14 Best Games Like MapleStory But For PC (Microsoft Windows)
If you love MapleStory for its colorful worlds, anime-style visuals, fast-paced combat, and satisfying progression, you’re in the right place. This list highlights the best games like MapleStory that capture its charm. Whether you enjoy side-scrolling action, grinding for loot, or social MMORPG adventures with friends.
Its unique combination of a 2D side-scrolling world and deep RPG mechanics is a formula that has been perfected in action-packed co-op brawlers as well.
Each of these titles offers its own twist on the MapleStory experience - from nostalgic old-school MMOs to modern anime-inspired worlds filled with quests, classes, and cooperative fun. Let’s explore them!
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14 Games Like MapleStory But For PC (Microsoft Windows)
1. Ragnarok Online
Ragnarok Online is often seen as the closest spiritual cousin to MapleStory. Both games share a charming anime aesthetic, deep class systems, and an addictive sense of progression.
It delivers that same mix of community-driven adventure and character customization that MapleStory fans love. Grinding monsters, collecting gear, and teaming up with friends feels just as rewarding, only from a classic isometric perspective.
2. NosTale
NosTale is another anime-inspired MMORPG that appeals strongly to MapleStory players. With its cute characters, side-scrolling combat, and focus on story-driven progression, it captures that same whimsical feel.
The pet system and specialist cards give players tons of customization, making it easy to lose hours experimenting with builds, just like in MapleStory’s vast class system.
3. Dragon Saga
Dragon Saga (formerly Dragonica) is a 2.5D side-scrolling action MMORPG that feels like a direct evolution of MapleStory’s gameplay. The controls are tight, the combos are flashy, and the classes are diverse.
It offers fast-paced combat, cute visuals, and tons of dungeons to explore solo or with friends! An excellent choice if you want something that feels like MapleStory but with a bit more action.
4. Elsword
Elsword brings anime-styled side-scrolling action to life with combo-heavy combat and dynamic characters. Like MapleStory, it combines vibrant visuals with platforming and RPG progression.
It’s perfect for fans who enjoy skill-based combat rather than pure grinding. Each character plays differently, giving tons of replay value and depth, much like exploring MapleStory’s different job paths.
5. La Tale
La Tale is one of the most direct MapleStory alternatives available. It shares the same 2D side-scrolling world, cute characters, and charming pixel art style.
Players can enjoy quests, crafting, and community events that make the world feel alive. If you loved the classic MapleStory vibe before its big revamps, La Tale will feel like coming home.
6. Grand Chase
GrandChase delivers fast-paced side-scrolling combat with anime visuals and co-op dungeon crawling. Its mix of story missions and action gameplay creates that same addictive loop of progression MapleStory is known for.
Although different in mechanics, it shares MapleStory’s cozy social charm and team-based excitement.
7. Dungeon Fighter Online
Dungeon Fighter Online (DFO) trades MapleStory’s cutesy look for a retro beat ’em up style, but the fast, combo-based gameplay is incredibly similar in spirit.
It’s a side-scrolling action RPG full of class variety, grinding, and dungeon runs, perfect for players who want MapleStory’s pace with a more arcade flavor.
8. Toram Online
Toram Online is a mobile-friendly MMORPG that captures MapleStory’s freedom in customization and anime-style charm. You can build any type of character you want, without being locked into rigid classes.
While it’s 3D rather than 2D, the sense of exploration, community, and grinding makes it a familiar experience for MapleStory fans.
9. Dragon Nest
Dragon Nest is a fast-paced action MMORPG with highly responsive combat and cinematic skills, making it one of the best picks for players who loved MapleStory’s more active fight feel.
While Dragon Nest uses 3D action combat instead of strict 2D platforming, it shares MapleStory’s class variety, co-op dungeons, and the addictive loop of mastering skills and gear. If you like high-skill gameplay and colorful anime-inspired characters, Dragon Nest will click.
The game’s focus on skill expression and party-based dungeon runs mirrors the social and mechanical thrills that make MapleStory so engaging.
10. Albion Online
Albion Online moves away from the anime aesthetic but keeps the player-driven economy and grinding appeal that MapleStory players enjoy.
It’s an open-world sandbox MMORPG focused on crafting, trading, and building your own destiny. Ideal if you love progression systems and earning your gear through effort.
11. Old School RuneScape
Old School RuneScape shares MapleStory’s grind-heavy progression and nostalgic community spirit. It’s more classic in visuals, but the endless goals and skill mastery will feel very familiar.
For players who enjoy slow, rewarding advancement and a world full of freedom, OSRS offers a similar long-term satisfaction.
12. Black Desert
Black Desert Online is visually stunning and mechanically deep, appealing to MapleStory players who love intense character customization and complex progression.
Though more realistic in style, it shares MapleStory’s addictive grinding and life skill systems, from fishing and crafting to massive PvP battles.
13. Neverwinter
Neverwinter offers a fantasy MMORPG experience with dungeon crawling, classes, and cooperative combat. While not anime-inspired, its sense of adventure and team-based gameplay will appeal to MapleStory fans who enjoy questing together.
It’s a solid choice if you want to branch out into a Western-style MMO while keeping that same spirit of exploration and teamwork.
14. Vindictus
Vindictus offers a more mature take on the MMORPG genre but still shares some of MapleStory’s DNA - both are made by Nexon. The combat is action-heavy and deeply satisfying.
If you’re looking for something that expands on MapleStory’s world with darker themes and real-time physics-based battles, Vindictus is a strong pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does anyone still play MapleStory?
Yes! MapleStory still maintains an active player base. The game continues to receive updates, seasonal events, and server activity that keep communities alive. While the size of the community depends on region and server, many long-term players and new arrivals still log in for events, updates, and social play.
What are the big 5 MMOs?
The “big 5” list can vary depending on who you ask, but commonly referenced large, influential MMOs include well-known titles across genres that shaped the market. The big 5 MMOs are: Guild Wars 2, World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls: Online, Final Fantasy XIV, and Black Desert Online. These are often cited because of their large playerbases, impact, and longevity.
Is MapleStory 2 still a thing?
No. MapleStory 2 was shut down regionally in several places and is no longer widely available. The original MapleStory continues independently, and many players returned to the classic title after MapleStory 2’s closure.
What type of game is MapleStory?
MapleStory is a free-to-play, side-scrolling MMORPG with strong anime-inspired visuals, a rich class/job system, social features, and a progression loop built around grinding, quests, and gear upgrades.
It emphasizes character progression, social interaction, and a large variety of classes and cosmetic customization options.
Are there free games like MapleStory?
Yes, many titles that capture MapleStory’s spirit are free-to-play or offer free-to-start models. Examples include anime-styled MMOs and side-scrolling action games, suchas Ragnarok Online and Dungeon Fighter Online, where you can play without an upfront purchase, though they may include optional microtransactions.
Can I play MapleStory on mobile?
MapleStory itself is primarily a PC MMO, but Nexon and other developers have released mobile titles inspired by MapleStory or within its franchise. If you want a mobile experience, look for mobile MMORPGs that emphasize side-scrolling action and anime visuals.
About the Author
Miguel (austernotus) is a game developer and pixel artist who believes the best recommendations come from understanding a game's core systems. With a background that spans from high-level MMO PVP (2100+ in WoW) to professional SEO, his analysis goes beyond the surface to find the games you'll actually love.