19 Best RPG Maker Games Ever - The first knowledge sharing application in Vietnam

There was a time when most people considered RPG Maker to be nothing more than a beginner’s tool for solo developers to get a taste of what it felt like to engage in game development before they would move on to more complex software. However, the RPG Maker dev tool is deceptively complex, with most people managing to make some truly incredible games that have stood the test of time as some absolute narrative masterpieces.

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From full-blown epic RPGs to linear adventure games that feature some truly incredible stories and characters, the sheer level of love and effort people put into their games on this platform is truly astounding in every sense of the word. Here, you can check out some of the best games made with RPG Maker.

Updated January 26, 2023 by Jacqueline Zalace: RPG Maker is still just as popular as ever, so we’ve added even more entries to our list for you to play.

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Ara Fell

For those of you who want to enjoy a classic RPG experience without any modern nuances that can be interpreted as irksome, there’s no better game to try out than Ara Fell.

Of course, to just call Ara Fell a tribute to the RPGs of the past would be a massive injustice to the quality of this underrated title — the story and combat are great in their own right, with the classic art style being the perfect cherry on top of a well-rounded package.

Skyborn

Skyborn is an evolution of the RPG genre that doesn’t involve heavy grinding or cumbersome inventory management, perfect for players who want a more casual experience.

The game might not be the longest title on this list — most players finish the title around eight hours or so —but the quality of its combat and storytelling makes it a stellar experience regardless.

Omori

Omori is a game that has recently come into the limelight in resounding fashion and is considered to be an indie darling by many. This is an excellent title with some truly quality writing, augmenting a dark and brilliant story.

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The quirky nature of this game is the major reason why most fans consider it to be in the same vein as other RPG hits like Earthbound and Undertale.

Seraphic Blue

For those who want to get into a deep and hardcore RPG that’s full to the brim with massive lore, extremely long cutscenes, and a story that feels as epic as a Final Fantasy title, Seraphic Blue should be right up your alley.

The story starts off on a small scale, before evolving into a conflict that’s so massive that the high-stakes plot will leave fans reeling by the end of this adventure.

A Blurred Line

Veterans of the RPG Maker scene should recognize this name in a heartbeat. A Blurred Line is an absolute masterpiece released by Lysander86, which explores the tale of a common man in a futuristic world who’s framed for the murder of the most important man in the world.

The adventure that ensues is easily one of the most well-written tales in gaming, and the fact that The Blurred Line’s sequel hasn’t been released to this day — and probably never will — is an absolute shame.

Star Stealing Prince

A free indie RPG Maker game that is full to the brim with amazing content in the form of a great art style, an excellent story, and enjoyable combat — Star Stealing Prince is an excellent title for any fan of RPG Maker Games.

The snowy backdrop of this title serves up a delectable premise that will keep you hooked all the way to the very end.

Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis

Alter A.I.L.A Genesis is an excellent RPG Maker game that shows just what solo video game developers are all about. Compared to A Blurred Line, Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis has more of a post-apocalyptic vibe.

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The world is truly enthralling to explore, with the combat system being unique enough to keep things interesting for the majority of its lengthy runtime. It certainly helps that the soundtrack in this game is incredible, given the fact that it’s a free game.

The Way

A game that is near-and-dear to the hearts of most RPG Maker veterans who were closely following this series, The Way is an incredible series that explores the tale of Rhue as he tries to find his lost love along the Way.

While the custom systems present in this game certainly deserve credit, what truly separates The Way from most of the RPG Maker games of its time was its incredible story, which went above and beyond the limitations of its system to narrate a tale that is purely incredible in every sense of the word.

Yume Nikki

We simply can’t talk about RPG Maker classics without mentioning the cultural phenomenon that is Yume Nikki. A surreal adventure that lets you delve into the psyche of an introvert, Yume Nikki is easily a must-play for any person even remotely interested in RPG Maker games.

The fact that this title has inspired most of the games on this list and is referenced in modern masterpieces like Undertale should be more than enough to convince you just how much of a gem this game actually is.

During the boom of horror titles made on RPG Maker, there were a ton of games that were released to mixed reception. However, Ib is nothing of the sort, and while it might fall into some of these tropes, the story told in this classic is brilliant in every way, shape, and form.

From the intricately designed puzzles to the brilliant atmosphere of the game, there’s very little in Ib that’s wasteful, making for a brilliant experience through and through.

OFF

While there are many cult classic games made in RPG Maker games, one can argue that none of these has the quality of OFF. Any connoisseur of surreal games should make it their utmost priority to try out OFF at least once.

A turn-based RPG with an absolutely off-the-rails plot, OFF quickly became an indie sensation, with its story, characters, and setting all being praised through the roof for their sheer uniqueness.

OneShot

Most developers are inclined towards making adventure and puzzle games on RPG Maker nowadays, as opposed to full-blown RPGs. OneShot is no exception to this rule, but what makes this title stand a cut above the rest is how brilliantly it executes most of its elements.

The charming narrative of this game is undoubtedly its highlight, and any fan of brilliantly designed indie titles should definitely give this game a shot.

Corpse Party

In modern times, Corpse Party has become one of the most popular titles in the horror game market, with its blend of visual novel design coupled with some truly gory horror being wholly familiar yet unique at the same time.

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However, long-time fans of the series are more than aware of the humble roots of this franchise, with the first game in this series being developed on RPG Tsukūru Dante 98. This one game sparked the emergence of a classic horror franchise that still remains relevant to this day. Corpse Party even has an anime adaptation!

To The Moon

It’s close to impossible to talk about brilliant RPG Maker games without mentioning the emotional rollercoaster that is To The Moon. The game was instantly successful upon its release, and understandably so — To The Moon told one of the most beautiful and melancholic stories ever told in a video game.

Freebird Games absolutely knocked it out of the park with this title, establishing themselves as the masters of emotional narratives with this release.

LISA: The Painful

Before playing LISA: The Painful, you should be well aware of what this game is all about. While the game is certainly hilarious with its offbeat brand of dark humor, make no mistake — LISA: The Painful is one of the most depressing video games ever made.

The story follows Brad, as he tries to atone for his past mistakes; making him one of the most well-written video game characters of all time. The game revolves around a unique post-apocalyptic setting where all the women are seemingly extinct… that is, until Brad finds a little baby girl whom he decides to take care of instead of using her as a way to ensure humanity’s survival. This results in what is easily one of the greatest — and the saddest — video game stories ever told.

Imposter Factory

Imposter Factory is truly a unique experience. This game is brought to us by Freebird Games, who also brought us To The Moon. Yes, that means that this RPG will have a deep story that is bound to leave a lasting impression on you.

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In Imposter Factory, you are invited to a mysterious mansion that, somehow, has a time machine in the bathroom. From there, the story spirals into a complex narrative. On the Steam page for the game, the developer’s aunt even reviewed the game, saying that “this one’s too scary for me…”.

Grimm’s Hollow

Grimm’s Hollow is another wildly popular RPG Maker game, playing you in the role of a girl searching the afterlife for your brother.

Like many other games on our list, Grimm’s Hollow is completely free. With a short and sweet story, there is no reason not to play it!

Eternal Senia

Eternal Senia is a laid-back and relaxing ARPG, focusing on Senia and her sister Magaleta. If these names sound familiar to you, that’s for a good reason. Both of these character names are inspired by Ragnarok Online, as the developer was a fan of the game.

Overall, Eternal Senia is a short and sweet game, with an absolutely beautiful story. As a laid-back game, there are little to no stressful combat situations. It’s described as a relaxing and pleasure-filled experience.

Pokemon Uranium

At this point, we all know Pokemon. Over the years, there have been tons of spin-off and fan-made games, but none hit quite as good as Pokemon Uranium. This RPG Maker Pokemon game takes us to the region of Tandor, with starter choices of Orchynx, Taptorch, and Eletux.

In total, the game introduces over 150 new Pokemon, as well as a new type; Nuclear. Additionally, the game has a Nuzlocke system for those of you who want a challenging playthrough.

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