MapleStory
Welcome to MapleStory, the original side-scrolling MMORPG where epic adventure, action and good friends await you. With hundreds of hours of gameplay, this immersive role-playing experience will allow you to unleash your wild side as you create and train a mighty hero, conquer perilous dungeons, overcome terrifying bosses, socialize with your friends and much more. Your MapleStory begins today!
What it feels like
The colorful anime aesthetic and whimsical monster design create an accessible, fun-first tone rather than grim or serious.
What it's about
An epic fantasy world of adventure, dungeons, and mighty heroes is the setting.
How it plays
Character leveling via experience grinding is a core progression loop across hundreds of hours of gameplay. Platforming navigation and jumping across the side-scrolling environment is a major traversal challenge. Character classes define roles and progression paths in building a mighty hero.
How it looks and sounds
Explicitly marketed as a side-scrolling MMORPG; the 2D side-view is the canonical visual presentation. Japanese anime-inspired character design and aesthetic is a recognized visual signature (via Steam tags). Rounded, chibi-leaning character proportions and adorable creature design contribute to the cute tone.
How it's structured
Hundreds of millions of players in a persistent shared world is the definitive core of MapleStory's identity. A shared persistent world that evolves with thousands of concurrent players is fundamental to the MMO experience. Ongoing seasonal updates and rotating content sustain the playerbase over nearly two decades post-launch.
Kindred games
Shares Side View, MMO, Class System, Leveling & Grind.
Both lean into Side View, MMO, Class System, Leveling & Grind.
Shares MMO, Persistent World, Leveling & Grind, High Fantasy.
Both lean into MMO, Persistent World, Leveling & Grind, High Fantasy.
Shares MMO, Turn-Based Combat, Persistent World, Class System.
Both lean into MMO, Turn-Based Combat, Persistent World, Class System.
See all games like MapleStory →
Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Dungeon Crawl, Loot & Drops, Leveling & Grind, High Fantasy. 95% positive across 4,427 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Dungeon Crawl, Loot & Drops, Leveling & Grind, High Fantasy.
A lesser-known kindred — Turn-Based Combat, High Fantasy, Class System, Party Management. 88% positive across 4,251 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Turn-Based Combat, High Fantasy, Class System, Party Management.
A lesser-known kindred — Turn-Based Combat, Class System, Leveling & Grind, Party Management. 87% positive across 4,324 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Turn-Based Combat, Class System, Leveling & Grind, Party Management.