I Tried This New Free-To-Play Indie MMORPG That's Inspired By MapleStory And Was Pleasantly Surprised

The other day, I stumbled upon a new free-to-play 2D side-scrolling platformer indie MMORPG called Allmage (thanks, r/MMORPG). As soon as I saw the pixel graphics and read that the game is inspired by MapleStory, I knew I had to check it out. The game is still in testing and not on Steam yet, but you can download it directly from the official website.

Right away, what stood out to me was that, as the name implies, there is only one class: Mage. Everyone is Mage. That is the core concept. It sounds gimmicky at first, but after a few hours, it actually began to make sense. Everyone starts off with the same simple projectile spell, and progression involves unlocking and upgrading new magical abilities. It is an unusual premise, but it opens up room for specializations later on, which have not been implemented yet. I am assuming there will eventually be elemental paths such as fire and ice, and maybe even melee-based magic.

Character creation was surprisingly solid. There are a handful of hairstyles, outfits, and accessories to choose from, and I managed to make a pretty adorable little wizard before jumping in. Once inside, the game immediately gave off MapleStory vibes — small areas with goofy creatures, friendly NPCs, and cheerful background music looping endlessly in the distance. The presentation is genuinely fantastic and incredibly charming.

Gameplay, on the other hand, requires a bit more patience. Early combat is extremely slow. Monsters are tanky, spells hit softly, and there is no down-jump — which feels strange in a side-scroller. The pacing reminded me of early MapleStory when you spent more than a few minutes whittling down snails on Maple Island. It can feel rough at first, but once you unlock more skills and gear, the combat loop becomes smoother. I eventually unlocked the ability to dash in any direction after jumping, for example, and it completely changed how the game felt. Movement became fluid, exploration opened up, and fighting monsters became a lot more enjoyable.

What really surprised me, though, was how much content there already is. There are dozens of maps filled with quests and unique enemies. I love that monsters drop special cosmetics — like beanies designed after the mob itself — that you can wear, adding a incentive to keep grinding. There is also a Spirit system that works somewhat like MapleStory’s familiar mechanic. When you defeat an enemy, there is a chance it will drop an item that allows you to summon that monster as a pet. They look adorable and provide specific stat bonuses. It is another reason to keep hunting beyond experience or cosmetics.

Then there is the housing system, which is actually a standout feature. You can decorate your own little home with furniture and trophies you collect, then invite other players over to hang out. I held a mini house party by inviting a few strangers who were online at the time. It is a small touch, but it makes the world feel alive — and that is exactly what MMOs should strive for.

There are also jump quests, crafting, and dungeons. The jump quest was a highlight for me, offering a simple challenge that captured MapleStory nostalgia. The first dungeon, a dimly lit mine, required teamwork to defeat waves of enemies and a final boss that dropped crafting materials for stronger gear. It is a straightforward yet satisfying gameplay loop that will likely expand with future dungeons.

Do not get me wrong, though — Allmage is not perfect. The movement speed needs a serious buff; your character currently walks as if dragging a boulder, and the combat animations feel stiff. The early game, in particular, will turn some players away before they reach the more enjoyable parts. Monsters take too long to kill, potions are scarce, and the mana system forces you to stop and craft constantly. It is unfortunate because once you push past those first couple of hours, the game really begins to shine. The pacing picks up, the rewards feel meaningful, and the fun finally begins.

By the end of my session, I found myself genuinely enjoying it. The developers mentioned that more skills, classes, and polish are on the way. For example, they plan to let players choose which spells to unlock instead of being stuck with a random order, which was one of my biggest frustrations during testing.

Allmage still has a long way to go, but it already shows real promise. The presentation is beautiful, the housing system is genuinely charming, and the potential for future specializations is exciting. If the developer can smooth out the combat, speed up the pacing, and make the gameplay feel snappier, this could become a hidden gem for MapleStory fans. For now, it is a cozy, nostalgic world that is absolutely worth keeping an eye on.