MapleStory, the 2D, side-scrolling pixel hopping MMORPG plans to redefine the gameplay experience for its dedicated fanbase. With the New Age update, set to arrive on November 28, players will be introduced to their 6th Job skills and an innovative skill modification system called the Hexa Matrix. Over the course of the next couple months, the team at Nexon will not just expand the game with new features, but allow gamers to transform their characters with new customization, and even offer a brand new world, to give players a fresh start.
MapleStory has been chugging along for 19 years now, and the team at Nexon is happy to unveil that the journey towards the 6th Job begins with the Journey Toward the Sixth Star Event, where players can earn exclusive rewards such as the STAR Title Coupon and Starlight Energy Chair. The 6th Job Advancement, which will become available at Level 260 upon completing the Convergence True Form quest, promises to unlock unparalleled abilities across Maple World and Grandis. Players can get started on the Journey to the Sixth Star Event now through Tuesday, November 14th at 3:59 PM (PST), where you’ll be able to earn plenty of rewards as you await the 6th Job release on November 28th .
The Hexa Matrix system will also be a huge game-changer, allowing players to enhance their existing skills with new effects and unlock a variety of nodes, including Skill Nodes for their 6th Job skills. You’ll also have Mastery Nodes to augment 4th Job skills, and Boost Nodes to empower 5th Job skills. The matrix is described as “dynamic”, with more nodes and slots to be introduced in future updates.
Furthermore, the Hexa Stat Matrix offers ever changing bonuses to players' preferred stats, with the potential to significantly boost primary and secondary stats, allowing your characters to push past their previous limits. This fnew system will evolve alongside the players, with more nodes added in subsequent updates.
The November 15th update also brings the Identisk Exploration event, where players can explore the merged lands of Iden and Tisk to uncover divine blessings and earn special rewards. Additionally, the Hyper Burn event allows players to reach Level 260 with enhanced EXP gains, accelerating their progress towards the 6th Job, and not a moment too soon, as you’ll certainly want to hit that target ahead of the release on the 28th.
MapleStory has also committed to making improvements, and has planned an Arcane River and Grandis Revamp, offering more EXP in daily quests, updated Tower of Oz Witch Shop, and a smoother leveling experience from Levels 210 to 299. These changes will happen on November 15th as well, ahead of the Sixth Star Skill update.
Recently MapleStory has executed several “Reboot” servers, and if you’ve been looking to jump back in, the excitement of a new Reboot World, named Reboot Hyperion, should certainly tickle your fancy. Nexon has also planned on renaming the existing Reboot worlds, with the NA world being renamed to Reboot Kronos and EU’s world will be renamed Reboot Solis. The team states they are enacting these changes to provide a clearer and more distinct identity for each world, enhancing the overall player experience. MapleStory fans will notice this change will go into effect during the November 15th update.
In the coming months, players can look forward to exploring new zones like Carcion, engaging in high-level challenges such as Battleship Arteria, and participating in the Abyssal Expedition. New difficulties for bosses Kaling and Kalos the Guardian will also be introduced, offering fresh trials and rewards. These changes will be pushed out of November however and become part of the December update. You’ll also see some more changes headed to the Reboot World in early 2024, as Nexon begins to categorize and clarify the distinct gameplay experiences between the worlds.
MapleStory has come a long way in 19th years, and it seems that the end of 2024 is shaping up to be huge with the New Age update. You can jump into the game and get started on your journey (or pick up where you left off) on Steam.
