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MapleStory
(2005, Video Games - Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG), Rated E10+, Play it on: Windows)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 12. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Cute online role-playing game can get pricey.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12–13
The good stuff
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Educational value:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of MapleStory was written by Carolyn Koh
Parents need to know that massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) like this one, with their quick reward systems, can be very compelling. Players can be drawn into an online world and lose track of time while playing. Although rated by the ERSB for 10+, and originally designed for ages 6 and up, this game's End User License Agreement recommends 13+ with parental consent. This is mainly because, even though the cute factor is a draw for 6-year-olds, teens and up comprise most of the players and instances of bad behavior and language are always a risk of joining online communities. Although free to download and play, this game can get expensive: players can use real money to buy virtual items in the online mall or cash shop, and those items expire after 90 days -- at which point players are prompted to purchase them all over again.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about why games like these can be addictive. Parents can also discuss social etiquette online. What's OK and what's not? Have you ever noticed bad online behavior? What did you do about it? Also, how is teamwork an asset in this game?
More on MapleStory
What’s the Story?
MAPLESTORY is a 2-D, side-scrolling MMORPG that looks and feels like a "platformer" -- a type of video game where players have to get their characters onto platforms. Cute and colorful in an anime style, it's a game that's easy to get into and play. The entry is easy and the PC requirements are low. Like most MMORPGs, gameplay centers around exploring dungeons (maze-like environments) and killing monsters with swords or magic to earn gold -- called "mesos."
Gameplay is simple as you move forward and backward with the arrow keys, jump with the Alt key, and perform combat with the Ctrl key. Aside from exploring dungeons and killing monsters, there are mini-games that are found in the game and on special quests. Most of the quests are of the "Kill X creatures and bring me Y pelts" variety. Mini-games can be played solo as well as multiplayer and include a tic-tac-toe variant, a matching cards memory game, rock-paper-scissors, and pachinko (a variant of pinball).
CloseIs It Any Good?
Pets provide another layer of depth in this game, but must be bought from the cash or item shop with real money, and like any items purchased from the cash shop, they last only 90 days, whereupon the owner must buy a "water of life" and perform a quest to revive it. The cash shop also provides "fluff" avatar customization items and it's easy to get in a never-ending cycle of buying items with real cash. Platform gameplay can be very engaging and the large community a draw into this game. Close
Publisher’s Details
Released on 10/18/2005, price $0.00, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E10+
ESRB rating: E10+
Our Members Say
See all 16 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Safety isn't an issue
- Easy to play
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Where are the rogue clothes???????
I mentioned how I got the game a while ago. So I was playing, having a good time, and I got the job of thief. And I'm like, "Yay, I'm a thief, now I get to dress all cool!" So I went to go find the thief clothes store, and I COULDN'T FIND IT!! Every time I went on my computer I looked for the store selling thief clothes, but I couldn't find it anywhere! To make things worse, I KNOW there's a place to buy thief clothes, because before I became a thief I looked at some thief clothes. I found some weapons, but I refuse to progress in the game until I get some clothes. I'm still wearing my noob clothes, it's embarrassing!
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Easy to play
MapleStory is the BOMB
It is a fun, easy-to-play game. Basically, there are 6 jobs: Magician, Warrior, Thief, Bowman, Pirate, and Beginner. They are also broken down into more jobs which I won't get into. There are fun quests and you train and level and earn money. There is some language problems from older kids and it gets really addicting because it's SO AWESOME! You make friends with people from far away and it's like having a pen pal only way cooler. Did i mention its SUPER ADDICTING?? :P
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
not bad
PEOPLE DONT KNOW WHAT THER TALKING ABOUT its can be for 10 yr olds but people are all ways try to make out with you and stuff but it is fun and its sooo addicting
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Okay.
I went on my friends acc but so far it's kinda like a online video game. Like most websites, this one can be addicting. I didn't want to make one because I suck at fighting online or on video games. (takes me forever to beat the whole thing) but like 2 days ago I went back to the site to check on it. This just proves how it's addicting even though I just looked at it.
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