I am currently [participating in the Nexon PEAK Post Challenge].

It may vary from game to game, but in most cases we look at the screen from something like a third-person point of view. In StarCraft, I tend to read the space starting with the minimap, while in growth-focused RPGs like Mabinogi, World of Warcraft, and MapleStory, I spend most of my time looking at the back of my character’s head or their side profile. Sometimes, as in Minecraft, the screen shows exactly what the character sees, but more often than not my character is moving right in front of me.



Because of that, the thing I see most while playing is my character’s movement. A game’s appeal can change considerably depending on how that motion is expressed. Personally, I like combat animations with a restrained kind of flair, while for walking and running I prefer something natural. And when interacting with other users, having a wider range of gestures and actions often leads to more enjoyable exchanges. One reason I still remember Mabinogi Online as feeling more romantic may be that simple motion of everyone gathering and sitting together around a campfire.

In that sense, today I want to talk about why the character motion in Mabinogi Mobile, which I have been playing so actively lately, feels so appealing to me, and why it stands out as the best.







First, because I love watching a character styled entirely to my taste run

A character styled exactly to my liking, with a solid build, a white shirt, and black jeans or black slacks, is satisfying to look at even on its own. But when that same character walks and runs naturally, that satisfaction only grows. How can my favorite little character look this good even while running? I like the side view, and the front view too. Ho ho.

Second, when I get to interact with people through unexpected motions

In Mabinogi Mobile Season 2, if you go to Crafting - Items - Miscellaneous, you can make a bear transformation doll. If you use that doll to transform, bears nearby can attack one another, and because nearby users can also be knocked away like this, it turns into a surprisingly playful little pastime. Moments like these, when an unexpected motion appears, make the game feel even more charming.

Third, because doing the same motion together, as in a group dance, can be fun all by itself

One day, while passing through Emain Macha, I saw a group of beautiful fairies dancing. The way they matched their motions exactly and moved in clean unison looked so lovely, and so enjoyable, that I could not resist. I joined in from behind, followed the same steps, and then quietly took a picture to keep as a memory of my own. There is a distinct kind of pleasure in seeing users wear matching outfits, bring along matching cats, and perform the same dance together.

Fourth, because you can perform motions with a friend, and even the facial expressions are cute

Mabinogi Mobile also has dedicated two-person motions. There is certainly fun in taking motions that are usually done alone and doing them as a group, but there are also motions that only work through interaction between two people. That, too, is part of what makes Mabinogi Mobile’s motion system so appealing.

Fifth and last, the wide range of emotions you can express with a simple touch

When running Abyss Dungeons or raids, there are times when it is hard to type in chat for communication. In those moments, you can quickly express yourself with a simple touch. You can choose anything from a smile to a laughing face, a happy expression, or a worried one. On top of that, the expressions you use most often can be added to favorites, which makes them even more convenient to use.

Up to this point, I have introduced Mabinogi Mobile as a game whose character motion and movement left a strong impression on me. I find myself wondering how it looks to those of you reading this. I think small details gather into something meaningful and become part of a game’s charm. I hope even more kinds of fun are added in the future. And with that, I hope everyone reading this today has a happy day,