1 2 or 3

[Red Dragon]

Hiya everybody!
I'm new to the forums but have owned RPG Maker 1 for a LONG time. I was wondering in everyones opinion what version is better for the consoles? I like RPG Maker 1 and everything, but not having a mouse and keyboard is a drag and gets on my nerves. I look at RPG maker 3 and it looks actually kinda cool. but i also hear that RPG maker 2 is much better.

Whats your opinion?

[Manyak]

Re: 1 2 or 3

I haven't used 3 yet, but 2 is great as long as you have the patience for it.

It's the common opinion that it's pretty irritating to get used to.

[Hedrum]

Re: 1 2 or 3

I haven't used 3 as well, but I'd have to say the first one. It's easier to make games with and it takes less time too. So, if someone ever wanted to make their own little RPG game without all of that time figuring out how to program and what not, I suggest the first RPG Maker in the series.

[Aminveloscasin]

Re: 1 2 or 3

Rpgmaker 1 = less limitations than three, bad graphics,
Rpgmaker 2 = almost no limitations, bad graphics, hard to use
Rpgmaker 3 = easiest to use, limitations, best graphics

Those r three short descripitions, just decide which problems you want to live with.

BTW if your planning to get one of the others...get a USB keyboard(w/adapter)

[Red Dragon]

Re: 1 2 or 3

What adapter do i need if i get a USB keyboard? Can i use a mouse in 2 or 3? Are the events in 2 or 3 still similar to 1?

Yay questions!

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: 1 2 or 3

You don't need an adapter with a USB keyboard, I think he meant you can get a USB keyboard or get an adapter that let's you plug the other kind into a USB port.

There's no mouse support in 2 or 3. There's no where in 2 that it would be helpful. It might be nice for the map editor in 3 but it's actually pretty good just using the controller.

The events in 3 are slightly similar to 1 except that NPCs are handled as characters not regular events. Events in 2 are so vastly different I wouldn't know where to begin explaining it.

As for which is best it depends on the person using it. If you want to make a game that tells your story but would rather not have to deal with every detail go with 3. It's the fastest and easiest to use, but that also means there are a lot of things you can't do (some of which there's really on logical excuse for). If you have unique gameplay ideas or want to make something other than a traditional RPG then 2 is for you. But having all that programmability means there's a lot to learn and in some ways the system is set up in a very hard to understand way. IMO, RPG Maker 1 is the best designed US console release but I like 3 more for it's simplicity and visual presentation.

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: 1 2 or 3

Rpgmaker 1 = less limitations than three, bad graphics,

To quote EGM, "your RPGM1 game will look like an old Sega Genesis game". Or something like that. Personally I don't feel the graphics of RPGM1 are too bad. They don't look like FF6, but at least they're better than FF4 and 5. Well, sort of. Here's my opinion of the three.

RPGM1 - 1st or 2nd generation Genesis graphics with some customization and the ability to use custom sprites, easy to use, unable to make more than one thing happen at the same time, no variables (which are essential if you want to easily keep track of amounts of something)
RPGM2 - 3D graphics with LEGO-wannabe graphics and some customization, hard to use but nearly limitless in its potential, cinematic potential is top-notch
RPGM3 - 1st-generation PS2 graphics with very little customization in every possible way, easy to use, unable to create anything real cinematic

Personally, I prefer RPGM1. Easy to use, and I can create my own custom characters without having to worry about textures that I don't want. And now, some answers. Even though I'm probably too late giving them at this point.

You don't need an adaptor if you use a USB keyboard. There is no mouse support. Events are similar in that you choose from a list of commands, but the commands differ some (a few are confusing as to what they do without getting some practice with them) and creating events in particular is a lot different in both RPGM2 and 3.

[Alutra]

Re: 1 2 or 3

Also consider this...
Who are you making this game for?

1) Trying to impress your friends?
2) Wanting to be part of our RPGM community?
3) Yourself?

1) If you want to show your real life friends a game you made, they will definantly be more visually impressed by RPGM 3. RPGM 2 is cool, but one of the things that turned me off about it was that it was kind of blurry. If you show your friends an RPGM 2 game, it probably should be a shorter game (unless your really, really creative). RPGM 3 Is BEAUTIFUL.

If you are making a more strait-forward RPG, I highly recommend RPGM 3. Everything in it is geared for this.


Let’s talk about effort-to-product Ratio. (Relative)

Let’s say it takes about 30 hours of input time on RPGM 1 to make 1 hour of playtime.
(Depending on how well you know the software) It will take 50-90 hours of input time on RPGM 2 to make 1 hour of playtime.
It will take 10-15 hours of input time on RPGM 3 to make 1 hour of playtime.

This is my opinion, and I'm sure some RPGM 2 Pros will disagree with me, but really, there is a HUGE learning curve on RPGM 2. They might be able to make a game fast now, but how many hours have they put in just learning the software? (For RPGM 2)

I spent 3 years on RPGM 1 for a fifteen hour game. I spent 1 month on RPGM 3 for an 8 hour game.


2) Wanting to be a part of the community? Have RPGM 1, 2 and 3 on your shelf. Play others games. Really, you can learn allot from other people.
Also you will need to get a MAX drive or other similar product to share games with others (for 2 & 3). You need a DEX drive for 1. Some of us long timers still play RPGM 1, its popularity is fading a bit, but it has the largest library of games. There are some DIE-HARD RPGM 2 fans here as well so there will likely always be someone to play your game if you make it on 2. There is a small rush of new folk joining up because they got RPGM 3. While not everyone (long term members I am referring to) has gotten it, it definantly has a good life span ahead of it, so you’re safe making a game on 3 as well.

3) Making a game for yourself? I know, it sounds arrogant. But if you don’t make games for yourself, then who are you making them for? I always start off making a game by saying to myself, "what kind of game would I like to play?” really, you should LOVE WHAT YOU DO, AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE. That’s the meaning of life. Inevitably, I turn the game I’m making into something I want others to enjoy.

IF YOU ARE VERY PATIENT, AND VERY CREATIVE, try RPGM 2.
IF YOU WANT TO BE VERY PRODUCTIVE try RPGM 3.

[Red Dragon]

Re: 1 2 or 3

I own 1, but without a keyboard (because it's a PS game not a PS2 game) it gets to annoying to make a really good RPG with.

I have a question about 3. I watched a movie of "The Clown Killers" and it looked like Dark Cloud 1 graphics with strange walk cycles. Do you choose your walk cycles or is it always that wierd?

Of course i work with 3D so it just may seem strange to me.

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: 1 2 or 3

You can't really choose how anybody walks. The good news is, some walk differently than others; some normal, some wierd.

[Haitoku No Honoo]

Re: 1 2 or 3

Do you care about graphics? If not, two is the best. Followed by number one then three.

Two & one involve little compromise if you are willing to put in the work. Part three however... even if you are willing to do the work, you can't add much of your own touch to it.

[WilliamKirk]

Re: 1 2 or 3

The graphics in 2 can become incredible if you have the patience and determination - especially when you consider the ability to have multiple things moving at once in content scripts, greater customization of character and enemy models, and the elusive visual effects editor. If you've got what it takes RPGM2 surpasses the other two in every way possible.

[Rodak]

Re: 1 2 or 3

I watched a movie of "The Clown Killers" and it looked like Dark Cloud 1 graphics with strange walk cycles. Do you choose your walk cycles or is it always that wierd?

Wow... somebody saw The Clown Killers video.

The main character walks funny because I chose the Bellydancer as my main character.

I don't care for the more traditional things.

Which is why I say that if you have good Logic skills, or experience with programming a computer at any level (even lowly HTML), then RPGM2 will not be as hard as many here make it out to be.

Yes, it takes time to learn (like any programming language), but there is so little you can not do that it is well worth getting.

I did not like the look of the people in the game (along with most who criticize it), so I don't use them much.

You can use the Animals (like I did in the Clean Underwear Quest), or make Visual Effects for Characters (like I did in Videogamedrome) or you can even make a game with no characters (like Jugem did by recreating Tetris faithfully on RPGM2). There are screen shots of Videogamedrome HERE. If you want the mpg links refreshed, just ask. You can see that everything from a Space Station to a Spiked Ball and Chain is possible. There is even a shot or two of a Playable insect character (which I made in the Visual Effects editor) posted at the bottom of the page.

If you just used RPGM1 "by the book" and are not the type to push limits and figure out new ways to do things, then try 3 first.

But if you enjoy a good logic puzzle or just like pushing limits, you can not beat RPGM2.

3 is OK... I am slowly getting over the lack of camera control and the inability to move events. But I can not suggest it over RPGM2 to anyone with the ability to use RPGM2 well.

And Thanks for watching The Clown Killers videos.

Peace.

[Crimson Knight]

Re: 1 2 or 3

This is my opinion, and I'm sure some RPGM 2 Pros will disagree with me, but really, there is a HUGE learning curve on RPGM 2. They might be able to make a game fast now, but how many hours have they put in just learning the software? (For RPGM 2)

To make a decent game, not much. Maybe a month or two, probably more if you lack any problem solving skills whatsoever(despite what people say, you don't need much experience to make a decent game, take it from one of the most uneducated people here, most of the basic HS subjects flew over my head ). While the learning curve is steep, it mostly depends on the person(some people take even less time to learn the system). Obviously to learn any advanced tactics you're gonna have to work a little but other than that, a basic understanding of how to place stuff, some common sense, some patience and you're good to go. A lot of people exaggerate because of their own issues they have with the game, this is why there are so many different opinions on it.

For the most part, RPG Maker was good for creating a basic game with some of your own sprites, but that's it. It was a bit more flexible than RPG Maker 3 though. RPG Maker 2 is for more serious designers who don't want to create games from scratch using a computer language or an overly complex creation tool, but want more flexibility in their gameplay without many limitations like lack of available memory in a controlled enviroment. The 3D graphics aren't very good compared to say RPG Maker 3, but they're enough I suppose. RPG Maker 3 is for people who wanted to use RPG Maker, but wanted a much better looking game than those from the Genesis era. Even compared to RPG Maker, it isn't very flexible gameplay wise. But if you want to impress your friends and make basic games very easily, this is a great one.

My personal preference is RPG Maker 2, because I can make the games I want on that tool very quickly. RPG Maker 1 and 3 are child's play to me, and weren't as satisfying in terms of gameplay flexibility. I could care less about graphics, as long as the system's really flexible and flows well, I can even deal with NES caliber graphics.

[Red Dragon]

Re: 1 2 or 3

Graohics aren't my main concern. I am more concerned with animation, (ie. walk cycles).
I currently have knowledge in Java and HTML (not an expert but well enough to make a good website.)
I am at a cross roads now... In one case I can make a Game slow, but very flexable with RPGM2 Or fast but plastic solid with RPGM3.

I want to make RPGs, thats my favorite genre. It sounds to me RPGM3 is "Childs Play" meaning i might not have fun with it. But RPGM2 is complex and takes about a month to work out right...

I wish they weren't so different from eachother, i like my RPGM1 alot, I once had a marginally (very very slight margin) good game. but i deleted it by accident.

I was wondering somthing about RPGM3... how large can you make a map. is it small or large? can i make a whole entire world using the "drawing" map editor, or just a small island?