Paid game maker
RPG Maker VX Ace is a purchasable game-making software for creating 2D RPG titles with relative ease. The software provides various tools that help you tile the map, create character dialogue, and place interactable items. Finding new assets to make the game look unique is a quick task, thanks to the online community.
Make RPG games
RPG Maker VX Ace is a tool for the sole purpose of creating games. The app provides all the resources you’ll need, including a library of fully animated sprites, tiles, and dialogue boxes. However, as the software offers a template for classic roleplaying games, many games created from it feel repetitive due to shared mechanics.
Learning curve
RPG Maker VX Ace uses Ruby as its scripting language, requiring you to learn at least part of it before creating games. You’ll often need to script to navigate players through portals, doors, and many more. The online community is a great help as you learn, offering tutorials and advice.
Easy to use interface
The interface for RPG Maker VX Ace is old-fashioned and resembles Windows 7 frames. From the side of your screen, you can select ‘Tile’ to design the map. In ‘Event’ mode, you’ll place interactable events, which trigger and control various processes in the game automatically or in response to player input.
The ‘Database’ menu lets you customize enemies, player characters, inventory items, and more. In the ‘Scripting’ menu, you can alter the game engine’s pre-existing code, or insert your own. There’s even an option to play-test your work within the application.
Find new assets
If you use the assets provided with the application, you’ll create a game that looks the same as many others. While this is great for practicing, but if you want to make a title to sell, you’ll need to make or find new options.
The online community has various free and purchasable asset packs. There’s also many DLC available for RPG Maker VX Ace. If you are using premade assets in your game, make sure they are licensed for commercial use.
Content included in the run time package (RTP) or official DLC should be safe, but always make sure you have the right to use these materials.
Make games, earn money
With RPG Maker VX Ace, you can make a game and sell it. Many online distributors accept RPG Maker creations and have their own tag for titles made this way.
Our take
RPG Maker VX Ace is a useful tool in a long line of RPG Maker products. The software is easy to use but will require a few hours of learning before writing scripts.
While many newer versions are better alternatives, you can try Open RPG Maker for a similar yet free option, or create 3D games for free using Unity.
Should you download it?
Yes. This application is worth installing if you’re looking for a powerful tool to make simplistic and retro role-playing games.
