MU Online, also known as "ミューオンライン" in Korean, is a medieval fantasy MMORPG with an isometric view. It was created by Webzen, a South Korean gaming company. The game was first released in 2001 and is still being updated and supported in 2024.

Gameplay

Mu Online was developed in December 2001 by the Korean company Webzen Inc. Similar to other MMORPGs, players choose a character from nine available classes and begin their journey on the MU Continent. To earn experience and increase their level, players must fight monsters, called mobs. The game features many types of monsters, ranging from basic ones like goblins and golems to more difficult ones such as Gorgon, Kundun, and Selupan. Each monster type is unique, appears in specific locations, and drops different items. Player versus player (PvP) combat is allowed outside of duels but is not encouraged. If one player attacks another, a self-defense system activates, allowing the attacked player to defeat the attacker within a set time limit. This system also applies when a player attacks a creature summoned by an Elf. Outlaws face disadvantages in the game based on their Outlaw level.

Character classes

At the beginning of the game, players can choose from 15 different character classes: Dark Wizard, Dark Knight, Elf, Summoner, Rage Fighter, Magic Gladiator, Dark Lord, Grow Lancer, Rune Wizard, Slayer, Gun Crusher, White Mage Kundun, Mage Lemuria, Illusion Knight, Alchemist, and Crusader. Two classes, Magic Gladiator and Dark Lord, can be unlocked by reaching a specific level with one character. Players can also buy character cards to unlock additional classes. Each class has unique abilities and items. As characters level up and complete quests, they can change into stronger classes. Each time they change classes, they gain access to new spells, skills, weapons, wings, and a different appearance.

Like most MMO games, characters in MU can use many types of magic and special abilities. Each character has its own set of spells, and some weapons can be enchanted to give the character a specific spell. Using a spell requires MP (mana or magic points) and sometimes AG (stamina).

MU Online includes a chat system that lets all visible players communicate through text. Players can add specific players to their Friends List to stay in contact easily. Other chat options are available, such as Guild chat and Party chat.

Players can join a "party" to team up with others and fight enemies together. In parties, players share experience points and loot. Early versions of the game gave extra experience points to the highest-level player for helping lower-level players. Players could not see others' levels in the party, but they could guess levels by looking at health bars, since spending points on vitality was uncommon. Some characters were designed for use in parties, like the part-elf, which focused on increasing energy, being protected by a summoned creature, and helping other party members.

Sequels

• MU Legend came out in August 2018 for free on Steam through Valofe.
• MU Origin was released in 2016.
• MU Origin 2 was updated in May 2022 on Google Play. The versions were added by GameNow and Webzen.
• MU Origin 3 was updated in June 2022 on Google Play by FingerFun.