The Greatness of RPG Maker

by Nathan Ferry

I'd like to take the time to discuss something that has nothing to do with online play, nothing to do with game companies, and nothing to do with the consoles. What I'm going to discuss is something called RPG Maker. Most people don't know what it is, and those who do know about it either love it, or think all copies should be destroyed.

I'm one of those who loves it. And I eagerly wait for the release of RPG Maker 2, and hope that it is everything RPGM1 was and more. So what was RPGM1 in the first place? In a word, best idea ever. Okay that was three words, but that's besides the point. But what it allows is for any gamer (who is willing to take the time) to make a simple RPG. Or so it seems. In truth, it is that and much more.

While there are some crappy RPGs made for it, many have done with it what developers have done on consoles. They have broken nearly every limit that RPGM was given. Like creating battle backgrounds, and extending system data (everything outside of making what happens in the game) beyond a single memory card. We've already seen some genres on it besides RPGs, such as side-scrollers and party games. For example, one person is making a game much like Harvest Moon, except with more RPG elements. More than that, we've seen some very epic RPGs, many hours (and memory cards, which isn't a bad thing) long, taking advantage of Anime Maker, and sometimes even beating the storylines seen in the Final Fantasy series (or at least close to it). Some have even gone as far as putting the settings in modern or futuristic settings, much of the time done very well.

Sure, RPGM still does have its limits. (Inputting text still takes up a good chunk of creation time.) Some people think any RPG made from it is pure crap because of those limits. And it still is challenging making an awesome game. But I think those challenges are one of the reasons I and a few others are still using it (the rest are waiting for RPGM2). For the challenge, and for bragging rights. If you are able to create a good game on this thing, you've got every right to brag. But more so, I think that those still making games (and the newcomers that are still getting this game even today) are doing so in order to make their dream game. That's why I got it. I wanted to show everybody an awesome storyline idea I had, no matter what. Others may create spin-offs, or make fun of things like Mel Brooks did with some of his movies (Space Balls, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights for example). Others might even put in different genres. And unless you know how to do actual programming or download one of the other game creation tools, RPGM is the only way to go. At least until RPGM2 comes out (current release date being this October).

So ignore the poor SNES/Genesis graphics. Ignore the limited choices in music, graphics, and other things. Ignore the challenge of creating games (actual programming is much, MUCH harder), and the annoyance of having to input text with the controller (good thing RPGM2 can be used with a keyboard). So what if you have to play test it a bazillion times to get it working right? As long as you have dream to make the greatest game ever, and the will to make it, this is the way to go.

Don't believe how good you can make games? Try playing some of the more popular games, such as Remote Control (winner of a contest held by EGM), FuFu the Acid Trip Bunny, Berton 1: The Spiteful Dead, or upcoming games such as Acre-Age (the Harvest Moon-type game) and Oriontide. (My apologies go to those at the Pavilion if I didn't name your game. I can't name them all. Just be glad I didn't name mine.) After seeing what's being done on RPGM, I can't wait to see what everyone will come up with in RPGM2.

I'm sorry if this sounds like a review. I'm just saying what I feel, countering some of the bad things said about this game, especially from many of the 2Kers. And I'm not saying this game is for everyone. But if you've ever had an idea for an RPG and realized that nobody is doing quite what you want, just try it out. Don't judge it too quickly. Nobody is able to make masterpieces without taking the time to get used to the system and learning what's possible and how to do things. But once you do figure about everything out, and have tinkered with it enough, then the sky's the limit. With that said, I end my review...er...rant.