Getting started - MappleStory2 Review 2019
The game welcomes us with beautifully animated super deformed – manga style intro. And here we come to the first word of warning – if you don't have the stomach for Asian design/drawing style taken straight from anime, then a visual side of MapleStory 2 may be enough reason to fully reject the game. For the rest of you, who are at least fine with chibi characters and overall cartoony visuals, it will be a nice viewing experience. All the characters are looking good and are well animated. Each of 10 classes and jobs is well represented on respectfully character avatars. The same thing can be said about all of the mobs. Unlike the original game, which used “flat” 2D style gameplay, MS2 takes things into the third dimension by using an isometric camera. The visual department did their job well and can game can be a treat for the eyes.
In the music department, things are a little different. MapleStory 2 playlist consists of generic melodies that came to mind when you think about a typical JRPG title. Nothing special to brag about here. But there's an interesting option to change that state of things, which we'll talk about later.
Few words about combat – It's real-time, action-oriented experience. Your character can roam play field freely, which gives combat whole new deep. It makes you pay attention to your and enemies action, and by doing so it stands opposed to its predecessor, which was dull and blunt when it came to slashing and dicing waves of enemies. It is important to keep your eye on “Spirit” levels and think strategically about refilling them. This provides little strategy into your game plan because you have to choose between using your strictly offensive and more supportive skills. Taking it from a strictly technical viewpoint you can control your character by using one of these schemes: utilizing only mouse, only keyboard, a combination of both or X-Box gamepad. You can create up to 3 your own Macros Keys, which can be named any way you like.
Creating character.
As it is a norm for all Massively multiplayer online role-playing games, the first order of business is creating your own character. What separates MapleStory 2 from other Asian MMOs is a fact, that classes are not tied to specific, predetermined sex. Every one of them can be represented by a male, or female characters. After this important decision you can modify your character in a number of ways – you can choose one of 14 (male) and 15 (female) hairstyles and choose the color of it also. Same goes for face types and eyes color. After adding little cosmetics touches and choosing your character's skin color you can play little dress up. Each class comes with a specific wardrobe, but nothing stops you from changing it for something more of your liking.
So I've already mentioned classes twice. I've also mentioned that there are ten of them – Soul Binder, Archer, Assassin, Berserker, Heavy Gunner, Knight, Priest, Runeblade, Thief and Wizard. Most of these names are self-explanatory, but you can ask yourself what's Soul Binder's and Runeblade's deal is? First is a mystic martial artist, that attacks foes by using projectile attacks, that also can support other party members by casting shield spells and producing magic fields that heals them. Runeblade is a cross between melee and magical type of character. It offense combines blade attack with offensive spells. All classes can be divided into one group of classic MMO triad: Tank, Healer and DPS. So every style of gameplay is covered, and everybody will find a class that fits him the best.
The quest.
After creating your character you can finally get down to playing the game. You can progress through the main storyline and level up your avatar by competing Epic Quests. Every class has a few starting quests, and after them, rest becomes unlockable by reaching a certain experience level. They are marked by yellow exclamation and asking signs.
World Quests
You can also undertake World Quests, which are spread through MapleWorld. They are marked by blue exclamation sign. In almost every case you'll be rewarded with some amount of Mesos (in-game currency). Rarely you'll receive trophies, dyes, food, armor, and weapons. The higher level is requested to pick up the quest, the bigger is the reward.
Daily Quests
In MapleStory 2 every new day means new opportunities. You can seize them by undertaking Daily Quests. Marked by green exclamation sign they're available only through one in-game day. They divide into two kinds: guild quests and world boss quests. For completing them you will be rewarded with Mesos, but the second kind also rewards you with: Rue's, Guild Coins, Guild Exp, Guild Contribution, or Guild Funds.
Daily Missions
Located in the overworld map icon are the Daily Missions (not to be confused with Daily Quests). These simple tasks can be completed once a day. They reward you with a box, that includes a variety of items. Reward type depends on quest type.
Event Quests
Purple exclamation marks will inform you about the Event Quest. Tied to a specific in-game event, they last for no longer than 2 weeks. The reward is tied to the event itself, but it may vary by numbers of days you spend on completing the quest.
Guide Quests
Accessible by entering Maple Guide in the user interface. There's one for every character, and it can't be abandoned. If you don't complete it, you can always come back to it through Maple Guide interface and finish it. These quests award you with Mesos and experience points, but you can expect additional items like mounts, items, or vouchers.
Becoming Prestigious
After reaching level 50 you'll earn Prestige experience. It will increase your Prestige Rank and reward you with Mesos, Attribute Points and in-game perks. There are 1 000 000 points to earn daily, and after this limit is reached, next Prestige Experience gains are reduced.
By popular demand
Battle Royale is a very popular game mode nowadays and Maple Story 2 delivers its take on it in the form of Mushking Royale. It is season based, and will not be always active. A player starts by jumping off an air balloon and landing on a large map. There, he can collect items to throw at other players and battle monsters, which drop them.
It’s all fun and games
If you have some time on your hands you can spend it on other in-world activities, like for example, a couple of mini-games. They will pop up on the side of the screen, and they'll reward you with Mesos. Making it through to last round grants you a Kay Coin, which can be used in Queenstown to play a spin wheel prize type of game. You can try your luck in six different mini-games: Ludibrium Escape (you win by reaching the top, no matter the placement), Crazy Runners (Race from point A to point B, you must reach the finish line within time limit), Spring Beach (Taking place on little, square island, player must avoid randomized danger tile. Surviving 5 rounds guarantees you victory), Dance Dance Stop (All characters have to gather on specific tile and match up stated number. Surviving five rounds counts as a victory. Difficulty rises with each round, as time limit drops from 30 to 10 seconds), Trap Master (Taking place on chessboard-like square, lasting for 5 rounds. During each round tiles vanish in randomized pattern, and players have to guess which will fall off the board), Sole Survivor (It's similar to Trap Master, but the number of falling of tiles increases with every next round. Unlike other mini-games, this one last only 4 rounds).
If you like more slow-paced activities you can always spend your time fishing. Both give you EXP and you can take them in your spare time.
Your Personal Playground
Customization is a lion share of MapleStory 2 gameplay. The variety of things you can modify is impressing. For starters – you can customize your own name tag, and chat bubbles. Not happy with nearest outfit shop selection? You can always get into the DIY spirit and fully customize your very own outfit by using Maple Workshop. Some knowledge about computer graphic programs will be needed in order to modify the templates.
Home Sweet Home
But clothes aren't the only thing that you can freely customize, because you can modify the look of your in-game home. There is a wide selection of free building blocks, and you can always buy customizable ones. Furthermore, you can always take your design and sell them to other players via the in-game Design Shop. There's a chance that your design will appeal to other players, which can nominate your building raising your position as an architect.
Music: Soothes a savage beast
Remember when I mentioned in-game music is generic, and you have an option to change it? You guessed it – in MapleStory 2 music also is fully customizable. You can import it from your own files (which will take some knowledge about editing), or make it the fun way – compose and perform it yourself. You can do it solo, or in a band. You'll need instruments, blank sheets, and some determination, but nothing can't compare to listening to your own music while playing a video game. Like with house design – you can sell your art to other players.
MapleStory 2 Crafting
You can't have a good MMO game without crafting and MapleStory2 provides good mechanics for this activity. First, you have to remember that there are limits to how many materials you can gather at one time. The gathering comes in four types: Mining, Foraging, Ranching, and good old Farming. You will be informed of reaching them by “Impossible” pop up. When you've got enough materials you can begin your crafting – Smithing, Handicrafts, Alchemy and Cooking.
Mostly you will unlock new costume parts and housing items. You can also increase gains for different gatherings. Some items crafted by you can temporally buff up your character. By reaching higher levels of crafting you will be able to craft your own weapons.
And if you hate to much on your plate, you can always hire an NPC assistant. Every one of them is described with crafting level and ranking. They can make your work easier, but you'll have to pay them a monthly fee.
#GuildGoals
That's right – Guilds are present in MapleStory2. Each guild is obligated to acquire its own home area. Of course, you can customize it to your liking by adding shops and NPC assistants. By leveling up your guild and putting it on a high ranking place you are presented with the option of buying different looks for guild home. But be aware that it takes lots and lots of Mesos. However, the presentation is everything and well designed and looking guild house will be a testimony to your guild strength and power. Gameplay wise guilds have some fancy tricks at their disposal, which are activated at guild's leader will.
Maplestory 2 Review - The final word
MapleStory2 stands as a unique multiplayer experience with a Japanese (Korean to be more specific) flavor attached to it. It is simple at the core but thanks to rich customization capabilities it can become a great, one of a kind adventure, where your creativity plays a major role. MapleWorld offers more than just leveling your character and fulfilling quest after quest. Why just take part in some raids and dungeon exploring, when you can do it with expressing your own style. Just give it a try (it's free to play after all) and you will not regret becoming part of MapleStory2 community.
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