A classic RPG Maker engine, the same one used to create Pokémon Uranium, is completely free on Steam this week

GamesRPGA classic RPG Maker engine, the same one used to create Pokémon Uranium, is completely free on Steam this weekWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Gotha Gotcha Games)

RPG Maker XP.

There was a time in my early teenagehood where I was so entrenched in anime and JRPG brain rot that I convinced myself I was talented enough to make a game all of my own. That never happened, of course, but the one thing I do remember from that time was how much fun I had poking around in RPG Maker. It’s a great little bit of softwarethat’s birthed some bangerslike Corpse Party, To the Moon and Mad Father. And right now, one of its older versions is totally free on Steam.

RPG Maker XP, the fourth iteration of the toolset, is free to nab until February 19 at 10 AM PST. The deal is on as part of theRPG Maker Festival 2024and “RPG Maker Day” on February 15, which celebrates the engine and a bunch of neat games that have come out of it.

Going back even further to some old-but-golds,RPG Maker VX Aceis a measly $6.99 / £5.85, which offers a higher framerate than XP and has a ton of available plugins, whileRPG Maker 2003—which is still a solid recommendation for more of a retro feel—is only $1.99 / £1.67 during the sale.

If you’re more of a player than a developer, then there’s also an abundance of RPG Maker creations that are going for cheap right now. The aforementionedTo the Moonis 80% off, and fellow popular RPG Maker creationIbis 30% down right now. Teenage me is already loading up my Steam cart as we speak.

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