Hello!

Mingling, the keyword for this post, means “connecting naturally with others through shared hobbies or interests in a relaxed, open atmosphere.” When I thought about what might fit that description in MapleStory, its BGM came to mind.

MapleStory’s BGM has earned consistent praise from the game’s earliest days to the present, and it is not uncommon to see players describe it as one aspect of the game that has never drawn much criticism throughout its long history. New town and boss tracks are still well received, but with the game having been around for so long, many players are especially fond of the music they heard as children, their memories made warmer by nostalgia.

When those players happen across familiar tracks on YouTube after leaving MapleStory, they often share their thoughts in the comments, each bringing their own memories to the conversation. For anyone who remembers those days, there is plenty to relate to, and that sense of recognition makes the comments a pleasure to read.

This is true of players overseas as well as those in Korea. The “SlipySlidy” channel regularly uploads MapleStory BGM and has a largely overseas audience, so its comment sections offer a glimpse of those players’ reactions. There is something interesting about seeing the same feelings shared by people from different countries.

For this post, I have gathered a few tracks closely associated with those memories, along with condensed versions of the comments that come up again and again. I have left out the more personal stories to focus on experiences that many players share.

Victoria Island / Orbis Ship Journey BGM

• I can still vividly picture the tombstones raining down from the sky after the Crimson Balrogs appeared.

• I thought my heart would stop when the music changed.

• I was hiding in the cabin when someone shouted, “The Crimson Balrogs are here!!” I went outside to look, but it was a trick.

• I remember the disappointment of thinking I would reach Orbis if I stayed on board after dying, only to end up back in Ellinia.

• Talking to strangers while waiting for the ship and during the journey was part of the fun.

• I remember settling into the cozy, safe cabin to play minigames.

• Back when I didn’t know any better, someone told me there was something interesting outside, so I went to look…

• I remember asking my parents not to count the ship journey as part of my gaming time.

• If you used potions while passing the cabin ladder, you wouldn’t go outside ㅋㅋ

• Looking at it now, the Crimson Balrog BGM runs for 4:44, so perhaps even its length was deliberate.

• Even now, the Crimson Balrog ship and its BGM are impressively frightening.

<Orbis> BGM

• Hearing this BGM as I stepped off the ship for the first time gave me that wonderful feeling of finally reaching a new world.

• I loved the feeling that I had left the land of Victoria Island behind and arrived in a world above the clouds.

• I remember running over when I heard the arriving ship sound its horn.

• I remember always losing to anyone using Teleport when we raced at the station.

• I liked the way snow started to accumulate from a certain floor onward in Orbis Tower.

• I remember seeing snow in the tower and thinking a Return Scroll would take me to El Nath, only to end up back in Orbis…

• I remember leveling up through EXP runs of the Orbis party quest.

Ludibrium Party Quest <Dimensional Crack> BGM

• I remember when simply clearing a party quest felt like an achievement in itself.

• I don’t think I will ever forget the code sequence 133 221 333 123 111.

• I remember the sense of accomplishment when all that rapid clicking finally got us in, the screen went dark, and this BGM began to play.

• Putting together a party with all the required classes was a hassle, but it was fun, too.

• When I remember this music, I hear the sounds of rats being hit and tickets being picked up alongside it.

• Please, don’t pick up the coins by the portals ㅠㅠ

• I wish I could go back to those weekend mornings spent doing party quests.

• I still feel bad when I remember getting reckless and dying to a King Block Golem…

• Getting the number combination right really was difficult.

• I remember someone taking the Red-Hearted Earrings and Skull Earrings from the bonus map and leaving.

• I was surprised to realize that those things on Alishar’s body were eyes.

Ludibrium <Forgotten Path of Time> BGM

• As a child, I found the scenery and atmosphere so frightening in contrast to the bright town of Ludibrium. The monsters there were powerful, too…

• The way the music’s mood changes completely as it shifts into a minor key really leaves an impression.

• It was frightening how the sense of mystery faded the farther down you went, giving way to an increasingly eerie atmosphere.

• I don’t know why that long ladder at the entrance to the Path of Time frightened me so much. It felt like going somewhere I wasn’t supposed to be.

• I remember it appearing as the final hunting area in MapleStory DS.

• The broken toys and demon-like monsters really frightened me as a child.

Each video has hundreds of comments offering all kinds of reflections, so the next time these memories come to mind, you might enjoy listening to the BGM while taking some time to read through them. Thank you for reading.