Which one should I buy? ^^

[Oni]

Hi all ^^

First, sorry if my english is so damn bad, my first language is french and sorry, also, if this post have been made like an undread of times.

So, I'm looking to an RPG Maker and I wonder which one should I buy?

Well... for RPG Maker 1, I can't find anyplace to buy it. So it leaves 2 and 3.

Actually, I've rent 3 when it cames out and try it for three days. Find it was so limited, but graphic are nice and easy to use.(too easy to use... though..). I've, also, looked on some picture of RPGM 2 on web and found that graphics was craps ^^

So I let down my idea of buying RPGM and told myself that I'll wait for RPGM 4.

But, by these time I really want to make an RPG ^^.

So, I've looked again on all informations I can get on those to Maker and didn't find anymore that graphics on 2 are really craps(cause it look like you can mostly do anything with all the sets you got).

So, those are my questions. Do RPGM 3 are really so limited or it's just that in three days, I didn't have the time to see all the components of the games?;

I've heard that the memory card give a limite of what you can create with RPGM 2, but I wonder, do anyone of you were able to full fill it so that he goes angry that he couldn't finish his game. ^^


My last questions are about keyboard ^^

I wish to know, if their is adapter to connect an old keyboard(you know the one that aren't usb and that no one get by these time I don't know how they are called :S)? Or I absolutly need to buy a new one? If yes, can I buy any USB keyboard? If no, How many can it cost? ^^

(I'll try to make a poll, but I'm not use to it... :S)

[Misty]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

I have respect for both RPG Maker 2 and RPG Maker 3, of course, since I've owned the games for a while. Having recently experimented with RPG Maker 3, I did find the limitations a little absurd. There were games I wanted to make that weren't humanly possible. But the imagination never fails you. You just have to think within a "medieval" context. RPG Maker 2 offers a lot more freedom when it comes to making games. I've seen how Rodak was able to make entirely new games--ones I never imagined in my wildest dreams you could make with RPG Maker 2. I guess you have to know a lot of the scripts and codes to pull off something so magnificent.

Anyway, I chose RPG Maker 3 because it's easier to use. I had a difficult time with RPG Maker 2, but I dare not judge it because I still think it's an awesome piece of software. I think both games are good, and I'm forgetting RPG Maker 1--how silly of me. That's a good game, too!

In terms of memory, for both games, you can store a substantial amount--just like RPG Maker 1. You might not want to consider making a huge, HUGE game with all the Final Fantasy special effects, but the memory clocks in well enough to make a fairly long RPG. I do not know the specifics of the memory in itself though, but I can say an eight hour RPG is indeed very possible.

I think you might be able to connect any keyboard to the PS2, but I'm not so sure. You can buy PS2 USB Keyboards for about 20 bucks (that's how much I bought mine for) and they work well. A keyboard is an absolute MUST regardless of whether you play RPGM2 or RPGM3--using a standard controller to input text is a huge pain in the ass. You'll find that keyboards are a whole lot more comfortable!

[Pagerron]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

Hey Oni.
Welcome to the Pavilion. I currently have RPG Maker 1 and RPG Maker 3.
I owned RPG Maker 2 before but I got frustrated with it because it is so complex. You seem to have a good idea about the differences already. You're right that RPG Maker 3 has good graphics but is more limited than 2. And RPG Maker 2 doesn't have graphics that are great but has far more possibilities for personalization and uniqueness in design. It depends what is more important to you, I guess.
As far as the USB keyboard. I don't know about the adapter (maybe Radio Shack?) If you decide to get a new keyboard, you should be able to buy any USB keyboard (and it should work fine). For example, I have a Microsoft keyboard that's great. You can buy cheap USB keyboards for 10 or 15 dollars. It's definitely a good investment no matter which RPG game you buy. You can use a keyboard for either 2 or 3.

[Alutra]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

Look Here for a topic on RPGM 2 and 3 comparisons.

[snake storm]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

Well, all i know is two is way too hard for me, 3 looks too much like an everquest rip off for my tastes...i'd personally reccommend one and i'd suggest trying like ebay...but if that's turned up nothing, you're best bet of getting ANY would be RPG Maker 3.

two's almost impossible to find now anyway.

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

If you're willing to spend a few weeks learning the ins and outs of RPGM2, I'd say get that. The graphics are simplistic at first, the game's horizon is only 15 steps away (though maps can be bigger) (oh, it uses 8-way tile movement), and there's a blur you have to get used to, but the power is unrivaled in the console RPG-Making world. Well, unless you became an official developer for Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft.

You've about seen all you could see with the 3 days you spent with RPGM3. There's a few things to check out I'm sure, but they aren't all that great. With RPGM2, any idea you come up with, there's a 90% or so chance it's possible. And if you're worried about graphics, you can make more impressive looking levels and special effects with RPGM2. Like say, waterfalls, bridges made out of vines, floating castles... Really, the only real problem with the graphics in RPGM2 is there's a bit of a block limit for placing buildings. A map can only have buildings equalling no more than 512 blocks total. A good 4x4 building already takes up 40 blocks. This isn't a problem with RPGM3, since you only use pre-made buildings. Still, RPGM2 would probably be more worthwhile.

Unless you're in a hurry to create an RPG. Then I'd go with 3. Though make sure you don't plan your game until you know what is and isn't possible.

[Vonwert]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

If you have a computer, I would also suggest RPGMaker XP.

But as for console rpgmakers, I would suggest getting RPGM1 off the internet.

But for local searches, I would think about what you want to do. Spend more time and effort to learn RPGM2, and create pretty much what ever you want, or go with something simple, but limited with RPGm3.

[HolyPhoenix]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

Wow, last time I checked these were really hard to find. I could always find the usb to ps2 adapter but it seems it has gotten easier. I think it should work but I am not sure.

Edit: actually I don't know if I can put that link here. I will send it to you in a pm.

[Jamos' Old Account]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

First, sorry if my english is so damn bad, my first language is french and sorry, also, if this post have been made like an undread of times.

Actually, I think you speak english very well. There are people I know that have english as there first language and they can barely speak it. Anyway, I would suggest RPGM2. The stuff you can do in it are mind blowing, but you must be patient. It takes a while to get the hang of RPGM2.

PS: Welcome to the pavilion! I hope you like it here.

[Hedrum]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

Well... for RPG Maker 1, I can't find anyplace to buy it.

Have you checked the internet? RPG Maker 1 is worth getting.

Anyway, out of those two choices, I'd have to say RPG Maker 2. I don't work with RPG Maker 2, but it's in my game collection (unlike RPG Maker 3 at this point). Besides, RPG Maker 2 has a lot more flexibility I heard. RPG Maker 2 is hard for me to use (so that's why I'm not working with it), but if you know how to work with it, then kudos to you because some people think RPG Maker 2 is a bit frustrating.

[Crimson Knight]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

I say if you're willing to learn the game(ONE STEP AT A TIME!) then go with RPG Maker 2. Like the forum description says, it's overwhelming at first, but worth the effort. If you're just looking to make a widely acceptable game and don't mind the incredible limitations too much, go with RPG Maker 3. I myself liked the fact that creating a big game in RPG Maker 3 took a little over 2 weeks, but I sold it because the frustration from the lack of control was too much for me. I guess it's because I've gotten so used to having near complete control over my game in 2, that being trapped in 3's world was unbearable.

If you go with 2, don't expect any other RPG Maker currently out on the market to match it, otherwise you'll get torn between them.

[Oni]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

So thanks for the advices ^^ Think I'm gonna look for two ^^ And I've already find a place to buy it...

There will be the starting of one of my idea I wish to make as a game. ^^ Dunno, if I'll make it in french or in english, or make it in french and translate in english...

You live in a world with no magic, in a kinda underground city that more look like a prison. All your moves, all you words are being controls by the army who takes control of the city(though :S). Can't espect any liberty. If you are looking for some, you're gonna get killed or, at least, torture. (Kinda looking like URSS communist :P).

They told you that no world exists beyond this walls. They are the truth and you are stupid

But, someday, one of your dude will come with a strange shaped stone which is glowing in the dark.

- Do you think it can be magic?
- Shut up!! You know that word is forbidden!
- Oh! Come on...You think they are gonna come and get me kill 'cause I've found a stone? Stop being shuch a jerk...
- You should get it back to the autority..
- What you are gonna denounce me?
- No... we are friends for life remember?
...

Then, about one month after. He came back to you and told you that he has found how the stone works and that he actually have seen the oustide world, with trees, rivers, cows(I love cows ^^) and all. He will ask you to come with him, but... you'll see what happen in like a years or two, when I'll have finish my games

dunno, if I'll be able to do the leveling system I want.. so I'm not gonna tell anything about it right now

[Vonwert]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

Rodak will be able to help you with your cow needs

[The Toecutter]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

With RPGM3, expect about 1 hour of work for 20 minutes of gameplay. With RPGM1, expect 1 hour of work for 6 minutes of gameplay. With RPGM2, about 1 hour of work for 2 minutes of gameplay.

So a 20 hour epic on RPGM2 might take you 600 hours of work to make, RPGM1, about 200 hours, and RPGM3, about 60 hours.

This assumes you know waht you're doing and are making a high quality game. Someone without practice will take longer to make a game, but may substitute quality for quantity(I wouldn't recommend it).

RPGM1- can make your own custom graphics, but are limited to 9 custom characters in use at the same time. You can have more than 9 if your game spans multiple system or scenario cards. You can also use custom characters as a way to make your own custom tiles and objects. Limited to one event occuring at once, making it difficult to make decent cutscenes. Cannot make your own music, unless you are willing to force the player to hear a custom track during a cutscene, in which they won't be able to move and since only one event can occur at a time, you cannot have cutscenes occuring at the same time as custom music.

RPGM2- can make your own VFX and even use those VFX to make entire characters, objects, and vehicles. You cannot make custom character models themselves and use them as such, but the VFX can be used to make custom characters if you are a good programmer and understand how VFX work. Can also make your own 2d graphics using picture paradise. Can make custom music as well if you are a competent programmer.

RPGM3- No customization, but excellent graphics, especially weather effects. Limited to 100 characters in each game, including party members, townspeople, ect. Cutscenes use 2D pictures, however there is a way around this but it is very limited.

[Rodak]

Re: Which one should I buy? ^^

Wow, I was mentioned twice in this thread!

I would suggest RPGM2 if you can get past the look of the people.

I never liked the look of the people in RPGM2, so I just use the animals and Visual Effects for nearly everything.

But the rest of the graphics are the best of the lot! I wish people would stop complaining about "Graphics" when they mean "The Way The Human Characters Look." There is so much more to graphics than just the lousy Humans!

I need some people, but they are used sparingly.

For some tips and a great preview of what the Visual Effects Editor can do, check the link in my signature for the current version of my VFX Editor Guide!

Here's what I did with the cow Bigfoot and I designed in a collaborative effort:



That lady will never try to charge a cow for a room again!

Nothing like that is possible in any of the other makers.

I don't think.

Welcome to the boards (and your English is perfectly understandable! Far better than my French!!)

Peace.