This post was created as part of Nexon PEAK activities.

Hello!

I’m Nexon Picker 피스타임.

What I like most about 2D side-scrolling online RPGs is their intuitive controls and pixel graphics that stay charming over time. Since movement is built around going left and right and jumping, they’re easy to pick up, and pixel-art characters and backgrounds keep their own distinct atmosphere no matter how long you look at them.

When talking about that appeal, I can’t leave out MapleStory, which I personally enjoy. Even in its 23rd anniversary year, it remains a popular game. Today, based on my own preferences and play experience, I’ve put together what makes 2D side-scrolling online RPGs so appealing.

Contents
1. Controls that are easy for beginners to get used to
2. Easy to learn, but still fun to master
3. Pixel graphics that stay appealing over time
4. The long-term appeal of being an online RPG

1. Controls that are easy for beginners to get used to

One of the biggest strengths of 2D side-scrolling games is that it’s easy to understand how your character is meant to move. In 3D games, you move forward, backward, left, and right while also judging distance and direction, and depending on the game, you may need to control the camera yourself as well. In a side-scroller, by contrast, you can move through the space on screen using only left-right movement and jumping.

In MapleStory, movement is also handled with the arrow keys, while jumping lets you move upward. Mobility skills do vary by class, but recent overall improvements to movement options have made awkward-feeling classes very rare.

This is the hotkey setup I actually use. It may look a little complicated because I’ve assigned a lot of functions, but the core actions are still built around the arrow keys, the C key (jump), and the X key (attack). From there, you learn additional skills one at a time depending on the situation.

Of course, being a side-scroller doesn’t mean the entire game is easy. Still, I think there’s a clear appeal in how approachable it feels when you’re first learning how to move your character.

2. Easy to learn, but still fun to master

Even if the basic movement system is simple, that doesn’t mean the gameplay built around it is simple too. In MapleStory, for example, the way you move while hunting is different from the way you move in boss fights. During boss battles, you need to look for attack opportunities, avoid patterns, and use the right skills for the situation.

Each boss has different patterns to dodge and different attack timings to learn, which makes figuring out each strategy enjoyable. And after putting in the practice, finally getting a clear feels especially satisfying.

That’s what I like about it: the fundamentals of movement are intuitive, but the more deeply you get into different classes and content, the more there is to master. Whether you want a relaxed session of monster hunting or a more focused boss run, the same game can offer different kinds of fun.

3. Pixel graphics that stay appealing over time

Another thing I really like is the pixel graphics. Not every 2D side-scrolling game uses pixel art, of course, but when I look back at the titles I enjoy most, a lot of them turn out to be pixel-art games.

Besides MapleStory, I also enjoy 2D Steam games like Skul, Terraria, and Starbound. Their genres and play styles are all different, but when I thought about it, they shared one thing in common: they all let you explore worlds presented through pixel art.

Pixel graphics have a special charm because they can convey expressions and movement through such small characters. Backgrounds also create atmosphere in a way that feels very different from realistic scenery. Maybe that’s why, when I look at games like these, I pay less attention to how realistic the graphics are and more to whether I like the art style and color palette.

MapleStory has been running for a long time as well, but to me, it feels less old than familiar and charming in its own pixel-art style. I still enjoy simply looking at the characters and backgrounds, so I’ve never felt that the graphics are lacking just because it’s an older game.

Of course, graphic preferences vary from person to person. Still, for players like me who enjoy pixel-art visuals, I think the fact that it remains a style you want to keep looking at over time is one reason these games stay enjoyable for so long.

4. The long-term appeal of being an online RPG

The intuitive movement and pixel-art charm I’ve talked about so far can also be found in single-player games. But when you add the characteristics of an online RPG, there’s also the appeal of being able to build and enjoy a character you like over a long period of time.

In MapleStory, you can keep developing your character while setting new goals, and you can broaden your play experience by trying other classes as well. Being able to see other players’ characters and outfits on the same screen also makes the pixel-art world feel even more colorful.

So, those are the reasons I like 2D side-scrolling online RPGs. There’s also a TINYPING collaboration going on right now, so you can even transform into a TINYPING-themed look like this. I found it interesting that this kind of style also works so well in pixel form.

If you enjoy 2D side-scrollers but haven’t tried MapleStory yet, I think it’s worth giving it a shot at least once. You’ll get to experience the appeal of an online RPG as well.