RPG Maker MV (REVIEW)

Kadokawa, and NISA's "RPG Maker MV" is an RPG creation tool that bypasses the tedious task of coding, and lets players do the technical adjustments via a series of tool and value menu screens. You'll be able to create full length RPGs from the ground up. Everything from character and enemy creation to event management, and battle systems. Even the map transitions are at your beckon call. While the game does offer a brief introduction to all of it through a hands on tutorial most of the learning will be done through the HELP menu, and play testing along the way. Through the tutorial you will learn the basics of menus, menu navigation, and the base functionality of all that's available including the ability to upload and share your creation through the companion app that will be made available on launch.

As cumbersome as it may be micro-managing an entire full length RPG, "RPG Maker MV" makes it possible in the most simplified way it possibly can. You will find navigating the many menu options is toned down to the use of the SQUARE, R1/L1, and R2/L2 buttons. Allowing you to switch between menus, sub-menus, and individual tasks on the fly. With SQUARE being how you switch between panels within a menu, and the shoulder buttons how you swap between tabs. Depending on the menu, and it's functions you will be able to change things like map, and event grid views as well as cycle through the various layers of map creation. You'll also find a settings tab for fine tuning characters, classes, weapons, enemies, and their respective actions or animations. Undo, save, and play test are also staple features made available for those of you looking to perfect your design. Everything you can do is available in an ease of access UI leaving you to figure out the more technical effects each option has on a trial and error basis. 

For those of you invested you will be able to submit, and share your creations within the limits of the terms of service agreement. You cannot copy others' work, and you can only submit one RPG at a time per person. That aside what you do will be enjoyed by others, and shared among the community through the companion app. How much time you choose to commit to the project will be up to you in the end, but the sky is the limit with this particular RPG maker, and anything you can dream up can come to life for you, and others. The catch being that this RPG maker is strictly old school in presentation with Final Fantasy style visuals, and the usual assortment of sprites associated with those retro experiences. It's something that may or may not turn you away as an RPG fan, but supposing you are an RPG fan of old you will more than likely find the ability to create your own RPG appealing. 

The Verdict ...

Though the tutorial seemed rushed, and the technical features thrown in your face without the entire context being explained away I found that the developer did good in creating a tool set that is easily accessible. The user interface is very friendly, and the navigation from panel to tab equally so. Where the frustration, and time consumption will come in though is tending to every little detail. Things like events which incorporate character interactions, errands, and map transitions will take a while to complete, especially when they are more involved. Simply tending to NPCs will take the use of several menus just to get them to do the simplest of functions. That being said if you can figure it out, and know what your doing the task completion won't be nearly as time consuming. The only real downside I found, if any is that the available item, weapon, character, and enemy sprites are limited. Making what you can create somewhat limited itself. One thing I did notice in regards to this though is that by logging into the community forum where you submit your creations you will reward you with new sounds, and items that can be used. Hopefully the developer will continue to add these things as the community grows. For what it is I think Kadokawa Games did good in creating an RPG maker that makes things easier. I think this is about as easy as an RPG maker can get, and for that reason it is easily recommendable. If you ever dreamed of creating your own RPG here's your chance!!!