RPG in a Box
- May 10, 2022
- Justin Arnold
"RPG in a Box is a user-friendly game creation tool, allowing you to build your own RPGs with no programming or modelling experience needed. It features a voxel editor, dialogue system, and export option for a standalone Windows/Mac game. Create your own interactive experiences and join its growing community on Discord."
Reviews
- RPG in a Box is an incredibly user-friendly game engine that allows both beginners and experienced developers to create games easily and intuitively.
- The integrated voxel editor and visual scripting tools make it simple to create assets and game logic without needing extensive programming knowledge.
- The active community and developer support provide helpful resources and regular updates, enhancing the overall experience and potential of the software.
- The documentation is often lacking or outdated, making it difficult for new users to find tutorials for more advanced features.
- There are frequent bugs and performance issues, especially with larger projects, which can hinder the development process.
- Some core gameplay mechanics, such as combat systems and character stats, are underdeveloped and may not meet the expectations of users looking for more complex RPG features.
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay aspect of the engine shows promise with a variety of built-in systems for creating different game styles, but it currently lacks robust combat mechanics and requires additional tutorials for better understanding. While it offers extensive options for customization and development, the gameplay experience may feel limited without community engagement and custom scripting. Overall, it is fun to experiment with, but users should manage their expectations regarding the depth of gameplay available at this stage.
“This engine definitely still needs work to do everything you'd want within its scope, but it is already capable of quite a bit if the type of game you're looking to make fits within the built-in styles of gameplay, and development is steady.”
“I love that there are so many options available for combat, and it should be easy to make both battles and gameplay entertaining.”
“Because this software has basically everything you need to make a game within it - a voxel editor, sound effects generator, and built-in editors for stuff like items, inventories, shops, dialogues, battles, UI, systems for real-time, turn-based, or roguelike gameplay, quality of life like predefined animation names, along with easy-to-read documentation - I can mess around with art and scripting without worrying about other software or spending a long time making the basics.”
“However, certain mechanics are a bit hard to understand without many tutorials.”
“This project has a lot of potential and is fun to play around with for a while, but there are virtually no combat mechanics to speak of.”
“Just keep in mind you won't be making AAA games, and it's only recently come out of early access, so some of the inbuilt gameplay systems are currently barebones without using custom scripts.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics in "RPG in a Box" feature a charming voxel art style, which is appealing for those looking to create RPGs without delving into complex 3D programming. While some users report occasional graphical glitches and a cumbersome coding experience, the overall clean interface and comprehensive tools make it accessible for beginners to design their own maps, characters, and animations. The supportive developer community further enhances the experience for aspiring game creators.
“This is a really awesome tool for creating RPG style games with a voxel art style.”
“If you don't mind chunky voxel graphics, it includes all tools for making tiles, objects, characters, scripts, dialogue, stats, etc., built around a clean interface and a well-documented help section.”
“RPG in a Box makes it really easy to create your own maps, artwork (using voxels), import artwork, animations, etc. Best of all, it opens the door for the average Joe who simply wants to create a fun game without the hassle (or frustration) of learning complex 3D programming.”
“Graphics glitch out and coding is a hassle; it isn't as easy to browse.”
“If you don't mind chunky voxel graphics, it includes all tools for making tiles, objects, characters, scripts, dialogue, stats, etc., built around a clean interface and well-documented help section.”
“There are a lot of good things to say about this--in short, a really fun system of tools for building voxel-graphic games--but the most distinct is that the developer is unfailingly one of the friendliest, most helpful people on the internet.”
- story7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Users praise the story aspect for its user-friendly tools that allow for easy customization and creativity, enabling players to craft their own quests, dialogues, and characters. The platform is seen as an excellent starting point for aspiring storytellers, providing a rewarding experience in bringing personal narratives to life without the need for complex programming skills. Overall, it fosters a sense of personal investment and enjoyment in storytelling.
“I encourage you to develop your story and environment with the tools provided... I believe it is the quickest and easiest way to bring your dreams to life!”
“It's really user friendly, and if you want to make a simple story, then honestly it's just fine!”
“If you are a creative storyteller and want to be able to create your own RPG without the hassle of having to learn complex 3D programming, this is a wonderful place to start!”
“Easy scripting and asset building frees you up to focus on story and design.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Users report significant performance issues with the engine, particularly as map sizes increase, leading to decreased efficiency and occasional crashes. While the developer is actively working on improvements and addressing community feedback, optimization remains a persistent concern that detracts from the overall experience.
“The engine is supported by a developer that is constantly working to improve performance, while implementing changes based on recommendations from the RPG in a Box community.”
“In any case, the editor is gorgeous, but with optimization, I don’t know what it is...”
“Performance is a constant bugbear when making things for this engine.”
“I'm not sure of the exact reason, but performance decreases very quickly as maps get larger after a certain point, and there is no real-time renderer tool to make this easier.”
“The engine itself is sometimes prone to crashing and performance issues, which are not being addressed as quickly as implementing platforming, for example.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is generally criticized, with users reporting significant bugs during video playback, particularly on smaller screens. While some find it functional, the overall consensus leans towards a lack of reliability, with multiple users expressing frustration over its performance.
“Video playback in-game is supported (but a bit buggy); however, you can't loop or make it stop on the last frame, which affects animated character avatars during dialogue.”
“It's very buggy. 0/10.”
“It works okay, but it doesn't function well and is very buggy on the small screen of my laptop.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users find the grinding aspect of creating a 2D map or world to be tedious and demotivating due to the lack of efficient tools like a "clone stamp" for quick drafting. However, they appreciate the program's ability to streamline many tedious steps in setting up the game environment, which helps alleviate some creative roadblocks.
“Making a 2D map/world is tedious and unfortunately very demotivating, as there is no way to 'clone stamp' from a tileset and quickly draft a map.”
“Great program, probably one of the best voxel editors and animation tools I've used so far; it takes care of a lot of tedious steps in setting up your game environment that can be roadblocks for creativity.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game features customizable Wav file loops for battles and map themes, allowing players to create unique and engaging sound bites for game objects. The user-friendly interface enhances the experience by making it easy to edit and personalize the audio elements.
“The WAV file loop for battles and map theme music is fantastic! It's also fun to create interesting offbeat sound bites for your game objects, and everything is editable within the UI.”
“The music in this game really enhances the overall experience, making battles and exploration feel more immersive.”
“I love how the soundtrack adapts to different situations, adding depth and excitement to the gameplay.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is accessible and easily achievable, making it beginner-friendly and enjoyable for new players.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the world.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
“The game's atmosphere is rich and layered, drawing you in with its stunning visuals and sound design.”