2013-05-20, 05:27 AM
I'm not going to say that MapleStory was better before Big Bang, Ossyria, Fangblade, Cash Shop, MTS, etc, etc. However, I do have fonder memories of the game back during those times, mainly because it felt more like an adventure.
MapleStory was always about the adventure of doing something exciting and new for me. Exploring the vast world that the game offered was what kept me playing. The unveiling of Ludibrium, Ossyria, and the Third Job advancement were met with cheers and excitement. Everyone was happy to see these new additions to the game, and I remember eagerly waiting to see what awaited me beyond these new lands and gameplay mechanics. I remember talking with people on the boat rides to and from continents, usually showing off some new item or playing an omok game to pass the time. It's how I met most of the people on my friend's list, and made things a little more personal.
Party Quests were fun, and I remember rapidly clicking the NPC to get into a quest, hoping someone wouldn't change channel and beat me into the quest. I remember questing to pass the time and learn more about the lore behind the Maple Universe. I remember questioning how Orbis, El Nath, and Ludibrium all fit onto the world map. I remember venturing into the depths of El Nath hoping to get past the Yetis, or hoping I could travel down the dungeon on Victoria Island to find myself the mysterious Jr. Balrog.
Training-wise, I remember spending hours upon hours to gain a single level, but yet, I still enjoyed it. Talking with my friends, listening to music while I killed Jr. Yetis (With the chance of finding the occasional transforming Jr. Yeti), Zombies, Mixed Golems, Dual Ghost Pirates, and other monsters. I remember being asked to rage parties because nobody bothered with the Page/White Knight class. I remember the excitement of leveling to 70 and finally gaining the ability to charge my sword.
Nowadays, I'm not going to say MapleStory has necessarily gotten worse. But the sense of mystery and adventure seems to have vanished. The maps on Victoria Island in the past were twisted, often full of wrong turns and dead ends. The Hidden Streets and pointless maps may not have been useful, but they added that extra sense of exploration and adventure to each continent. When I look at the new maps, it feels like everything is streamlined to quicken the travel time. It's not an adventure, it's another hurdle to get from Point A to Point B.
I'll never see the game in the same light as I did in the past. However, I treasure the memories I have of the game. It was a big part of my life, and even though I don't play anymore, I still like to look back and think about the fun times I had with this game.
-Ace
MapleStory was always about the adventure of doing something exciting and new for me. Exploring the vast world that the game offered was what kept me playing. The unveiling of Ludibrium, Ossyria, and the Third Job advancement were met with cheers and excitement. Everyone was happy to see these new additions to the game, and I remember eagerly waiting to see what awaited me beyond these new lands and gameplay mechanics. I remember talking with people on the boat rides to and from continents, usually showing off some new item or playing an omok game to pass the time. It's how I met most of the people on my friend's list, and made things a little more personal.
Party Quests were fun, and I remember rapidly clicking the NPC to get into a quest, hoping someone wouldn't change channel and beat me into the quest. I remember questing to pass the time and learn more about the lore behind the Maple Universe. I remember questioning how Orbis, El Nath, and Ludibrium all fit onto the world map. I remember venturing into the depths of El Nath hoping to get past the Yetis, or hoping I could travel down the dungeon on Victoria Island to find myself the mysterious Jr. Balrog.
Training-wise, I remember spending hours upon hours to gain a single level, but yet, I still enjoyed it. Talking with my friends, listening to music while I killed Jr. Yetis (With the chance of finding the occasional transforming Jr. Yeti), Zombies, Mixed Golems, Dual Ghost Pirates, and other monsters. I remember being asked to rage parties because nobody bothered with the Page/White Knight class. I remember the excitement of leveling to 70 and finally gaining the ability to charge my sword.
Nowadays, I'm not going to say MapleStory has necessarily gotten worse. But the sense of mystery and adventure seems to have vanished. The maps on Victoria Island in the past were twisted, often full of wrong turns and dead ends. The Hidden Streets and pointless maps may not have been useful, but they added that extra sense of exploration and adventure to each continent. When I look at the new maps, it feels like everything is streamlined to quicken the travel time. It's not an adventure, it's another hurdle to get from Point A to Point B.
I'll never see the game in the same light as I did in the past. However, I treasure the memories I have of the game. It was a big part of my life, and even though I don't play anymore, I still like to look back and think about the fun times I had with this game.
-Ace