Final first round battle in the MMORPG Showdown series. 

The Match-Up

The first round comes to a close with a very interesting battle that brings together two of the most popular, and often times hated, free MMORPGs. Despite both being leaders in the genre, these two games have picked up a fair share of players who love to hate them. In fact, this is the reason that neither game will likely crack the Review Directory's Top Ten Online Game List. The reasons for the wrath of some players for these games include poor graphics, community problems, and server performance. Maple Story looked like it would win in a landslide several times during the week and even on the last day of voting, but Runescape kept coming back. In the end, the hate for Runescape slightly surpassed the hate for Maple Story in the closest battle yet. To perfectly illustrate the intensity of this hate fest, 5.23 is the lowest score that a winner has received yet.

Tale of the Tape

Runescape

• Free to play.
• Made with Java.
• Very basic graphics.
• Offers a premium version.
• The leading download-only free MMORPG in terms of subscriber numbers.

Versus 

Maple Story

• Free to play.

• Resembles a console platform game.

• Four classes that each have their own themed city.

• Offers a cash shop for special items.

• Over 200 MB download.

Select Comments For Runescape (Edited for Presentation)

Rating: 10
Author: gamefreak103
Comment: The game may lack good graphics and fun combat, but the game can be fun if you know how to play and know how to beat hackers.

Rating: 8
Author: Heeya13
Comment: This game isn't that bad. Pretty much the only thing that is bad is the graphics and the combat system. Only stupid people get hacked.

Rating: 5
Author: gbwong
Comment: Lots of scammers and noobs that beg. Lots of different skills. PvP system is nice, but has bad graphics and only ok sound. Nice quests if you're a member. However, gets really boring after a few months if you're not a member.

Rating: 8
Author: mmomeister
Comment: Not near as good as WoW, but much better than MS imo. Despite dull graphics I have never had a dull time while playing it.

Select Comments for Maple Story (Edited for Presentation)

Rating: 0
Author: Heeya13
Comment: This game is the definition of terrible. The developers had a brilliant idea, but sent it through a meat grinder. With a terrible battle system, weird graphics, poor storyline, and idiotic people around every corner. Lets not forget that you have to pay money for idiotic stuff that you will never use. I can't say that this game is entirley bad though. It has given me a preview of what Hell is going to be like.

Rating: 2
Author: mmorpg addict
Comment: This game gets so boring later on so don't even start. You will play a while and then quit. BTW Maple Story fans, i gave Runescape a 0.

Rating: 8
Author: Mr. Peel
Comment: Has a charm that Runescape lacks. Also better graphics.

Rating: 9
Author: freshhh1994
Comment: ROFL, Runescape is going down!

The Voting

Runescape received a total score of 5

Maple Story received a total score of 5.23

The Result

Maple Story Wins!