MapleStory 2 is a cutesy, 3D voxel-based (like Minecraft) free-to-play MMO. It’s actually the prequel of the original side-scrolling MapleStory, despite being the second game. The overall world size got smaller, but content multiplied within that small space. While that doesn’t necessarily make the game good, it’s a step up from the linearity of the previous game. Whether you’re a MapleStory 2 Mesos farmer, raider, or a story buff, there are many things you can do within the game.
Still not convinced MapleStory 2 is worth your time? Here are just five awesome reasons for why you should pick up the game and play it.
Casual, No Commitment Play
MapleStory 2 doesn’t require you to play through the story quests. It works a little like a sandbox, in that players are free to choose what they want to do. They can do quests, explore, collect items, grind, and even make and decorate their own house!
It isn’t a skill-heavy game at all. Combat in the game is simple enough that a kid could pick it up easily. That means even if you stopped playing for a long time, it’s easy to get back into the game; you won’t skip a beat. You don’t have to keep playing to train and keep your skills. It’s a game you can play to refresh your mind or to relax.
Tons of Collections to Complete
If you’re a collector at heart or a completionist, there are
many, many things to gather in MapleStory 2. From clothing and equipment to
mounts and materials, it’s a treasure trove waiting for players. Just trying to
100% everything in this game will take hours upon hours of play time. It’s
guaranteed to keep you occupied for a while, even if you end up not completing
anything.
Easy to Learn
As stated in the first point, combat in the game is quite
simple. Sure, you can choose not to take advantage of having macros that allow
activation of multiple skills in succession. Also, there are strategies and builds
to consider. With those two facts, you can make the game a bit more
challenging. However, at its very base, combat in the game is just pressing a
button and watching enemies explode. Nothing could be easier than that, right?
It’s a good thing for those who want to play with non-gamers. After all, MapleStory 2 is way more fun when you play it with a friend or two, and this game is really easy to pick up.
A Social Game
The game pushes players to work with others. Certain quests and events require the participation of multiple players. Raids and boss battles are also quite difficult to complete solo. Some even need about 50 people fighting to complete it. You can max out your levels solo, but a majority of the endgame content can only be completed by teams. As the next point will prove, MapleStory 2 is more of a social game than anything else.
User-Generated Content and Freedom of Expression
One of the biggest features of MapleStory 2 is the player’s ability to craft their own clothing and furniture, among other things. It provides a high degree of customization and individual expression. Houses are unique to their owners, you can make your own clothes, and you can play what you want. Of course, that’s assuming you have the energy and discipline to create all these things yourself.
At any rate, this kind of feature makes it obvious that it
is first and foremost a social game. Creating things for your own personal use
or for others to use, as well as the push to connect with others, are the most
important things in the game. In some ways, it also is an adventure RPG.
However, that is a secondary characteristic.
Some Parting Words
Nothing is perfect, and MapleStory 2 has its own share of
flaws. Bugs abound for some users, even if for others it works smoothly. The
cutesy anime style also doesn’t sit well with players who have a different
aesthetic taste. Hardcore players would also chafe at the overly simple combat mechanics.
On top of that, the game’s publisher (Nexon) has a track record of churning out
play-to-win games.
On the flipside, if you agree with our five reasons to play this game, by all means, give it a shot. It’s true that you can’t please everybody, but that doesn’t mean MapleStory 2 can’t please anybody. There will be those who like the casual, laid-back atmosphere of the game, and will enjoy playing it. It all depends on the player’s preference.
If you do decide to give it a try, make sure to start off on the right foot by checking out our MapleStory 2 Shadow Expedition Mesos Guide for Assassins.
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In my opinnion one of biggest pros of MS 2 right now is that you can buy Mesos very cheap