Ages ago, there was a war in between the humans, the demons and the gods in Rune-Midgard, the World of Ragnarok. During that war, a giant's heart was shattered into pieces, called Ymir. That heart was fundament of peace and its pieces held a great power.
But, in the years of peace that have come after the long war, lessons from the past were forgotten and humans doomed themselves again by repeating their mistakes.
Only legend remains. A legend of Ymir’s mystical powers woke the greed of humans. Everyone had its own reason for seeking, but no one actually recognized the true essence of Ymir pieces.
Many began their quests for power and that’s how Ragnarok Online starts…

Story and gameplay

The actual gameplay is somewhat different from its legendary background. Player goes through series of simple collection missions, established with the purpose to build up player’s character.
During the game play, players mainly take part in activities such as party play, trading items, and socializing with each other.
What is also interesting about Ragnarok Online is dearth of violence, which makes this game suitable for younger players as well.

Starting game

Each player starts game as a novice. When the game begins, you adjust the basic qualities of your character, choose a look, then enter the fields for combat or take your character through tutorial. 
In this tutorial, a non-player character (NPC), which is controlled by computer, will ask you a series of questions, using your responses to choose the class you are most suited for. As player’s level rises through the game, more job opportunities become available to its character. Currently there are 20 jobs (or classes) available in the game.
If player choose to go directly for combat instead of tutorial, in initial combats player will face many monsters, since there is a war between them and men. Experience is given to the players when they kill monsters. Also, by defeating monsters, players also gain items. Selling those items provide players with “zeny” which is official currency of the game.

PvP

Once it reached level 31, each player could join the guild and take part in PvP (Player vs. Player) battles, which are the essence of every MMO game. Players could pay 500 zeny and enter the Waiting rooms choosing either a room based on your character's level or a room with no level restrictions. Once they’ve became part of one of the guilds, players with low-level characters have support from their guild mates that are experienced players. Also, as a member of a guild, player could be involved in “War of Emperium” (WoE).

WoE

WoE is a “capture the castle” event that is holding twice a week. It is actually, a battle between several guilds for castles in town. To participate in WoE, guild must first obtain Seal of Approval Skill. There is a four castle grounds in RO, with five castles in each. Each castle, in it’s deepest part has the Emperium. Goal of WoE is to seize the Emperium, which automatically dislodge defeated guild of the castle. Also, conquering the castle gives an opportunity to the victory guild to access dungeons, treasures and items that are not accessible to players which aren’t members of the residing guild.