Hello.

This time, the keyword is real life, and I will be exploring the realistic elements found in games.

Since MapleStory is set in a fantasy world, most of its towns and other elements are far removed from reality, but the familiar Kerning City blends realistic details into its setting quite naturally, which is something I personally like about it.

In particular, there is something quietly fascinating about imagining people going about their everyday lives in the apartments and high-rise buildings visible in the background.

FriendStory, however, takes this further than Kerning City, drawing more extensively on the real world for its setting.

FriendStory, a setting based entirely on the real world

FriendStory first appeared back in 2014, with a setting based entirely on the real world as its defining feature. It exists separately from Maple World, which is why you will see it referred to as another world.

FriendStory has little connection to levels or character stats and sits in the story section of the Maple Guide, so after its role in the 2015 release of the Seoul-born Kinesis, it carried on quietly without attracting much attention. Last year's Kinesis remaster brought it renewed attention, as has its use in the event maps for the Lotte World collaboration during this 23rd anniversary event.

You can reach it through the Maple Guide or the house in Henesys where a wardrobe landed, and once you cross into the other world, you will find a variety of scenery and props drawn from everyday life. It is a charming setting, with plenty of carefully arranged details.

Police station

Pedestrian overpass and bus

Café

School uniform shop and ice cream shop

Grandma's food stall

Abandoned building

School

Bus stop and places you can reach by bus

Even quest-related conversations take place through a smartphone.

Main story and chapter completion rewards

You progress through FriendStory by following each chapter's main story. As this is a parallel world to Maple World, the cast's appearances and personalities are based on characters from Maple World, and given how long ago it was released, it includes elements that were popular at the time. Its presentation and other aspects have drawn mixed reactions, but the care that went into it is evident throughout, so I think those who like these characters will find it quite a satisfying experience.

Each chapter reportedly takes around 20–30 minutes if you skip the story, though it is natural to wonder why anyone would play story content only to skip it. The reason is that repeated completions offer rewards and achievements, prompting some players to record how long a run takes when skipping the story.

There are 6 chapters in total, excluding the prologue, with descriptions and rewards listed below.

Magnus and Hilla, who appear in this episode, were featured in this 23rd anniversary event.

A badge system like this apparently exists, though, unsurprisingly, it is no longer used.

When you complete this chapter, the character you choose to call determines which of the medal-and-chair reward pairs below you receive. These medals likewise offer no meaningful stat benefits, but you can still wear them for their appearance.

School uniforms available for purchase with Silver Needles

In addition to the chapter completion rewards above, you can earn Silver Needles by clearing the dungeon that becomes available after completing the chapters. These can be spent at the school uniform shop shown earlier, with the available looks shown below.

It is worth noting that these are not cash items; what you receive is an appearance-changing coupon that lets you apply the look to an overall using a Fusion Anvil. Since bossing and hunting currently require separate tops and bottoms rather than an overall, these uniforms seem difficult to wear in combat.

• Plain School Uniform / Fresh School Uniform / Stylish School Uniform / Natural School Uniform / Modest School Uniform

• Real Men Wear Pink&Pink for Girls School Uniform / Free-Spirited Youth School Uniform / Always Cheerful School Uniform

• Excitement-Filled Luxury School Uniform / Confidence-Filled Luxury School Uniform / Sentiment-Filled Luxury School Uniform

• Fluttering Petals Premium School Uniform

Thank you for reading.