Face The Ultimate Challenge in MapleStory’s The Dark Ride Update

Exclusive Global MapleStory content Ride or Die Has Arrived alongside Aran and Shade Remaster, Hyper Burning, Tera Blink, Item Burning and More 

LOS ANGELES – November 22, 2024 – Nexon’s popular side-scrolling 2D MMORPG MapleStory has launched The Dark Ride, the first part of a two – part winter update. This update introduces Ride or Die, a Global MapleStory exclusive. 

Ride or Die 

Players assist Althea, an all-new character, and her secret task force of inspectors responsible for protecting the separation of alternate dimensions of Maple World. Equipped with the powerful Mapae tool, the team traverses these dimensions and harness Mapae’s power to remain in them for a limited amount of time to carry out their mission.

Althea ventures deep underground into a Maple World that has long been free of the Black Mage. There, she encounters Kazax who has been resurrected and is controlling six MapleStory bosses – Vellum, Horntail, Papulatus, Darknell, Zakum, and Guardian Angel Slime – and it is up to players to defeat these formidable foes and stop Kazak’s nefarious scheme. In addition, players can earn a variety of rewards when they defeat these foes. 

Players at level 200+ can participate in a 12-week boss rush event. Each week, they can choose from three difficulty levels and select the number of additional challenges to undertake for extra bonuses as they face one of the six randomly chosen bosses and up to 20 different challenges. Points earned from defeating bosses and remaining death counts contribute to their weekly scores, with higher difficulties providing better rewards. 

Aran and Shade Return with New Skills 

Aran the Polearm Master and Shade the Forgotten Hero have both been remastered, bringing players new skills, animations, abilities and voiceovers. Newly created Aran and Shade characters can obtain gear upgrades, experience and power boosts, and level up support, while existing Aran and Shade characters can receive special event outfits and chairs through the “Blossoming by Moonshade” event. 

In addition to one Hyper Burning character in The Dark Ride update, players can also choose to Hyper Burn either Aran or Shade, enabling quick gameplay immersion and access to their remastered skills. This event supports rapid leveling and engagement with these newly revamped characters, enriching the overall game experience during the event period​. 

Prepare for the Return of Hyper Burning and Tera Blink and the All-New Item Burning 

Happening now through February 11, 2025, Hyper Burning makes its return, allowing a character to gain two bonus levels each time they level up until they reach level 260. Tera Blink is also back to teach players the basics of MapleStory for their Hyper Burning character, providing them with plenty of EXP to help them reach level 200 in the blink of an eye. Additionally, with the new Item Burning event, the stats of a Hyper Burning character’s equipment will level up as players complete boss challenges after reaching level 200, giving new and returning players an easy way to undertake bossing. 

Earn a Wealth of Rewards during the Page of Memories Event 

Themed around the Librarian and memories of Maple World’s past, the Page of Memories event runs through January 14, offering players access to untold stories of the Black Mage’s Commanders. Players can encounter a variety of scenarios and earn a wealth of rewards, including daily and weekly attendance bonuses, stat buffs throughout the event, and coin and meso shops stocked with growth and cosmetic items. 

Enjoy Various Quality-of-Life Improvements 

The Dark Ride brings MapleStory players various quality-of-life improvements and rebalanced skills for classes. Details are available here.  

The Dark Ride Continues 

December 17, 2024 

The next part of The Dark Ride goes live on December 17, featuring the exclusive event Dark Maplemas, that offers players four events and two minigames. High-level players can expect to challenge new boss Limbo in a previously unseen dynamic boss battle. In addition, Hexa Stat II will be available and players can continue on their journey of strengthening their characters. 

January 15, 2025 

Kicking off the new year, MapleStory players can participate in the New Name Auction where they can sell and bid for sought after in-game names (IGNs). They can also tackle the epic dungeon Angler Company, explore the event Extradimensional Visitors, and experience Champion Burning, where as a lead character levels up, two champion characters level up alongside them. 

About MapleStory 

MapleStory is a beloved, 2D side-scrolling online MMORPG known for its distinctive gameplay and unique art style. This iconic game’s popularity has fueled its expansion to the far corners of the globe with several services of MapleStory available to players around the world. In 2005, the Global version of MapleStory launched and has continued to grow and evolve alongside its passionate community of millions of fans.

About Nexon America Inc. 

Founded in 2005, Nexon America Inc. delivers outstanding popular, online game expertise and live game support, taking the strengths of NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) and applying them to uniquely Western audiences. For decades, Nexon America has consistently sustained iconic franchises such as MapleStory, a beloved, 2D side-scrolling online MMORPG known for its distinctive gameplay and unique art style and Mabinogi, the world’s most expressive MMORPG, where you create a unique character and live your fantasy life. Both games have gone on to break records and captivate players. With exciting projects on the horizon, Nexon America maintains the pioneering and innovative spirit of its parent company, employing its player-first approach, while designing the best possible gameplay experiences for the Western market.