“Gripping, yet simple online role playing game”

Online role playing games are springing up everywhere these days, but novice gamers are often put off playing them due to the overwhelming number of options and complicated controls. Like most other MMORPGs, MapleStory presents you with the chance to take part in a story of a fantasy land, defeating monsters and collaborating with other players in real time.

However, the difference with MapleStory is that it is unbelievably simple to pick up and play. The missions are very easy to understand and the 2D side-scrolling gameplay makes a fresh change from the usual role players. Best of all, the controls are very straightforward and you'll need nothing more than the cursor keys and two more keys. These control keys can be customized very easily just by dragging and dropping icons onto the appropriate key on screen. The cutsey Japanese cartoon-style graphics may not be to everyone's liking but we reckon they're gorgeous and help to make MapleStory a fantastic alternative to the run-of-the-mill MMORPGs.

Languages:

English, Spanish, German, French, Dutch

OS requirements for MapleStory:

OS: Win98/98SE/Me/2000/XP

Minimum requirements:

Processor: Celeron 1.0 GHz
Memory: 256 MB
Video: 16 MB
Free space: 1.5 GB
DirectX 9.0c
Free registration: Publisher's website

Pros

Innovative gameplay
Gorgeous graphics and sounds
Customizable controls

Cons

Some users may be put off by the cutesy graphics

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From the publisher of MapleStory

MapleStory is a free, 2D, side-scrolling Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. Although playing the game is free, many player appearances and gameplay enhancements can be purchased from the "Cash Shop" using real money.

MapleStory has a combined total of over 50 million players in all of its versions. MapleStory Global, for players mainly outside of East Asia, Southeast Asia and Europe, has over three million players.

In the game, players walk around in the "Maple World" and defeat monsters and develop their character's skills and abilities, as in typical role-playing games. Players can interact with others in many ways, such as through chatting, trading, and playing minigames. Groups of players can band together in parties to hunt monsters and share the rewards. Players can also band in a guild to interact more easily with each other.