PlayStation 2

RPG Maker 3

So, if you've always wanted to try making a game for the PS2, or are just interested in design at all, then you should consider checking this out. Otherwise it's probably not for you. It all comes down to desire and imagination.

RPG Maker is fun if you like to, or think you want to design games. It earns 4 GiN Gems for putting forward a unique concept, and opening up the world of game design to the masses.

Building a world map alone is something that could takes up days, regardless of the inherent simplicity of such an act. Creating characters, items, monsters, special attacks, and cities is fun, but tying them all together, knowing when and how to introduce them into what will become the finished product, well … it's hard. Making a game is hard! It's work! If you have the drive to make a game using RPG Maker 3 as a base, congratulations, your organizational skills are somehow better than mine. The game is a powerful and easy-to-use tool, and you'll no doubt use it many more times in the future, although you may not be impressed by the mediocre graphics. As for me, I'll just stick to writing screenplays.

Considering the extent to which one can create an interactive adventure on the PlayStation 2 console system, RPG Maker 3 is a stalwart adventure that does a fine job of not only putting creation tools in the hands of gamers, but making them easy to use.

While the graphics and animations definitely look several years old, the move into 3D works surprisingly well. Aspiring designers could do much worse than taking the time to try this out, but only if you head in with great patience and a willingness to learn.

All silliness and hyperbole aside, I really do enjoy tinkering with RPG Maker 3. I like that the graphical improvements the series has made allow me to create characters that look more like what I imagine. I like that I can concentrate on creating a story, while the game takes care of a lot of the things I used to have to struggle through manually in older iterations of the game - things like changing the time of day, building an entire town from scratch, or creating a dramatic cutscene. And I definitely like how up-front everything has become - if I want a character there, I put a character there and that's that.

RPG Maker 3 holds a fair bit of potential, if you can stand to put in the many, many hours required to create a quality title. The actual engine and game mechanics aren't all that great, but if you're inventive you're certainly given the opportunity to create great characters and a lively back story through conversation and such.

I cannot deny the sheer entertainment of this game as a hobby project: between the slew of characters, monsters, and items, there is enough here to keep you occupied for days. Furthermore, some people will undoubtedly appreciate the opportunity to "own" their gaming experience. So, if ownership is that important to you, then congratulations - you own garbage.