RPG Maker XP

About

"RPG Maker XP is a single-player Role Playing game that can be completed in about 2 hours. It is a no-code game development tool in the RPG Maker series, which simplifies game creation and includes features like auto-save and event skipping. The software allows users to create original role-playing games with improved graphic capabilities, full-color display, and scripting feature for advanced customization."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,025 reviews

graphics10 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

RPG Maker XP is user-friendly and easy to learn, making it a great starting point for beginners interested in game development.
The software allows for extensive customization, including the ability to import your own music, images, and sprites, which enhances the creative process.
It has a robust mapping system with multiple layers, enabling more complex and visually appealing game designs.

The software is outdated and lacks some features found in newer versions, which may limit more ambitious projects.
There is a steep learning curve for advanced features, particularly for those unfamiliar with scripting in Ruby.
Community support and resources for RPG Maker XP are dwindling, making it harder to find help and assets compared to newer versions.

graphics
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
76%
8%
The graphics in RPG Maker XP are often praised for their appealing pixel art style, which many users find more aesthetically pleasing than later versions. However, the engine's graphics capabilities are considered limited compared to modern game engines, and while the retro style may attract enthusiasts, it can feel outdated on high-resolution displays. Overall, the customization options allow for creative expression, but the default assets may require significant modification to meet contemporary standards.
- “On one hand, the graphics and soundtrack are divine, and the mapping system is exquisite.”
- “Still has the best default graphical style of all the RPG makers to this day, in my opinion.”
- “As far as I've seen, RPG Maker XP is the best software to make Final Fantasy-styled games the way you want; it's very versatile to modify graphics, sounds, scripts for programming, everything!”
- “That said, be aware that the graphics quality does begin to show its age when viewed on modern, ultra-high resolution monitors.”
- “[h3] Cons: [/h3] [b]💻 Limited graphics capabilities[/b] Despite its robust customization options, RPG Maker XP is limited in terms of graphics capabilities, particularly compared to modern game engines.”
- “While its pixel art style may appeal to retro enthusiasts, developers seeking high-quality visuals may find the engine's graphics outdated or restrictive.”
music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
72%
8%
The music aspect of the game engine is highly praised for its quality, with many users appreciating the ability to import their own music and sounds, enhancing personalization. While the default soundtrack is considered decent, it is often recommended to seek out custom tracks for a more unique experience. Overall, the music capabilities, including support for various file types and a robust layering system, contribute significantly to the creative potential of the engine.
- “The music (originally the only reason I bought this) is also amazing, with my personal favorite being battle 002.”
- “RPG Maker XP knocked me off my feet with its astounding soundtrack and link back to the retro style; it continuously surprised me with its unique mechanics and originality in the level I created, every level felt great, fun, different, and colorful!”
- “The soundtrack is a classic to fans of old school JRPGs.”
- “RTP music is okay, but not great (again, you'll want to import everything).”
- “The XP remastered music pack is lackluster mainly because it lacks the MIDI reverb.”
- “This RPG Maker version is actually good, but at least in my case, it freezes for quite a number of seconds when loading music.”
story
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
76%
14%
The reviews highlight the importance of a compelling story in game development, emphasizing that while the engine allows for intuitive storytelling and character creation, a strong narrative is essential to stand out in a crowded market. Many users appreciate the ability to craft personal or nostalgic tales, but caution that without a well-developed story and quality art, games may be overlooked. Overall, the platform is seen as a valuable tool for aspiring storytellers, enabling them to bring their narratives to life through gameplay.
- “While it's filled with lovable characters and a nostalgic atmosphere, the story behind it is much darker than it seems.”
- “I recommend it if you want to tell a story you want to get out there without writing it as a book or comic.”
- “You can write a bland fantasy story, flip some assets and publish your crappy game on Steam so you too can be pennies richer.”
- “☑ no story”
- “A role-playing game needs a story after all.”
gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The gameplay in RPG Maker XP is praised for its intuitive design and drag-and-drop functionality, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced developers. While it offers extensive customization through scripting, the engine's limitations mean that standout games require strong storytelling and art. Combat mechanics are noted as unique, contributing to a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic RPGs, though the overall gameplay can feel constrained by the engine's predefined mechanics.
- “More complicated and expansive mechanics are made possible with the use of variables and switches, which again will require plenty of logic flow planning. The advantage of RPG Maker XP is that you don't even need to learn coding.”
- “Its intuitive design and drag-and-drop functionality streamline the game development process, enabling creators to focus on storytelling and gameplay mechanics.”
- “RPG Maker XP knocked me off my feet with its astounding soundtrack and link back to the retro style. It continuously surprised me with its unique mechanics and originality in the levels I created; every level felt great, fun, different, and colorful!”
- “It's a very limited engine, and you will need a really good story and very good art if you want to stand out, because the game's mechanics are pretty much set in stone here, and there's plenty of shovelware clogging up the market to the point where many people will just ignore your game if it looks like it was made in RPG Maker.”
- “Combat mechanics: I just praised them, but there are some serious strikes against them as well.”
- “You cannot have videos during gameplay, however.”
stability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users find the stability of the new RPG Maker version to be an improvement over its predecessor, RPG Maker MV, which was plagued by bugs. However, some still experience freezing issues, particularly when loading music or adding certain event commands, indicating that while the software is generally reliable, it is not without its occasional glitches.
- “I've created maps that look great in the editor, but have glitches in-game because the map layers were mismanaged.”
- “This RPG Maker version is actually good, but at least in my case, it freezes for quite a number of seconds when loading music.”
- “I like it, but sometimes when I add certain events onto the map, and when I play the game I made, the game freezes.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with users finding it very funny and enjoyable, particularly in the context of modding and playful puns. The lightbulb cat game is specifically highlighted for its comedic elements, contributing to an overall lighthearted experience.
- “Very funny software.”
- “I can now mod a funny lightbulb cat game.”
- “Click funny if you want me to get punny with my other reviews! XD”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The optimization of RPG Maker XP is criticized for significant performance issues, which deter users from utilizing customized assets. While pre-optimized tilesets may function adequately, the overall lack of features compared to previous entries exacerbates the game's performance problems.
- “I haven't tried using customized assets because of this, although using a tileset that is already optimized for the game engine should work easily.”
- “I myself haven't tried to use customized assets because of this; although using a tileset that is already optimized for the game engine should work easily.”
- “But on the other hand, many features are missing from RPG Maker XP that were in previous entries, and it has horrible performance issues.”
- “The only real issue is the game performance.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a nostalgic charm and lovable characters, which contrasts sharply with the underlying darker themes of the story. This juxtaposition creates a unique and engaging experience for players.
- “While it's filled with lovable characters and a nostalgic atmosphere, the story behind it is much darker than it seems.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization model is perceived as more straightforward than typical ad-driven platforms, with fewer aggressive DLC offerings compared to previous versions. However, the retro 16-pixel graphics may not appeal to all players, potentially affecting their willingness to invest further.
- “It's nowhere near as simple as YouTube videos and ads say it is.”
- “It so far has less cash-grabbing DLC texture/character packs compared to VA/VX/MV, and the 16-pixel graphics look absolutely old school.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires a significant investment of time, almost akin to needing a second life to fully engage with it.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the character designs, noting them as a standout feature compared to other games, which enhances the overall character development experience.
- “I actually enjoy the character designs a lot more than the other makers.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting experiences of vulnerability and betrayal, as well as the cathartic release of enacting revenge on friends within the game. This duality of emotions—sadness and empowerment—underscores the game's impact on personal relationships and individual feelings.
- “This game took me on an emotional rollercoaster; I laughed, I cried, and I felt deeply connected to the characters.”
- “The story was so moving that I found myself reflecting on my own life experiences long after I finished playing.”
- “I never expected a game to evoke such strong feelings, but the narrative and character development truly touched my heart.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The replayability of the game is hindered by its lack of compatibility with Macs, limiting access for a segment of players and potentially reducing overall engagement.