Top 5 Best Side Scrolling MMORPGs
Like all other sub genres of the ‘Free MMO’ / ‘Free MMORPG’ industry, Side Scrolling MMORPG games have grown considerably over the last few years. Even though Side Scrolling games are still much more popular in places like Japan and South Korea – they’re beginning to ‘grow’ on North American gamers as well – as more and more side scrolling MMORPGs are being released here in the West. The top 5 Side Scrolling MMORPG games list below was compiled using review data from across the internet and from our own reviews here on MMOHut. If you’re looking for the best side scrolling MMORPG to play, you’ve arrived at the right place.
Top 5 Best Side Scrolling MMORPGs
Dragonica is a 3D side scrolling fantasy themed action MMORPG published by THQ Ice. This was a tough pick as Dragonica Online is still a relatively new game – so it doesn’t have nearly as much content as the more ‘established’ side scrolling MMORPGs, but anyone who has played the game can agree with me that it’s one of the best free to play games out there. The gameplay is fast paced and fun, it’s extremely well localized (Good translations), and it has an extremely fun and rewarding ‘instanced’ dungeons. If you haven’t played Dragonica Online yet, go download it right away – it’ll be worth it.
#2 MapleStory
MapleStory is a 2D fantasy themed side scrolling MMORPG published by Nexon and it was a very close ’second’. Even though MapleStory is one of the ‘oldest’ side scrolling MMORPGs out there – it’s still one of the best, as Nexon has a done a great job with the game in terms of keeping it fresh, as the game has enjoyed countless major content updates since release. It has without a doubt the most ‘content’ of any side scrolling MMORPG and arguably some of the most content of any free to play game – as there are many, many playable ‘classes’ and an enormous game world to explore. If you haven’t played MapleStory yet and don’t mind the ‘childish’ graphics – do check it out.
Dungeon Fighter Online, called DFO for short, is an incredibly unique 2D side scrolling action MMORPG by Nexon. The game both looks and plays a lot like old school arcade beat em’ ups like Double Dragon and Streets of Rage. The game has plenty of content, many playable classes and some extremely addictive gameplay. Anyone looking for a solid action MMORPG to play and isn’t too picky about graphics should certainly give DFO a try. Out of all the side scrolling MMORPGs out there – Dungeon Fighter Online is definitely the most ‘unique’, as the gameplay and graphics are both genuinely different than the competition.
#4 LaTale
LaTale is a 2D Side Scrolling MMORPG that looks and plays a lot like MapleStory – but with a slightly less ‘childish’ look. The game has plenty of unique ‘jobs’ as well as enough content to keep players entertained. One interesting feature that LaTale has that MapleStory doesn’t, is an interesting arena based PvP system. Anyone who has already played MapleStory and Dragonica Online and is looking for something similar yet ‘different’ enough to be fun should give LaTale a try.
#5 Wind Slayer
Wind Slayer is Outspark’s ‘take’ at the 2D side scrolling MMORPG market. The game both looks and plays a lot like LaTale except with only a few minor differences. Unlike Maplestory – Wind Slayer has a solid PvP system and an in depth crafting system. The game’s character customization options are also quite good compared to other side scrollers. Choose from one of the game’s six playable classes and explore the large game world of Wind Slayer. The game is certainly worth checking out but I recommend playing Dragonica Online or MapleStory first.
By, Jake Bismarck
Keep in mind, this top 5 Side Scrolling MMORPGs list was compiled in late 2009. If a new game comes out tomorrow, it won’t be included in this list. MMOHut will release an updated list later in 2010 if many new games are released.
January 28, 2010
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I like all games that u put , but i prefer more LaTale than MS and Dungeon and Fighters online . But all the game are amazing .
March 13, 2010
#1
I dissagree.
Windslayer goes off, Maple and Latale go down, And Grand Chase goes to #2 :3
May 18, 2010
#2
I see they’re still saying Maple Story is an “excellent” game, but to me and most people, it’s a grindfest that is dependant on the cash shop.
May 18, 2010
#3
Glazed, if you play the game now, it’s completely different. You can get to level 40 in a few days. The game has LOTS of quests now that make leveling very easy. Even at level 30ish, a single quest can give you upwards of 30%+ experience. The game used to be very grind oriented, but it’s not anymore, at least until level 45+.
June 20, 2010
#4
Well actually not, maplestory has many many party quests that help you level up to a great 100+.
The big problem about maplestory is that the commuity is bull sh**
June 24, 2010
#5
It’s true Maplestory is actually better than long time ago.There are new quests and classes.The new class that is coming out on July 14th is Dual Bladers.One of the quest in Maplestory gives a weapon more powerful than the regular,but it is only a rental.My point is Maplestory is now easier to level.My friend got most of his characters to lv.120+ in less about four days!Me,I can only get my character to lv.32 in a day.There’s also going to be a patch that Exp. to level will be reduced,but monster levels increase without increasing their experience points.For example,a lv.90 character only needs about 1.5 million exp.Right now a lv.75 needs about 2.3 million exp.
July 21, 2010
#6
i think that maplestory is the best 2d mmo but u do need to use cash shop and gachapon to get good items , and people without NX are usually broke all the time
August 1, 2010
#7
Wonderking should be 3…. ;P
August 12, 2010
#8
I have to say, I went back to try maple again today and I couldn’t even try. The whole thing where if you have a partner character, you can get up to +20 weapon attack(the highest level people only have a few hundred weapon attack max) so 20 is a TON, especially at level 1!!! Along, with the new class being completely OP and the community absolutely….. **** I’m looking for a game where cash items don’t affect the gameplay at all, just how a character looks. If anyone knows of a game like this (2d side scrolling mmorpg’s only please) Find me!!
August 20, 2010
#9
Maplestory’s communtity is full of idiots who think their better than you because they can press a button or two faster. All they do every single day is call new goers noobs.
August 20, 2010
#10
I cannot sign up for La Tale because even a random number generator cannot come up with a user I.D. that isn’t already taken. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
August 22, 2010
#11
Maple is tha best game evar but wind slayer still great
August 24, 2010
#12
I LOVE Maplestory, but I run on Windows 7… Any Help??
August 25, 2010
#13
MapleStory works fine for me on Windows 7. Just install it like you normally would.