Mabinogi

Game review by Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media
Mabinogi Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

A somewhat deep role-playing game with character.

Windows 2008
Rate game

Parents say

age 12+

Based on 9 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 9 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that there is plenty of violence in this massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) -- the player receives a sword about 15 minutes into the game -- but there is no blood or gore. However, the violence can be a bit graphic, such as a "smash skill" move that has your character stabbing an enemy with a long sword and then using his boot to kick the injured character off the blade. Since players can talk with one another online, there is an unknown factor of what others will say. Swear words are filtered out (we tried typing them in and it shows up as asterixes in the live chat window). The game doesn't contain sexual content but some of the characters you meet have very large breasts that look a little strange on a girl with a child-like face with big eyes (anime style). While this game is offered for free, you will get nickel and dimed by a series of "micro transactions."

Community Reviews

Tom R.
Tom R. Adult
February 22, 2023
age 12+
This game is very inappropriate for young teens getting groomed/messages from creepy old men. Very predatorial game and it seems the staff doesn't care too much about it.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Commission
Commission Adult
July 4, 2015
age 11+

Completely Misunderstood

Ever since that big incident a few days ago in which a player decided to go and commit a crime, this source seems to be used quite often to show what this game is about. However, most of this information is not quite correct. For one, Mabinogi, as the slogan itself indicates, is a "FANTASY LIFE" game. Yes, there is combat in it just as every other MMORPG would but you'll spend 90% of your time socializing and most likely being a merchant to make money for fashion because thats a HUGE aspect of the game people seem to love. The economy works remarkably similar to real life. So, if anything it's a great lesson for younger kids in economics, teaching how you can successfully earn funds in a legal and safe manner. Regarding the violent aspect: the basics of combat in this game is comparable to an intensely advanced version of rock paper scissors in real time. And the sexual content? Well there's always a few perverts here and there on every online game. But in terms of content, it's quite child friendly. Sure, you may bring up the fact that when you unequip all your items, your character sprite is left in his poorly pixelated undergarments, but that happens in almost every MMORPG out there since it's logical. I rate this game for 10 and up in terms of maturity required for the content. However since it is about socializing, and most the players are usually within the age range of 14-25, you might want to wait until 13 simply because the community will have an impact on you if you like to hang out.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
See all 9 parent reviews

What’s It About?

Rather than charging the typical $15 a month to play a massively-multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), Korean-based Nexon Group has a different strategy: give the core game away for free but offer small \"micro transactions\" to players -- a dollar here, two bucks there -- that provide additional weapons, items, skills, and locations. The latest in the company's string of popular games is MABINOGI, an ambitious fantasy MMORPG with an attractive 3-D \"cel-shaded\" anime art style (including pre-rendered cinematics), multiple roles players can partake in (from heroic warriors to humble farmers), and a rich community in which to play together as a small party or specialized guild.

Already a huge success in Asia with more than 7 million players, Mabinogi (http://mabinogi.nexon.net/landing/) utilizes a real-time, mouse-driven combat system, not unlike Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo. After creating a custom character (by selecting a name, face, hair, clothes, and so on) you'll begin exploring a countryside town and trying out your fighting moves on creatures such as foxes and raccoons, but will soon take on missions that pits you against bigger and deadlier beasts. Whether fighting alone or in groups, there is no blood or gore during combat, but the violence can be a bit graphic, such as a \"smash skill\" move that has your character stab an enemy with a long sword and then use their boot to kick it off the blade. Special items, such as potions, can be mapped to the F keys for easy access.

Is It Any Good?

As characters progress by completing missions, they'll develop skills in one of three categories -- life, combat, and magic -- so while most will likely choose fighting as their modus operandi, players will benefit from additional "ability points" by becoming a prominent member in their community, which can occur when you fish or cook for others. Players can also earn daily "bonuses" (based on the game's clock) and the character will grow taller as they get older (up to 21 years of age). Whether you're a casual player who wants to dabble in a free MMORPG or a hardcore gamer curious to know what all the hoopla is about, we had fun spending three days living in Mabinogi with its attractive graphics, huge world, and intuitive combat system.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether Nexon's approach of "micro transactions" is a good for the consumer. Is getting the game for free an appealing advantage over the typical $15 a month for other role-playing games or does this pose more of a nuisance for those who want access to everything up front for a flat monthly fee?

Game Details

Our Editors Recommend

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