Depending on how they handle this game, it has the potential to be a huge hit or a major failure. The things that drew me to MS were the 2D Graphics, Creative Towns and the fact that it was just plain fun. Sadly those days are behind us in Maplestory. I used to play so often but things have changed. It's now about being elite, grinding for hours on end and being rich rather than having fun.
Maybe the fact that I'm Lv.186 is what took most of my pleasure from the game (too much playing, nothing else to do, no PQs, slow training, etc) but I think it's more than just that. I remember having so much fun doing Ludibrium PQ and exploring Ludibrium, trying to get to the end and dying at the buffys. It's that sense of challenge and exploration that makes the game stay interesting.
Unfortunately the high level community is pretty small compared to the low level community, so nexon doesn't bother releasing much end game content. Other than Horntail and Pink Been, there's really nothing else to do. The highest level and best training monsters are Lv.108 which is why it takes people forever to get to level 200 (I get 3% an hour at Skelegons on double EXP and I 100% 1 Hit Kill them with Genesis 30, that's ridiculously slow. So slow I don't even bother trying to level anymore) and there's really no sense of challenge because you can and have already done everything, been everywhere and fought everything.
Maplestory 2 could recapture all of that if the developers do it properly. I could imagine this game in 3D, it would be epic...
I'll keep this short but let me just say that if you think Nexon is bad, you really should try some of the other Free MMO's out there. I used to think the same thing, but trust me, they are amazing compared to the alternatives. Yes people with money get a huge advantage, but you don't need to spend real money to catch up. I never spent a cent of real money and I bought all of my NX with Mesos through the MTS. I did all of the following with the MTS:
- Reset 86 AP.
- Bought Pet, Pet Loot, Meso Magnet, Item Pouch and Water of Life.
- Bought 2 or 3 complete NX Clothes Outfits to cover up my lukless character.
- Bought about 15 30 Day 2x EXP cards to get me from Lv.146 to Lv.186.
- Bought 3 or 4 months of 30 Day 2x Drop Cards to fund myself.
- Bought Megaphones, Hair Coupons and Various other Cosmetic Items.
So yes, it's a lot more work to enjoy the game if you don't pay real money, but at least it's still possible. Look at games such as Trickster. You can't get Cash Shop items in that game unless you spend real money. You could do an under the counter trade with other players for in game currency but you risk getting scammed and if the user chargebacks your account will get banned. Also the cash items in trickster give crazy stats. It'd be the equivalent of Nexon selling Zakum Helmets and Horntail Pendants in the Cash Shop. So count your blessings that it's at least possible to compete in this game without spending money.
Maybe the fact that I'm Lv.186 is what took most of my pleasure from the game (too much playing, nothing else to do, no PQs, slow training, etc) but I think it's more than just that. I remember having so much fun doing Ludibrium PQ and exploring Ludibrium, trying to get to the end and dying at the buffys. It's that sense of challenge and exploration that makes the game stay interesting.
Unfortunately the high level community is pretty small compared to the low level community, so nexon doesn't bother releasing much end game content. Other than Horntail and Pink Been, there's really nothing else to do. The highest level and best training monsters are Lv.108 which is why it takes people forever to get to level 200 (I get 3% an hour at Skelegons on double EXP and I 100% 1 Hit Kill them with Genesis 30, that's ridiculously slow. So slow I don't even bother trying to level anymore) and there's really no sense of challenge because you can and have already done everything, been everywhere and fought everything.
Maplestory 2 could recapture all of that if the developers do it properly. I could imagine this game in 3D, it would be epic...
Quantact Wrote:I didn't say I think they will make it a crappy game. I am sure it will be great, and I will freely admit that. I am saying I am sick of Nexon's corporate bastardism and poor customer service. I'd rather play a fun game that's about wasting time, than a fun game that's about wasting money. People should not have to spend a lot of real money to FULLY enjoy a game; and I do not think anyone will seriously dispute that money is what Nexon's games are about. In defending Maple and Nexon people often argue that you don't "have" to spend money, and some get to like lvl 14x never having spent a dime. The truth is, though, Maple is MUCH MORE FUN with 2x cards, gachopon, double drop, store permits, safety charms, pets, NX clothes, teleport rocks, AP resets, etc. etc. etc. until you're broke.
I'll keep this short but let me just say that if you think Nexon is bad, you really should try some of the other Free MMO's out there. I used to think the same thing, but trust me, they are amazing compared to the alternatives. Yes people with money get a huge advantage, but you don't need to spend real money to catch up. I never spent a cent of real money and I bought all of my NX with Mesos through the MTS. I did all of the following with the MTS:
- Reset 86 AP.
- Bought Pet, Pet Loot, Meso Magnet, Item Pouch and Water of Life.
- Bought 2 or 3 complete NX Clothes Outfits to cover up my lukless character.
- Bought about 15 30 Day 2x EXP cards to get me from Lv.146 to Lv.186.
- Bought 3 or 4 months of 30 Day 2x Drop Cards to fund myself.
- Bought Megaphones, Hair Coupons and Various other Cosmetic Items.
So yes, it's a lot more work to enjoy the game if you don't pay real money, but at least it's still possible. Look at games such as Trickster. You can't get Cash Shop items in that game unless you spend real money. You could do an under the counter trade with other players for in game currency but you risk getting scammed and if the user chargebacks your account will get banned. Also the cash items in trickster give crazy stats. It'd be the equivalent of Nexon selling Zakum Helmets and Horntail Pendants in the Cash Shop. So count your blessings that it's at least possible to compete in this game without spending money.