ALEX - A Two Days Collaborative Game

 

This is the story of RTP Hero Alex, sucked into a multi-dimensional portal and forced to face his inner demons. Alex makes his way through numerous worlds and meets various eccentric characters, including chickens, Jawa, demons, cultists, and the shape of his own soul.

 

This was a game made by around 30 people at the old Gaming World forums. Participants were each asked to make a small section in 2 days. The sections were then combined into one full and nonsensical game.

 

 

Alex is a difficult game to define, since it includes contributions from many different developers, and it's also a very varied game: there are cutscenes, puns, minigames, riddles, puzzles. The quality also may vary, some are impressive, others mediocre, but overall it's an impressive collection that's even overshadowed by its sequels.

Download Link

Mirror Link

Rpgmaker.net 

Rmarchiv.de 

Random Fact: for this re-release, the ability to skip maps was added. Simply press "9" whenever you have control of Alex. It's not possible to skip non-interactive maps. In addition, the executable was updated to the latest official RPG Maker 2003 release. 

 

 

Random Fact: if I had to choose a single game to represent this blog, well this is the game! It's a homage to Rpgmaker itself, and all the adventures created by different developers.

This is a nonsensical game that despite the varied quality of the various parts, has no terribly annoying or horrible and broken sections. Some parts taken separately are excellents, others good an some meh, considering the collaborative part and the short time, making a sort of sum of all the ratings of the different parts and considering the fun and humor of some of them I would say that this is a good linear and strange adventure. See tomorrow for its sequel! 

Villain Rpg by Trozz

 

Join Brahms and his trio of miscreants as they loot places clean, instigate lots of combat, and cause general mischief. Some towns are too poor or heavily guarded to be good targets while others will serve as stepping stones for your grand plot. Plenty of dungeons to dive into or ignore. Menace a rival party of heroes or explore the depth of secrets hiding below and above. Plenty of other games are parodied and nothing is really taken too seriously. 

 

Villain Rpg is an open world rpg where we play as... Villains! Starting with a trio of bad guys, the game is about growing in power and face the heroes. Expect lots of adventures and quests, classic rpgmaker battles, humor, stealth sections and minigames including duels in real-time. The game is full of content for sure, and there is the freedom to travel around the game world without constraints. The game has two difficulty settings.

Download Link

Itch.io

Rpgmaker.net

Rmarchiv.de  

 

Random Fact: since there are 20 playable character, there is a handy recruitment map that can guide the player to collect them all. See it here: World map with character recruitment markers

Final Verdict: Yes, it's a funny game, yes there is a lot content and much to do, it takes your hand but only until a certain point, after that you're on your own (meaning that you have to travel and explore). But if you like old styled rm2k games it's fun, if you also like humor, it will be extremely fun! It's a big, cool game and I've still to explore every corner of it, but I'm really willing to do so! 

X-Men Untitled by BongHenry

Beast, the blue feral X-man discovers that the X-mansion is under attack: thus begins his adventure to find and recruit the other X-Men around the world and save Professor X from Magneto's evil clutches.In fact with the help of Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Gambit, Colossus, Iceman and Professor X he will have to face various supercriminals before facing Magneto.

The game begins immediately after a presentation with no instructions, even if as expected you've to use the classic keys: arrows to move, Z to attack, X or Esc to open the menu. The menu lets us switch character, each one with his or her own health bar. The inventory is shared so when we select one character we may press Z to select e control it, or Esc to open the menu and equip gear and use consumables and healing items to that particular party member. Please remember that IF a single party member dies it's game over, no matter if all the others are unharmed! 

 

The game includes minigames (for example when Cyclops has to shield the X-mansion destroying the items thrown by Magneto), puzzles (like levers and switches you have to activate shooting at them) and boss battles that require some thinking (for example Mystique takes damage ONLY when in her (blue) form OR when she has the same form of your character, otherwise she's invulnerable).

 

Download Link

Rmarchiv.de

Rpgmaker.net 

 

Game Guide 

Youtube Playthrough

 

Random Fact: the game has also some odd things, some good like the references to the developer's other Rpgmaker game about Lord of the Rings (a girl will try to sell you the book, and there are also televisions that display Gollum's face!) and some just weird like a plethora of different animals attacking the X-men in the various levels, like goats and squirrells! (I'm ok with fighting snakes and wolves besides zombies and mutant ninjas... but squirrels? Seriously?). 

 

 

Final Verdict: X-men; untitled is a game that has an interesting concept and some good ideas, like the minigames and some puzzle elements that are cleverly implemented, unfortunately the battle system, due to Rpgmaker 2000 bad AI and limitations, is a bit of a chore. Pity, good idea but as usual rpgmaker proves to be a game better suited for jrpgs or adventure games (usually not even the horror chase sections are good due to the limits of the engine and Ai, so you can imagine how bad can be an arcade fighting game), maybe it would have been better with higher damage and/or less health for both enemies and playable characters, I would have not minded a more lethal experience if this also meant shorter battles, because as it is there is really no use to fight random enemies, it's just a waste of time. At least the healing spots are placed well, but I'd have not minded also finding some mid-level save points, even if it's true that levels aren't that long.

Psycho Platoon - サイコ・プラトーン & Psycho Platoon Final - サイコ・プラトーン完結編 by Bokkyguy (japanese)

The protagonist is Hiromi is a meek girl who can't adapt to office life. A series of murders begin to occur around the protagonist and her friends, who are far from normal, and the situation escalates into a major case. In the meantime a police detective starts investigating on the murder cases and will cross paths with Hiromi and his strange friends, that include a cross-dressing character in a race queen costume armed with an umbrella, a boy obsessed with voyeurism, an old man, and a psychic pyromancer.

 

In the beginning, the story progresses comically with a mix of quirky characters, but the atmosphere of the game changes as the truth is revealed. 

 

WARNING: the game includes sensitive themes like suicide, sex, violence and death. 

 

 

Psycho Platoon & Psycho Platoon Final is basically single adventure in two episodes made by Kazuyoshi Hashimoto aka Bokkyguy. The first game in fact will end in media res, while the second part has various possible endings that may be positive or negative for the protagonist and his friends. The game is in fact pretty linear, except for the later parts of the second episode that will determine the epilogue. This is basically a visual novel with the occasional battle, but there are no optional encounters, no levels nor equipment, battles are fixed and characters are upgraded automatically after some important events.

Despite this semplicity, the game is absolutely incredible from the visual aspect, since it uses 100% custom made assets, and has a peculiar anime style that goes from humorous scenes to dramatic and even tragic situations. 

 

Download Link (PP)

Mirror Link (PP)

Rmarchiv.de 

Official Site (defunct, via Waybackmachine)

 

Youtube Playthrough 

 

Random Fact: while the protagonist is Hiromi , the game also include different scenes in which the playable character is the middle age detective and his assistant that are investigating on the murder cases. These parts also includes different party members and battles against different enemies. This happens in both games, however most battles aren't to the death, and are just clashes to set matters straight: for example the detective will have to fight a cleaning lady to access a floor she just cleaned and continue the investigation. 

 

 

 

 

 

The second part of the Psycho Platoon follows the events after the "Pervert Tournament" and the search from a place called Paradise. However, even after defeating a moyor opponent, the murderer is still free and Hiromi and his group of friends will face even more dangerous challenges and tragic situations.

 

The game plays basically like the first one, the only difference is that the playable characters gets some upgrades, obtaining more special moves while the rest of their characteristica, like the hitpoints, remain the same. The game is quite more serious in tone than the previous one and has more than one possible ending.

Download Link (PPF)

Mirror Link (PPF)

Rmarchiv.de 

Official Site (defunct, via Waybackmachine)

 

Youtube Playthrough 

 

Random Fact: some endings of the game tie to another game that's also in two parts, called Bikini Smoker - ビキニスモーカー , another adventures a different cast, that was realized before by the developer. Some party members of that game in fact appear in the Psycho Platoon series as Npcs, like two other characters from another game,  Armored Knights - 機甲騎士団. In an optional section that takes place in a sort of "developer room" it's possible to play an extra battle encounter with these two characters.

 

 

Final Verdict: An excellent short series with a peculiar unique story, really complex characters and excellent custom made assets. Battles are more time-wasters that really enjoyable, but the effects, sprites and animations are worth watching them, luckily they are also pretty easy and won't take much time. The focus of the game is the story, a unique blend of comedy and tragedy. 

The Genesis Project - Phase 2: Resurrection by Christophomicus

 

One year has passed since Suzaku, warlord of the Kalashi alien race, was bested in combat by Vernandos Luce and his team of three. Since the death of the evil being, the galaxy has returned to peace, and life to a vague form of normality. The Tandrum Generators, the structures responsible for launching the mineral Tandrum - the Kalashi's only weakness - into space are still operational.

 

However the Tandrum Generators, for all their worth, have proven disadvantageous to humans; people are becoming infected with Tandrum themselves, and suffering disastrous side effects ranging from lucid, controllable dreams to fatalities. And to make matters worse, the Kalashi are once again on the rise, seemingly now unaffected by the Tandrum. All that stands in their way is a single young man, infected with Tandrum, suffering from these very dreams: Tarin Overshore, our protagonist, has absolutely no idea of the journey that awaits him.

 

 

The Genesis Project - Phase 2 or Gens 2 is another memorable sci-fi adventure among different planets.

Like the previous adventure, this is another story driven with battles and many memorable cutscenes, and includes the return of some characters from the original cast.

 

Download Link 

Mirror Link

Rmarchiv.de 

 

Random Fact: there is an extra title screen included that uses the same style of the one used in the first game. It wasn't removed, still it was changed by one that's less stylized.

 

 

Final Verdict: an improvement over the first game, unfortunately this wasn't completed too and it's really a pity considering how rich of content, details and memorable characters this game is. Also, the music and cutscenes are awesome like in the first, if not more. 

The Genesis Project - Phase 1: Imperfection by Christophomicus

 

In an alternate universe, a war-torn galaxy is caught in the middle of an inter-galactic war, spanning both time and space. The protagonist, Ashanti Kasou, is a member of the Galactic Marine Corps, a force dedicated to wiping out the Kalashi, an evil alien race from beyond the stars. When his past is shattered in a stunning attack by the Kalashi, Ashanti is left with little left to do but swear one vow to himself: that he will completely and utterly obliterate the Kalashi.

 

Naturally, the task is too big for one man. Crash landing on the planet Daskat, Ashanti sets out on a journey to find allies. Three will join him in his quest: Hanal the elemental mage, Luce the legendary scoundrel mercenary and the mysterious military leader known as Kryon.

The Genesis Project, or Gens 1, is the first part of a saga that unfortunately was never completed. Anyway the demo is a story driven sci-fi adventure that covers the 80% of the plot, and the game features a non-linear storyline that mainly was about visiting four different planets in any order, with some others extra optional locations.

 

The game won the 2006 Misao award for Best Futuristic Game.

Rmarchiv.de (fixed version)

Download Link 

Mirror Link 

 

Random Fact: the original version seems to be bugged in the first area. I somehow fixed to make it playable but I didn't check if there are other errors. Anyway there are some savegames included if you want check more game areas. Also note that in this very first area you can play minigames like Pacman and Asteroid... but they are bugged too. Yes this demo is a little buggy but if you know how to use Rpgmaker 2003 you will be able to fix most issues.

 

 

Final Verdict: despite the bugs I absolutely loved this game, it has an unique setting, memorable characters, especially Luce and Kryon. Music and cutscenes were also excellent, anyway if you want a more stable experience, play the sequel.

Romancing Walker by FLARE

 

Romancing Walker is a romantic RPG that follows the story of Ryle, a young man looking for his purpose. Leaving on a journey of self-discovery, Ryle eventually uncovers not only the secret of his past, but one of world-shattering importance. Joining Ryle in his travels are a bevy of lovely ladies who he may choose to romance and bond with through interactions within the story.

 

Romancing Walker was made in Rpgmaker 2000 and utilizes hand-drawn anime sequences in battle, as well as pictures during important cut-scenes. The biggest draw of the game, however, is the dating simulation which allows you to bond with the other party members. The choices you make during certain scenes will either draw them closer or push them away. 

 

While the game does suffer from 'Engrish' and bad grammar in some parts, it is considered a classic and one of the few games of its time that is complete, with a decent epic tale, interesting characters and interaction between your party. Add in the back-then great graphics in and out of battle and you have a game that is well-remembered as one of the best.  

Download Link

Rpgmaker.net

Rmarchiv.de

 

lparchive.org

TvTropes 

 

Random Fact: this game, created by Flare with Rpgmaker 2000 was made available originally in japanese only, and later translated into English by rm2Kfanboy. It's a sequel to Dragon Valkyrie, another game created by FLARE that has been lost to time and for being on a rare platform, RPG Maker 3 for the PS2.

 

Final Verdict: what do you get when you mix an RPG with a dating sim, bad spelling, bad stereotypes and all of the Anime? This game. There are still a ton of trashy things in there, which will hopefully make us laugh or shake our heads, in any case a must play for every Rpgmaker jrpg player. Old classic game with a generic plot that, despite this, is still enjoyable today as it was well designed and combined some innovative features (like the dating part) with a typical jrpg gameplay. The translation doesn't help much to improve the game, still this is a unique take on the jrpg genre, with lots of content for hours of fun.