002. MapleStory is a side-scrolling, 2D MMORPG. It is client-based, which means that you must download the software in order to play the game. The software can be downloaded at the official MapleStory website. However, at almost 500MB, it is advisable to use a download manager to download the game. MapleStory is completely free to register and play, although there is a "Cash Shop" where players can use authentic money to buy cash-only items that aren't available through the in-game currency, Mesos.

The game does not contain any gross violence or extremely frightening monsters. In some ways, it remotely resembles Pokémon. But some people have noticed that the gameplay resembles WonderBoy. The game is suitable for young children, and it is popular among middle school, high school, and college students alike. Beginners find that the game is not dark or violent, and that the environment is actually a sunny, friendly place with small snails and mushrooms as monsters. Overall, gameplay is fairly simple: attack monsters, gain levels, attack stronger monsters. As you level up, you can equip new weapons and clothes, you gain more Mesos, and possibly make new friends.

Several versions of the game are available for specific countries or regions, and each is published by various companies. Within each version are various "worlds" that characters exist in. Players may create up to three characters in each world. Characters, items, and Mesos are not transferable between worlds.

There are localized versions for Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, South East Asia, and Europe (currently in beta). All other players play on the global servers.

Although beginners may at first think the game is all about leveling up and hunting monsters, MapleStory is also a place to socialize. With the Maple Messenger, buddy lists, and guilds, MapleStory is a typical MMORPG, where users don't always have to hunt, train, and level up; they can take a break and chat whenever and to whomever they like.

As with any MMORPG, there are many players that try to scam or rip-off beginners. On rare ocassions, users will get hacked. While uncommon, it is a problem in the game where you login and see all your items gone. Most of these incidents are friends stealing accounts from their friends, so keep a good password and (in GlobalMS) PIN number, and be sure not to give either away to anyone, even real life friends.