How Much Harder is RPGM2?

[MisterManigation]

I'm just curious. I heard it's a lot harder than RPGM1. But I guess it is. Do you recommend it?

[Vonwert]

It is a lot harder than RPGM1. You basically will have to create most of the scripts yourself and it takes a lot to just make a door open and close.

It has a lot of options, but you will need a couple months to learn everything...and that isn't spent making the game.

I would check your free time...if you don't have much, then stick with RPGM1.

[Czechs Mex]

And if you have a lot, you'd be better off spending it learning C++ or something. RPGM2 is a huge investment for a blurry reward. Some people seem to like it though.

[Gustaff 13]

What they said. It does have kick ass music, though. I'd use it to play others' games if I could get this X-port to work.

[Draygone]

Lot's of work to do pretty much anything in RPGM2. Not so much that it's not worth it, but enough to make anyone wonder why it couldn't have been a bit more streamlined. As said, if you have a lot of time on your hands (or want to create some really good stuff, as RPGM2 can do a bunch of things RPGM1 can't), then go ahead and get RPGM2.

Or at the very least, get it so you can play games made on it. :)

[Crimson Knight]

RPG Maker 2 requires a lot more work than RPG Maker, I wouldn't say it's too much harder though, as it's all about learning what to do. I learned most of it under a month, WHILE DEVELOPING MY GAME(take that!:D). The time you take to learn how to use the game depends on your learning abilities. If you're not used to taking things in baby steps and don't catch on fast, it'll take a while to learn. It also depends on how you tackle the different aspects. If you're in a learning mode, you absorb more. And of course, the work required depends on your ambitions. Like any game development project, if you have great ambitions, you'll have your work cut out for you.

Despite what others say, the result of your work depends on how much you put in. In order to get a lot, you're going to have to put a lot in, and maybe a little more, but trust me, compared to other opportunities, it's well worth it. Once I get a good deal of my game done, I hope to share a video that's the result of my work, and I'm sure it'll get a rise out of people.:p

If you don't make games for RPG Maker 2 though, you can always play games for it.

[Big Rick Cook]

Five replies, each one saying essentially the same thing.

[Czechs Mex]

We've reached consensus.

[MisterManigation]

Cool! I'll think about getting it with the strategy guide along with it.

[Vonwert]

Well, at least it should be low in price by now...

[MisterManigation]

There are copies on ebaY reaching very close to $50.

[Blue-Knight]

I got my RPG maker2(Factory Sealed) off Ebay for $37.50.
Just have to search and wait.

[man with shell]

The issue I'd bring up is the damn blur, ya know? It'd be worth it to put in a lot of effort if you got a lot out of it. But everytime I decide to start something, I test play, see the blur, and quickly turn the thing off.

I'd say the way battles work is a lot nicer. Instead of having to deal with the pre-made statuses you can make your own, and damage can use different formulas and the like. It's possible to make your battles a lot more fun than the RPGM1 variants were.

The music is better, the sound effects, too. The graphics, though... even if you don't worry about the blur, the characters are rather seriously deformed.

Overall, my preference is RPGM1. The battles and music are nice, but the graphics just really, really bother me. Plus, a DexDrive is more available (I think) and you don't have to worry about Sharkport/X-port/Max-whatever compatibility. It's all in the same kind of file.

The strategy guide will help you, if you decide to get it. If nothing else, it acts as a good reference guide for what different system variables do.

And if you know what's good for you, shy away from C++. Microsoft Visual C++ costs a couple hundred bucks, as I understand, and the results of one man sitting at his computer alone are going to be iffy, at best. If it takes a team of developers over a year to make a good game, just how long will it take for one person?

Well, whatever.

[Draygone]

DexDrive has been out of production for a while. The Max Drive is relatively new, so it shouldn't be as hard to find. As for file compatability, all one has to do is download the file converter, and problem solved.

I can't believe people are still complaining about the blur. Sure, it's noticeable by a large extent, but most get used to it.