Have you ever wanted to go back in time to the glory days of 2D, side-scrolling, console-style RPGs. Well, add an MMO and free to play to the mix and you have MapleStory. Join over 50 million other players in real time worldwide in defending “Maple World” from monsters of every size, shape and challenge level. Venture deep into dungeons solo or with a party of up to five other players and root out the beasts below as your character - whether Warrior, Magician, Bowman or Thief - collects money and useful items, gains experience points, levels up and improves a wide array of skills. Even join a guild of like-minded gamers. Or, just hang out and chat, trade, or play a unique minigame or two. The vast world of MapleStory is whatever you make it.

New players will find themselves in Maple Island, a beginner-friendly floating island. Unlike most MMORPGs, players in MapleStory don’t choose a “class” or “job” during character creation. Instead, all characters in this MMOG are labeled “Beginner” until certain requirements are met for advancement. Players may select from a variety of faces, hair styles, hair and skin colors, and initial equipment. Up to three characters may be kept on each game world/server.

MapleStory features a ranking system which allows players to compare their character(s) experience point gain to others in the same world and class, as well as any changes in ranking from the previous day. There is no PvP combat in this MMO, but there are monsters aplenty throughout the Maple World, including many challenging “boss monsters”. Also, there are over 100 quests in MapleStory which may garner unique items as rewards. As a counter to MapleStory’s free play, a “Cash Shop” was introduced wherein players can buy various in-game items and character alterations using real-world money.