This post was created as part of Nexon PEAK activities.

I think the appeal of a 2D side-scrolling online RPG lies in the fun of movement that makes use of the terrain right in front of you, and in the atmosphere of a world brought to life through pixel graphics.

​

In MapleStory, one moment you are concentrating just to clear a single platform, and the next you are sweeping through an entire hunting ground at speed. This time, I put together a few thoughts after trying Forest of Patience, hunting with Lete, and simply taking in the backgrounds.

The Fun of Taking on Forest of Patience

Hersha's location

Shane's location

You can enter Forest of Patience from Ellinia.

​

After heading to town, accept the Forest of Patience quest from Hersha in the upper-left area, then speak to Shane below.

Step	How to Proceed
1	Move to Ellinia
2	Accept the Forest of Patience quest from Hersha in the upper left
3	Talk to Shane below
4	Pay the entry fee and enter Forest of Patience

When I entered, the fee was 26,000 mesos. You can check the entry fee while talking to Shane.

Once inside, you cannot use mobility skills like Leap or Teleport, and have to move using only the basic jump. Your movement speed is also reduced to its default level, so it feels noticeably slower than usual.

​

The more familiar you are with your character's normal mobility, the more adjustment this takes. Distances you would usually cross without thinking become sections where you need to watch the edge of each platform and time your jump carefully.

Once you try it yourself, even the first few steps are not easy.

I remember laughing while watching a streamer play Forest of Patience on a broadcast before. After trying it myself, though, it definitely felt less like comedy and more like tragedy.

​

The goal is right in front of you, but actually getting your character there is not easy. Jump a little too early or a little too late, and the result changes completely, so the area really does live up to its name and demand patience.

​

Even so, if you enjoy a challenge, there is plenty of fun to find in the process. You learn the gaps between platforms, watch the movement of obstacles, and make gradual progress. That also means the sense of accomplishment after clearing a difficult section is all the greater.

​

In a 2D side-scrolling RPG, the character, platforms, and obstacles are all laid out on the same screen. You can immediately see what needs to be done, but actually doing it requires precise control. Forest of Patience is content that lets you experience that kind of gameplay directly.

The Fun of Clearing Hunting Grounds with Lete

After trying Forest of Patience, I was also reminded of my own preference. In the end, I still enjoy the style of hunting where you use high mobility to sweep through an entire map.

​

Thanks to the structure unique to side-scrollers, it is easy to see at a glance where monsters are grouped on the screen and which platforms they are still on. There is a real sense of satisfaction in chaining movement and attacks together and clearing them all out.

​

With the Lete I play, as long as the hunting ground is not too difficult, I can hunt comfortably by summoning Templar and Vargar and then repeatedly using the Impel skill.

​

It does not ask for much complicated thinking, which makes it easy to enjoy in a calm, almost absent-minded rhythm. It is the right routine for times when I want to rest without doing nothing at all. My hands move through a familiar sequence, the monsters disappear from the screen, and that makes the whole experience feel a little more relaxing.

Pixel Graphics That Stay Appealing Over Time

Valora and Snake Lake

It is also nice to pause hunting for a moment and look around at the scenery. When a small pixel character, charming little buildings, and the surrounding trees and props come together on one screen, it creates the feeling of peeking into a village from a storybook.

​

Pixel graphics convey the individuality of both characters and backgrounds clearly, even within a small screen. The characters' expressions and movements feel cute, and when the colors of the background change, the entire impression of the scene changes too, even with the same character standing there.

The deck of Argo Lake. It is also fun to hang from the hot-air balloon rope and the ladder.

MapleStory also does a good job of depicting darker, more serious backgrounds. Still, my personal preference is for the brighter, cuter side. Leaving my character standing in a warm, cozy landscape feels like taking a short break in itself.

​

These pixel graphics are still appealing even after all this time. It feels like this visual charm must be one of the reasons MapleStory has remained beloved over 23 years of service.

Closing Thoughts

If you enjoy the challenge of timing your jumps, Forest of Patience is worth trying. If you would rather clear out monsters smoothly with familiar controls, hunting may be the better fit. And if you also enjoy cute pixel characters and backgrounds, MapleStory has even more to offer.