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MapleStory (Windows)

common sense media says

Cute online role-playing game can get pricey.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

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.

Educational value: Teamwork is necessary to defeat harder parts of the game.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Like most MMORPGs, you are required to kill monsters to advance in this game, however, monsters just fall over and disappear. If your avatar gets killed, it's replaced by a "ghost shape."
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: There's open chat, but a strong language filter is available that can't be turned off.
Consumerism: This game is free to play, but monetizes by micro-transactions -- buying items and in-game cash with real money. These purchased items expire after 90 days and the cycle begins again.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on MapleStory

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

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).

Is it any good?

Is 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.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Windows
Not available online
Genre: Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG)
Developer: Nexon
Released on: October 18, 2005
Price: 0.00
ESRB Rating: E10+

This review was written by Carolyn Koh
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9

Most useful reviews by all members

sueluck
parent of 8 and 12 year old
 
My 8-yr-old and 11-r-old are totally addicted to it. Our babysitter showed it to them and it was bye bye kids. DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS START TO PLAY THIS GAME, YOU WILL NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN.

Joey Joebob
kid, 12 years old
 
One thing you can get married.

gameman
kid, 11 years old
 
Get the iphone version if you like being a theive
I bought the iphone version named maple story theives edition where you getto play as a theive. GREAT GAME

wizardortitan
kid, 10 years old
 
MapleStory is awesome!
Rated E10+. The biggest virtual world of all time! Forget Club Penguin, Dizzywood, and all those other virtual worlds (Webkinz is alright)! MAPLE. STORY. FOOOOREVER!

Demenshunz
teen, 14 years old
 
Don't Trust the Filters ( And an overall Review )
I used to play this game. But as my parents began watching how this game is played and some of the language that appeared they grew unhappy. I loved this game and not to the point of addiction. Marriage is available in this game but it is only available through money payment of nexon cash. Should you let your child play this game, warn them about sexual predators. No joke. There are TONS of them lurking about on this game. Most naughty language is allowed through the filters. Numbers, email adresses, names, cell phone numbers, race, age,ect. Is all allowed through the filters. On a lighter note, your children may form lasting friendships, develop teamwork skills, and most of all. Patience. While doing quests for either your job masters or to earn Exp ( Experience points ) they may be long and mountainous and any drops from monsters will not always drop when you want them to! I'd say from an innocent child's perspective. It's good. But for a parents perspective? Not so much. Overall it is the parent's call and in my personal opinion it is best to simply tell your child what behavior is acceptable. They will be exposed to this stuff eventually, you know. OH! I almost forgot. One of the maps is a bar. But you cannot buy alcohol or anything. The refrence is there. Product placement is inevitable. Most of the players will spend money on the products. So let your child know ahead of time " If you see any fancy items and you look in the cash shop, they are off limits because they cost real world money " - Ex-Player And Responsible Teen.

crissreviews
teen, 14 years old
 
Awesome game for all MMORPG players!!
I very recently got my account on Maplestory, and so far I love it! I think what I've seen so far is age apropriate for almost everyone, except the interface can be a little confusing. If there's a younger kid that is confused by the interface they should work up to it by trying the really simple Runescape interface. What I've seen so far is all fantasy violence, no PK's. The character customization is awesome, except I haven't found out yet just how many items you need to really pay for. The consumerism is probably the only thing to be careful of in this game, because on the website it shows these characters all decked out in gear but I bet a lot a lot of that stuff is from the cash shop. Overall, Maplestory is an action sidescroller, anime-like MMORPG. My only advice is the same that I give for other RPG's. Casual gamers don't get sucked in and waste your money on the cash gimmick, hardcore addicted people, whatever. Soon they might start out new players with some free cash anyway, because Neopets did this gimmick so I quit and checked it out later to find they gave 150 neocash to new accounts. Overall I say 10+ just because the interface is kind of complicated and the controls are really annoying unless you have bigger, more coordinated hands from gaming.

KiPunk11
teen, 15 years old
 
Sweet game, weird name.
Here's the breakdown: Violance- It's everywhere, but mostly cartoony, but sometimes brutal.(slicing snails faces off, cutting off sciclopses tails) Sex- none to speak of, really Language- All is blocked by the mighty fillter!!! Crap and frick is ALL your gonna get away with. Commercialism-Target and CVS are advertised in-game for carrying CashCards All in all, a greatastic game. 10/10!!!

Vivian_L
teen, 17 years old
 
I love it, but it's way too addicting~
There really aren't any problems with violence, language, or anything else for a kid over the age of 7; the real problem with this game is it's TOO ADDICTING. I removed it off my computer after years of playing because once I got on, I would play for 6-7 hours. Obviously I love this game and it's incredibly fun, but if you have self-control issues like me, you should probably avoid it. (unless you have nothing better to do all day)

Miwa-Sempai
teen, 16 years old
 
Cute, fun, EXPENSIVE.
The gameplay is very fun and addicting. The graphics are very cute and anime-ish. The stories are humorous. But you have to BUY a lot of your characters clothes. The price of a shirt? Around five dollars. And you only get to keep the clothes that you buy for three months, then you have to buy it AGAIN. You spend at least ten dollars for a full outfit. If you buy a full closetfull of clothes, you can easily spend A LOT of money, REALLY FAST. And then, after the three months, -POOF!- all that money you spent is down the drain. Only play this game if you can limit yourself to buying ten dollars worth of items each month. Aside from that, the game really is fun, and a good break from regular RPGs. It's your choice.

 
An addictive time sucker
This game, well, it's hard to suceed and some lifeless losers spend days on the computer bvecaus ethey are hooked. I sadly am too, so don't get sucked into the vortex of Maplestory!!!

youngerkid12
kid, 9 years old
 
lllllllllllllllllllll
Its bad

 
Perfect for EVERYONE
This is the best game ive ever played PERFECT!!!!!!!!!! FOR EVERYONE

Kappa Mizu
kid, 11 years old
 
it's block for me but used to use it....:(
i love the game but it's block for me but a game almost like it is la tale. but both of them r good :)

meteorite01
teen, 16 years old
 
like most MMORPGs they require you kill monsters to gain EXP, but the monsters are very fictional.

alana55
teen, 16 years old
 
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

shanny24
teen, 14 years old
 
It has ups and downs
Its a good game and is very addictive and fun but there is inappropriate language at times even though there are filter and most of the players are between 14-17 so the people on there do act mature with language and all

Ja13
kid, 13 years old
 
Best 2D game yet
LOVE IT. my friends play it and i use my account while im there sometimes, but its SUPER addicting. Its the only thing they do except what their parents make them do, and I mean MAKE them. Its really fun though, and should u be thinkiong about letting ur 10 year old have it, its the perfect game.

Dooble Head
kid, 13 years old
 
I think the ages should be 11-17
I play this game, but it CAN get very addictive. There are some cuss words that are used, but on the other hand it's very fun. Also some of my friends play it. They love it to, but they play it almost ALL the time. You don't want to turn out like them do you? All screen time? Give it a break every once in a while! Get some fresh air!

tokidoki
teen, 14 years old
 
Good game for 10+
This game is a good game. There are some problems though. Alot of the players use swear words! Customer Service is sorta bad. IT IS SUPER ADDICTING Good things It is an easy to play 2-d Side-scroller game. This game is actually geared towards 10+ so there are some monster "killings" to level up. The graphics are chibi and kawaii and the game is overall a good game.

rhater
kid, 8 years old
 
AWSOME

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age