A popular, accessible game engine for creating classic RPG games, RPGMaker is a very flexible 2D engine that can also make adventure style games. It is well known for many indie classics such as Yume Nikki, OFF, Ib, To the Moon, OneShot, and more. If you’re worried about making assets, fear not, RPGMaker comes out of the box with ready-made art, sound, and menu assets called a Run Time Package (RTP). While this is a paid engine, it frequently goes on sale on Steam, so check back often or put it on the wishlist.

Runs on: Windows / MV runs on: Windows, Mac

Games playable on: Windows / MV games playable on: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Web (html5)

TODO comparison

RPGMaker 2003 - RPGMaker web - Steam - $20

While an older engine, RM2k3 has been a popular choice for creators for its constraints.

Templates

• Tileset (tiles are 16x16)
• Charset (tiles are 32x24)

Tools

• RM tool - checks your database for missing/unused files + can trim unused files
• RM text - format text to fit across the screen exactly
• Resource hacker - change the icon for your game’s shortcut

RPGMaker VX Ace - RPGMaker web - Steam - $70

RPGMaker VX Ace is an engine with lots of resources, history, and support. Additional scripting can be done with RGSS2.

RPGMaker MV - RPGMaker web - Steam - $80

RPGMaker MV is a recent of RPGMaker, now allowing creators to run the engine on Mac and release games on Mac, web, and mobile. MV also introduces Javascript as a scripting language for additional functionality.

RPGMaker MZ - Steam - $80

RPGMaker MV is the most recent release of RPGMaker.