MapleStory 2 will not be what you may need come to count on from Korean MMOs – neither overearnest, nor obsessive about the frenzy of levelling for its personal sake. Instead, that is an MMO for many who love tales and exploration.
Within minutes you could be unintentionally setting fireplace to an anime Hogwarts as a wizard delinquent. Then the game shifts gears – insofar as horse-drawn caravans have gears – and also you’re dealing with off in opposition to a bunch of vile villains… with wings. This is a fantasy game, in spite of everything.
Loads of game builders lose their sense of humour when confronted with constructing a fantasy world, however MapleStory 2 has comedy baked into its very being. From its reluctant but impatient protagonist to its considerably irresponsible authority figures, the game’s epic story hits completely different beats than different MMOs – even whereas satisfying the nostalgic want for RPG heroes and villains.
Getting round that world is a brand new prospect, too. MapleStory 2 is seen from on excessive, which lends its land to exploration, and distinguishes it as an MMO that isn’t merely chasing after World of Warcraft.
Enter a brand new dimension
You would possibly keep in mind the unique MapleStory as a side-scroller, uncommon in its style for making use of vertical house. With MapleStory 2 the collection has transitioned into 3D – however that shouldn’t be taken as an indication that it’s grow to be extra standard. Rather than a third-person RPG, MapleStory 2’s world is made up of isometric dioramas, retaining its cute and accessible presentation.
Exploring appears like exploring, not simply legging it to the subsequent quest NPC
It’s attractively blocky, each within the tiered lecture halls of magic college and out within the broad world, the place the oaks are so tall they may comprise a complete road of tree homes. It’s no much less vertiginous both, since you’ll be able to climb any floor within the game. Exploring feels like exploring, relatively than merely legging it from one exclamation mark to the subsequent.
This is a whole reimagining of MapleStory, filling out acquainted personalities and places from the primary game in three dimensions – whether or not that’s the comfortable mushroom city of Henesys, or urbanised thief hideout Kerning City. And, in fact, which means you’ll be able to customise your character from each angle too…
Become who you have been meant to be
MapleStory 2 has a stylised aesthetic – a lot in order that its wizards are taught particularly tips on how to take care of the disarming menace of “cute monsters” – however there’s nonetheless loads of styling left to do your self. The game begins with character customisation that’s, properly, extra characterful than you is perhaps used to – we paired a ‘Lovely Breeze’ hairdo with a ‘Scoffing Face’. This is an editor very a lot in tune with the priorities of its viewers, permitting you to find out the precise measurement and place of your pigtails.
The customisation extends even past the locks that brush in opposition to your elbows. You can’t solely craft and smith equipment, however add your personal designs for weapons and armour. The sense of freedom solely expands as you get deeper into the design of your fantasy character. Colour your hair inexperienced and your eyes pink – no one right here will cease you from expressing your self.
Put down roots
The spirit of journey could also be everlasting, however finally the nomadic way of life of MapleStory 2 must be supported with relaxation, and so in some unspecified time in the future it’s time to cool down. Thankfully, the game grants you the flexibility to carve out an area for your self with your personal home.
Rather than merely a glorified treasure chest by which to dump your stuff, MapleStory 2’s home system lets you purchase and place furnishings manually, as you’d in a home builder like The Sims. It’s an concept that gels properly with the game’s charmingly offered cuboid world, whereas additionally leaving room for loads of complexity must you search it out. If you’re feeling formidable, for example, you would possibly need to create a circuit system on your home equipment. Rare is the RPG that precisely represents the significance of white items.
It’s potential to rent workers and begin a farm – or stuff your mansion with costly objects and invite your folks over to see how the opposite half dwell. If that’s not firm sufficient, you’ll be able to convert your own home right into a pub and welcome excellent strangers as a substitute.
Indulge in RPG nostalgia
Clambering over the surroundings in MapleStory 2 isn’t only a method to preserve your self entertained on the best way from quest A to quest B. Every map within the game has particular exploration objectives to finish, whether or not that’s catching a taxi from Lith Harbor, or taking in Tria’s graffiti. It’s the form of encouragement to have interaction with the world that MMOs so not often find time for – although, MapleStory 2 finds house for the normal satisfactions of the style, too.
There’s an epic story quest, plus difficult dungeons and raids, which you’ll be able to play by means of as a knight, berserker, wizard, priest, archer, heavy gunner, thief, murderer, or the model new runeblade. MapleStory 2’s class roster has expanded because it was launched in Korea three years in the past, so now you get a wealth of choices when deciding the way you’ll play by means of the game. Pick a category and got down to save the universe from evil, basking within the melodrama and all of the laughs you’ll get from MapleStory 2’s frequent figuring out winks to RPG conference.
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