RPG Maker MV (Switch) Review
Release Date: September 8, 2020
Publisher/Developer: NIS America/Kadokawa Games
Platform: Nintendo Switch (reviewed), PlayStation 4
Price: $49.99
RPG Maker MV was released five years ago on PC, before I even reviewed the 3DS specific RPG Maker Fes back in 2017. Now tailored for home consoles, RPG Maker MV brings the most options and content to home consoles ever seen throughout the RPG Maker franchise. As I said in my previous 3DS review, this series allows a stepping stone between enjoying RPGs and hardcore coding of tales.
RPG Maker is, to the literal fault, a full-blown maker. The tutorial consists of your mom asking you to take something to your neighbor. In the midst of this, several little issues arise and the tutorial teaches you how to fix them, from linking a home to a world map to teaching an NPC how to talk. There’s far, far more to learn than what is offered in this tutorial, but average poking around finds a bevy of tricks and gizmos to work through.
Unfortunately, RPG Maker MV comes across as a little bit less user friendly than my time with Fes on the 3DS. Perhaps it’s the different touchscreen, or how the game has to have ease of access for controllers thanks to the PS4 edition, but it can easily be seen that this game originates with a mouse point for fine clicking and adjustment. Sometimes you have to hit A to select, whilst others are routing through menus with Y, it feels like a left/right click kind of situation. The menus allow you to adjust everything, using any character or monster in any position, any combination of character sprites in field, battle, or portrait, adjusting the minutiae of the Hit Points, Magic Points, et cetera. I particularly like how you can adjust the overall names of individual units to be used throughout, so your currency can be dollars, gil, or rolls of duct tape if you so desire. The variety of things you can do with the “LEGO bricks” is quite astounding, but it’s akin to one of those Technic sets without an instruction manual. If something doesn’t work, it’s because you didn’t put something in the right place, and nothing’s going to tell you what’s up until you find the broken mechanic.
It’s been a while since I’ve played RPG Maker Fes, so I can’t be completely sure I’m right in comparison, but I do see a lot more physical content so far, with a whole lot of extra options, like whether your battle is in first or third person. Some of the material to use won’t be available till after launch, which makes it difficult to rate. When I reviewed Fes, I had a lot of medieval stuff, but soon after launch some other themes were released. I’m hoping that the same happens for MV here, especially since the console versions won’t offer the ability to load up your own pictures or custom creations. You’ll be stuck with what the developers offer on these console versions. Also, during the tutorial my tutor stated that I could only upload one adventure at a time, so I assume that means you’ll have to choose your best adventure. Just like on the 3DS, though, there will be a free download allowing you to play other people’s levels. This means if you pour your heart and soul into a game and want to share with friends, you won’t have to force them to buy the game. It also means that in a couple weeks you can download the free software, taste test all the things other people are uploading, and decide if the title is worth getting yourself.
Like I said with RPG Maker Fes, don’t go into this game thinking you will be entertained on your own. The adventure is yours...literally. If you are the kind who goes into Minecraft Creative Mode only and crafts intricate designs where the world turns into a computer or whatever, this is the kind of game for you. You finish a five minute tutorial and are thrown in an empty room with all the tools you need to create a masterpiece, so long as you follow the basic rules set forth by the developers. The hardest part of recommending this title is simply that, from what I see, the original release on Steam would offer you much easier access and many more options simply because PC can bypass some of the inherent laws that consoles have. A great portable inspiration maker, but if you ever want to sell your game to the masses, might as well go for that education and make it proper. I don’t see myself making any 80 hour epics anytime soon, but I might be able to make a fun adventure to send to a friend. That social aspect is what will get me returning to the game: sharing with friends and overall having a good time playing with those building blocks just like I do with the Mario Maker franchise. If you are the creative type and patient enough to check every possibility, RPG Maker MV will be very rewarding.
Pros:
-Biggest selection of items in the franchise yet
-Fine tune the minutiae of every single character
-Deep customization options
Cons:
-Console limitations
-Only one upload
-Not optimized for the Switch’s style of touchscreen
Special thanks to NIS America/Kadokawa Games for providing a code for review!