MapleStory Classic World vs. Old MapleStory: A Nostalgic Return or a Fresh Start?

MSCW is now officially launched. Players who didn't purchase Founder's Package for Early Access may be hesitant, believing that even with a redesign,it won't be significantly different from the original. But is that really the case? I'll show you the similarities and differences between MSCW and Old MapleStory from several perspectives.

What's Retained?

I'll compare confirmed data with currently available gameplay content.

As a redesign, its core foundation undoubtedly remains the classic gameplay of Old MapleStory.

The unchanged aspects are what players wanting the authentic Old MapleStory experience are most interested in. Much of the content after launch is similar to previous test versions; the following are the game modes that have been retained.

Map and Towns

MSCW retains Maple Island, the starting and learning location from Old MapleStory, while Victoria Island, the core continent for later adventures and leveling, will also appear.

Familiar names like Henesys, Ellinia, Perion, Kerning City, Sleepywood, and Lith Harbor appear on the map, and players can still travel to different areas via portals, on foot, and by vehicle.

Character Progression System

As a classic MMORPG, MSCW follows the original game mode and leveling path. Players need to choose suitable maps and leveling routes, selecting a method that suits them to gain experience points and MapleStory Classic World Mesos.

Classes

The class system, which has garnered much attention, appears to be consistent with Old MapleStory at the game's initial launch. The four basic classes—Warrior, Magician, Bowman, and Thief—remain unchanged, with the same skill point allocation, class advancement, and progression paths.

Trading Model

The free market was a key element in Old MapleStory, highly sought after by players and contributing significantly to the game's activity. In MSCW, every player can similarly create value and utilize their trading strategies within the free market.

What Content Has Been Updated and Expanded?

The most notable updates are the numerous game systems and increased progression paths. Clearly, the developers haven't been constrained by any specific historical version's design, but rather have developed MSCW with a completely new economic system, combat mechanics, and character progression system.

Game Cap and Class Paths

In the second closed beta test, players were able to experience the third class advancement system, but this feature was not released simultaneously with the official launch. This is entirely new class content not present in Old MapleStory. Based on available information, this system will need to undergo further evaluation and testing by the company before it is officially added to the game.

Additionally, one change that players noticed early on is the level requirement for the first advancement of the Magician. In Old MapleStory, the Magician differs from other classes, requiring only level 8 for the first class advancement, while other initial classes typically require level 10. In the official version of MSCW, all four initial job branches require a minimum level of 10 for their first promotion, making promotion requirements more uniform across jobs.

Attribute Point Allocation

In Old MapleStory, players often had to repeatedly reset their initial attribute points to achieve the ideal allocation, which was very time-consuming. MSCW replaces this mechanism with a system that allows players to directly allocate initial attribute points. This adjustment simplifies the character creation process while giving players greater control over their initial character's development.

Social and Economic Systems

• MSCW introduces several new features that expand upon the progression and social experience of Old MapleStory.
• The crafting system unlocks at level 10, allowing players to craft items using collected materials.
• The town citizen system unlocks at level 12, granting citizens access to special items and various discounts.
• Additionally, a housing system is introduced, allowing players to acquire housing in Henesys and Kerning City upon game launch. The October 22nd update also added a debt system, designed to limit players' improper acquisition of in-game items and resources.

Bosses

The MSCW wiki currently lists six bosses, such as Mano, King Slime, and Mushmom, whom players will need to defeat later in the game.

Zakum, a major mid-to-late game boss from Old MapleStory, is deeply etched in the memories of veteran players; the battles with Zakum seem still vivid. However, he doesn't appear in MSCW, which remains to be seen in future updates.

This update to MSCW reveals something we all want to know: what would Old MapleStory be like today if it had opted for stable development instead of radical updates?

MSCW is more like a reconstruction and expansion of Old MapleStory, using it as its core framework. If you were attracted by its teamwork and leveling-up gameplay, it still includes those elements. If you're looking for the exact same skill values, job change rules, map unlocking order, and economic mechanisms as the original, then it's now confirmed that it's not entirely identical. However, many updates and optimizations in MSCW indicate that it can satisfy most players who crave nostalgia but also want to try new content. So, players who haven't tried it yet can definitely play it on their own. MSCW is definitely not just a simple remake.