13 Games Like MapleStory
Our collection of games like MapleStory offers the best MMORPGs for fans of the 2D side scrolling sub-genre that you can play right now.
With constant updates MapleStory has changed dramatically since its first inception in Korea (2003). From Big Bang in 2010 to Reboot in 2015 these regular updates have added new areas, quests, items, classes and much more which has contributed to the games long term success and the eventual sequel, MapleStory 2 which was shut down in 2020. MapleStory attracts a largely casual but dedicated audience with its simple, enjoyable and free gameplay.
MapleStory is set in a 2D side scrolling game world (while MapleStory 2 introduced 3D elements) with players choosing from dozens of job classes for their MMO adventure ahead. Each of these have variety in their designs and core gameplay with a number of game mechanics in MapleStory that encourage players to experience multiple job classes. Other MMORPG elements of MapleStory include quests, further job advancements, professions, crafting, trading and a number of social aspects.
The games like MapleStory (and games like MapleStory 2) found here all have a great massively multiplayer online role playing experience just waiting to be explored. This list focuses on providing 2D based MMO experiences or simple 3D adventures which means you’ll find that many of these games have low system requirements making them highly accessible.
StarBreak
StarBreak offers a unique 2D MMO experience by leveraging platforming mechanics and wrapping in into a science fiction universe with roguelike challenges. The result is a title that has MapleStory like elements while also having Metroidvania vibes and all the MMO staples of community, loot, quests and dungeons.In a universe where humans have been wiped out by the deadly Watcher you’ll be revived as a spark to seek revenge thanks to the powerful human developed AI prior to the extinction ev...[Read Review]
Elsword Online
Elsword Online offers a skill based free to play action packed MMORPG experience with 2.5D side scrolling mechanics at the core of the experience and comic book undertones. Like many MMOs Elsword first launched in Korea in 2007 and eventually landing to North American shores in 2011. Gameplay in Elsword centres around beat ’em up style mechanic within a MMO framework that emphasises co-operative play. With this beat ’em focus you are guaranteed a fast paced adventure as you move acro...[Read Review]
Spiral Knights
Spiral Knights is a co-operative game that draws inspiration from the likes of Zelda while also offering a MMO inspired experience focused on co-operative play. While Spiral Knights was originally available to play in your browser this has been retired given its reliance on Java limiting the game to the downloadable client through the official website or Steam. In Spiral Knights players control their own knight which belongs to the Spiral Knight Order as they explore the planet Cradle and its va...[Read Review]
LaTale
LaTale draws heavily from other 2D side scrolling titans of the genre such as MapleStory to deliver a strong fantasy MMORPG world that lives on over a decade after original release. LaTale was developed by Actoz Soft originally launching in South Korea in 2006 and saw an official release in North America in 2008 which places it several years after the game it clearly drew inspiration from. Core gameplay in LaTale is similar to other MMORPGs of the era with a focus on a large game world of explor...[Read Review]
NosTale
NosTale (The Tale of Nomads of Silver Spirit) is one of the many free to play MMORPGs that has lived on for over a decade thanks to a dedicated community and it’s simple fundamentals that continue to be built upon as each year passes. Like many these foundations started in Korea in 2006 with later releases across other languages and servers to bring it to a worldwide audience. As is typical for the genre players start out as an average adventurer with your task in NosTale to prevent the re...[Read Review]
Tree of Savior
The long awaited MMO title known as Tree of Savior is finally upon us, with its cute and charming art style it aims to recreate the feeling of Ragnarok Online and other older MMORPGs like it. At the same time it looks to incorporate elements from the action RPG genre with its top down view and combat being reminiscent of the genre. Your journey will take you across a landscape of beautiful graphics as you embark on a search for the goddesses of the world which finds itself in chaos at present du...[Read Review]
Mabinogi
Mabinogi allows you to create your own anime life in an experience that is simply overflowing with content, features and options while revolving around social elements. For those MMO players that crave customisation, anime styling and large scale friendship groups Mabinogi has proven to consistently deliver this experience since its original launch in 2008. Centred around the growth of character through the game world of Erinn the core Mabinogi experience revolves around questing, community enga...[Read Review]
Soul Saver Online
Soul Saver Online (previously published under the title Ghost Soul Online or simply Ghost Online) falls in the 2D side scrolling MMORPG genre with a similar aesthetic design to the popular MapleStory. Having been online since 2012 Soul Saver Online has gone through a number of revamps during that time which have left it with a vast content library for players to explore while maintaining a focus on diverse PvP for fans of fighting against other players. In terms of lore Soul Saver Online is set ...[Read Review]
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Imagine an offline version of MapleStory, and you’ve got Dust: An Elysian Tail that employs 2D side scrolling mechanics and crisp action role playing to tell the story of Dust. As a warrior without memories who awakes to the darkness of a strange forest Dust begins an adventure to recover his past. Joining you on this journey to discover your origin is the sentient mythical Blade of Ahrah and its guardian, a Nimbat (similar to a fairy creature) named Fidget. Your journey starts at the town of Au...[Read Review]
Dragon Saga
Dragon Saga (originally known outside North America as Dragonica Online) brings a side scrolling experience to the MMO genre with an original release throughout 2009 and 2010. While it’s a side scrolling MMO Dragon Saga shy’s away from the standard 2D graphics and makes the leap to 3D side scrolling MMO instead. Dragon Saga takes place in a universe where magic flows strong with dragons roaming the landscape and skies above human civilisation. With the Dragon War of decades gone now ...[Read Review]
The World of Magic
The World of Magic brings MMO fundamentals to the mobile arena with an iOS and Android title that is packed full of locations, quests and large scale battles. With millions of app installs and still a healthy community despite the 2010 original launch date The World of Magic offers a basic but addicting 2D MMO adventure. In an era where countless mobile games get released everyday few have been able to last long in the multiplayer realm, especially the MMORPG genre. The World of Magic though has...[Read Review]
Ragnarok Online
In terms of classic MMO games the experience offered by Ragnarok Online ranks high amongst fans of the genre with a dedicated cult like following behind the game in a similar way to MapleStory or RuneScape and creates similar nostalgic memories for those that played the game on release in 2003. Like the other MMOs mentioned above who went through their own respective overhauls to keep their games alive Ragnarok Online experienced a 2010 overhaul known as Renewal which brought with it a massive r...[Read Review]
Flyff
Flyff (Fly For Fun) is one of the longest running fantasy based MMOs on the market with an original launch date in 2005 which gives it over a decade of content waiting to be explored by new or returning players. As the name suggests a unique selling point of the game is the flying system that makes flying your key transportation method to make the large game world accessible for your exploration. Flyff is a charming experience and given the length of time that the game has been online there is a...[Read Review]