Parents' Guide to MapleStory 2

This role-playing game (RPG) sequel marks a massive step forward for the fourteen-year-old MMO. Not only do the 3D graphics of MapleStory 2 give the game a much richer look, its many new activities gives players lots more to do. Many of the old limits have been removed, such as eliminating the original game's "pay-to-win" reputation. Unless you're constantly playing the game (not a healthy routine, to be sure), there's enough free content to keep you busy for months. Loads of places to explore, items to craft, and houses to build and decorate. If you're more combat focused, PvP (player versus player) and themed dungeons provide fun opportunities to test your skills. And if all this isn't enough, there's the silly, randomly-announced mini-games that pit you against a crowd of other players in good-natured party activities. MapleStory 2's main strength is how it trains new players. With all there is to do, there's lots to absorb, but it's done in a way that's entertaining. The new 3D graphics are so dang cute, and the custom mini-movies, animations, and semi-hidden details make it fun just to run around.

The one issue MapleStory 2 needs to work on is performance. In highly-populated fights, frame rate can drop, making the game stutter and slow down. Other concerns are more content-related: parents should be aware that player chat can contain inappropriate language and subject-matter, and provides opportunities for cyber-bullying. Also, some busty female characters in the game wear revealing outfits, and Nexon's currently working to screen out items made with the game's built-in clothing customization function (that lets players design their own in-game clothing) that contain politically-offensive imagery. Still, even with these technical and content-related issues, MapleStory 2 is a rare example of online RPG excellence and a fantastic free-to-play game for kids over ten.