We all have our down days and to the point where something happened that we just want to quit the game we’re playing, or simply because we get bored of it. The endless grinding, the almost-meaningless reason to be one level higher, etc. Here are some tips to help you get back on your feet and find the joy you once had when playing the game. In this case – Maple Story.

Cover the EXP Bar

The #1 reason why people get bored of a game quickly isn’t because there isn’t anything new, but it’s because they see the reality of where they really are. You look that you’re at 6%, spend 3 hours playing the game and end up with 10%. That hits a person’s enthusiasm hard. Solution? Open up your “Skills” window and drag it over your EXP bar. Your “Skills” window is the least used anyways, so why not put it to some good use? Just open it up, drag it over the bar and let it rest there. What you don’t know won’t hurt you.

Music

It’s obvious, but if it hasn’t occurred to you yet, your own music is the best music. If you haven’t gone completely insane from the Maple Story music yet, then good for you, but to make the game just a bit more entertaining, open up your playlist and just listen to what you like. It’s not much, but it’s better than hearing something you get annoyed or bored of. It doesn’t have to be grinding music, just whatever you like. Whether you like Classical, Country, Rap, Rock, etc, it’s YOUR choice. Wouldn’t it be awesome to own Yeti’s with Mozart’s music in the background?

Party

It’s been said before, but it’s good to say it again – PARTY and HOPE. Why hope? Hope you get a good, friendly party that actually talks, that has conversations about stuff that you’re interested in. While this is extremely rare in Maple Story, it’s not impossible. You get to meet new people, maybe find a few good friends and possibly a boyfriend/girlfriend.

Get a Girlfriend/Boyfriend

Yes, I know, most people would be laughing at the people who do have a boyfriend or girlfriend in Maple Story. But what’s wrong with it? It’s their game, their life and you really have no right to judge what they like/dislike. So what if it’s puppy love? Let them be. If they’re together in real life, well even better. It helps to have some special there to play with and chat and make the game funner than just mindless grinding.
Credits to aznm0nk3yx – If a breakup happens, then fire yourself up to beat your ex’s level and rub it in their face. Mean, yes, but if you really need the motivation.

Get Friends

So maybe online dating seriously isn’t for you, but get friends non-the-less. It’s always funner to have a group of people with you playing than you being alone. You’ll notice the difference of a day of grinding alone as opposed to an entire party of friends together. Usually, the easiest way of making friends is partying or maybe even around here, in Basil Market.

Guilds

Same situation as a party – hope. Hope that you get a good guild that talks, that isn’t just together for a name under your own name and a little picture. Having a boring and useless guild is the same as having no guild at all, so if you really don’t like or find no difference in the guild you’re in, then quit it and let yourself stay open for another outgoing guild.

Guild Events

If you’re already in a guild, then arrange some events. Get the guild together to meet up at some place, hang around, bring food and take screenshots and do some quests together. Jump quests can fit many people and all at once. Have some competition and have some fun with the guild you’re in. Maybe have the leader hold rewards for whoever finishes the jump quest first, etc. The activities are limitless and definitely not confined to simply killing more things.

Competition

There’s no reason to play if there’s no goal. Set some small ones first. Obviously setting a goal like “I’m going to be level 200!” is just way too high, at any level under level 190. Maybe have a bet with your friend and say something like, “Whoever reaches level 30 first has to buy a red whip for the other!” Make some bets, have a race and just take it slow. The biggest goal of all is only accomplished through small achievements.

Future Equipment

Basil Market’s a great place to buy equipment, so why not indulge in just a bit and get your future equipment before reaching that level? You can keep it in your inventory and look at it. Imagine how smexy you’d look in that new armor, or holding that new sword. Before you know it, you’ll be showing it off on your character. Even so, you can find some pretty good, better-than-average equipment easily all around, in FM and Basil Market, so why not spend a little time searching and just looking around. Similar to setting goals, keep your equipment in your reach. Meaning, don’t buy equipment that’s 20 levels above. Your next equipment stage should be the equipment that you buy.

New Monsters

When you’re staring at the same, ugly face you’re fighting for hours and hours, and even more hours when you start up the game again, you’re going to get bored. Check out Hidden Street or other Maple Story guides for some monsters that are around what you’re looking for. Maybe there’s a monster with less HP, and more EXP than the one you’re hunting, or the other one could potentially give you more money or maybe an item you want. There are over 200 monsters in Maple Story, and around every level, there are always more than 5 monsters that people can kill. You don’t have to limit yourself to one.

Meso Hunting

Instead of hunting for EXP, hunt for money. Look at Hidden Street, check out the monsters around your range and look at the money they drop. Set your goal as being rich before being high level.

Item Hunting

Instead of hunting for EXP or Money, hunt for items. There are so many monsters out there who drop good scrolls, why not search up which ones drop the scroll that sells high and concentrate on that? Maybe you don’t want to buy your equipment? Hunt for them! The chances are slim, but of course not impossible, and there’s always the lucky drop once in a while.

Exploration

Similar to how staring at the same monster can get boring, staring at the same scenery can get boring too. Take a little break and stroll around some places you haven’t been for a long time! Victoria Island, Orbis, or maybe that new town that just came out. Check out the monsters roaming around and just take a relaxing vacation, for your character and for your eyes.

Boss Hunting

Tired of killing the millions of minions? Get the the big boss! Try your luck and strength at a boss around your level and see if you can face it yet. If you win, you’d feel great and if you lose, no worries, just get pumped up to get stronger and get your revenge. And most likely, bosses comes with rewards.

Bigger Monster Hunting

There may not be a boss right for you, or it’s always way too crowded, so why not fight monsters that feel like a boss? Ones that are a few more levels higher than you and possible much bigger than your character. Try your luck and do some actual, more than one hit fighting/jumping. If you win, you know you’re up for the challenge and can continue, if you lose, plan your revenge on monster!

Events

While they don’t happen often, they do once in a while. Join some events that are held on the main site of the Maple Story you’re playing, see a GM, take some screenshots and fight for the rewards that await.

Take a Break

Yes, this will have you facing away from the game for a while, but it’s better than continuous staring. Move your character to a safe place and let them sit and rest (save pots!) and minimize Maple Story for a bit. Catch up on some homework, go have a snack, play some other mini game for a while, and when you maximize your MS, your character will have full health and mana and ready for battle.

Collectibles

This is only if you, for some reason, have way too much money. You can try collecting the special items that very few people have! Items like a pico-pico hammer, or a Sake Bottle or maybe a Frozen Tuna. Have a little collection so you can be proud that you have something to show off, other than your level.

Start a New Character

No, don’t delete your old one. You have to face the fact that, even though your character does good damage, is pretty well off and all, it gets boring using the SAME skill, staring at the same character with the SAME equipment and doing the same moves. Start a new one! Try out another job that you might be interested in, read up on the facts and etc. Don’t let “the most powerful” or whatever get to your head, get what you think is fun. It’s your opinion and choices that make the game fun for you. Switch back and forth between the characters. You’d be thankful you can hit over 20 damage and feel refreshed from doing other skills. Maybe you’ll have 2 mains if you love your other character that much.

Check Out the Future Skills

Look at the jobs, the future jobs, all the jobs! Check out their skills and how awesome it is to cast them, how much power there is within your character. Aim for that skill, to complete it so you are ready for some intense damage.

Watch Videos

Basil Market and YouTube has countless videos about Maple Story, from dramas made in Maple Story to high levels showing off their stuff. Check out the videos of your job and look at how much they OWN the high level monsters. Look at their skills, their equipment, the monsters they can kill and think about, when you reach a high level, of making a video of your own.

Stalk People on Rankings

Well, I have to say this is pretty sad, but there are people who do it. While I don’t see the greatest point in this, it still works. Look at the character that’s above you, or maybe even the highest level character in all of Maple Story, or the highest level character of your job. Make a secret battle with the person above you and make sure you pass them. Plan to be the highest level of your job. Whatever you want.

Visit High Levels

If you’re a crazy fan of whoever is high level and happen to be bored or a really huge fan, then go find them. Track where they are, try traveling there and just say Hi or something. It’d be strange, but whatever floats your boat. See your idol in action and be amazed at what they’re fighting. It isn’t guaranteed that your idol is nice, but you could give it a shot.

Read Some Guides!

Basil Market and other Maple Story related sites have countless guides, from money-making, inspirational guides =P, and of course, those that help make your character stronger. Read up on some, look at your own character and make them the best of the best!

Read Up on the Latest Patch Gossip

Some, or most, people get hyped up about patches and I don’t blame them. New things! Yay! Keep expecting the game to be updating with new things, from big to small and just expect some new things to explore. Do NOT expect a lot from patches and don’t start complaining that it got extended for a few hours, and that when you actually get on you get d/c-ed. It’s a patch, it’s an update, and this happens. Enjoy what you get, and what you have.

Get Some Cash Shop Items! (Thank you darklord2525)

The reason for having cash shop isn’t simply to for Wizet/Nexon to earn some extra pocket change on the side, but for you players to enhance your game! Buy some things no one else has, get some items that help improve your exp-rate, get a little companion, and so much more! Please watch your limit/budget and don’t over spend. This is, after all, a game, and unless you have an actual job yourself to get your own money (this means not working for your mom or dad) you should watch how much you spend. If you’re earning your own money, SPEND AWAY!

In-Game Minigames! (Thank you bombinator)

Collector of Omok and Match Cards? Try finding another Mapler who wants a little in-game challenge aside from killing things. Match your wits and skills in omok and match cards! Experience the times when Maple Story doesn’t revolve around killing things and jumping around.

Back To The Past! (Thank you DefReaver)

Now, there’s DefReaver’s version and my version because I just remembered something from the past =P Anyways, DefReaver suggests switching up some weapons and use some skills that you don’t normally use, just mess around.
From previous guides that I had to retype, the suggestion is to spend a few 1k on a full set of newbie equipment. Get some old-school equipment and remember back then when you were just starting out as a level 10. Go back and get your revenge on those one-eyed-stumps that used to run you over and just have fun being how it used to be, before you go back to facing something that’s 5 times bigger than you. Take a break from the big leagues and just go back to some relaxing times.