MapleStory

MapleStory is an online computer game first developed by the South Korean company Wizet in 2003. It 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 600MB, 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 real-world money to buy items that aren't available through the in-game currency, Mesos.

The game does not contain any gorey violence or extremely frightening monsters. 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 some of the monsters. Overall, gameplay is fairly simple: kill monsters, gain levels, kill stronger monsters. As you level up, you can equip new weapons and armor, 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. There are localized versions for Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, South East Asia, Global and Europe (currently in beta). All other players play on the global version. 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.

Although beginners may at first think the game is all about leveling up and hunting monsters, MapleStory is mostly about socializing, as leveling up is slow, and fighting monsters becomes wearisome. 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.