 | ON: Content is age-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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
MapleStory
- Windows
- Price: $0.00
- Genre: Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG)
Common Sense Media says
Cute online role-playing game can get pricey.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
What's it about?
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
April 2, 2010
AGE
One thing you can get married.
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AGE
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.
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Kid, 10 years old
May 28, 2011
AGE
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!
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AGE
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!!!
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AGE
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.
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Kid, 10 years old
July 19, 2011
AGE
lllllllllllllllllllll
Its bad
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Kid, 11 years old
October 1, 2010
AGE
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
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AGE
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)
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AGE
like most MMORPGs they require you kill monsters to gain EXP, but the monsters are very fictional.
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AGE
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.
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| Platforms: | Windows |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG) |
| Developer: | Nexon |
| Release date: | October 18, 2005 |
| Price: | $0.00 |
| ESRB rating: | E10+ |
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