I just bought this and I hate it. I'm so taking this back. For a PS2 it has crappy graphics. Plus it LAGS so bad its not funny. Completly slow. SO before I waste more money is RPGM2 better or just as bad?

Welcome to the RPG Maker Magazine, Gaara! It's always nice to have a new person join.

First of all, I'm sorry that you dislike RPG Maker 3 so much. If you really feel that strongly about it, taking it back is probably a good option for you.

About RPG Maker 2 -
RPG Maker 2's character models aren't as realistic looking as RPG Maker 3's, so that may be a detractor for you.

On the other hand, if you are willing to spend time learning the creation system in that game, you can really do some innovative things. People have come up with Custom Battle Systems, amazing cut scenes, and also a variety of really sweet looking special effects with the customizable Visual Effects Editor it has.

Hey, good luck.
If you do end up getting 2, feel free to post questions. People who have it will try to help if they can.

If you don't like RPGM3 because it doesn't look like Final Fantasy, then I doubt you'll like any RPG Maker. It takes up a lot of power to display areas with such high customizability, so they can't use up a ton of power on graphics.

And like the above person says, if you don't like RPGM3's graphics even though they're realistic, then you probably won't like RPGM2's Lego-lookalike characters, blurry screen refresh, and draw distance of about 30 feet.

Slowdown is a bit of a bummer, but really, it's something you learn to either avoid causing or ignore altogether.

Maybe you should do some research before making any quick decisions. Pull up photos on the internet of the RPGmakers you want to learn more about. RPGmaker 3 is the realest looking RPGmaker on the market right now. The idea is not so much about how it looks. Its about putting your ideas of a story into motion. So others can play your ideas of a story line. If your looking to make the art work your self RPGs 1 and 2 are better. However again, RPGmaker 3 is the only 3d one thats out.

RPGM2 is 3D.

Yeah, But RPGmaker3 is 3D'er. *gives Draygone noogies*

I know your post was a month ago, but I hope this helps.

2 and 3 are the exact opposites of each other.

2 has excellent parameter customization, camera control, a visual effects editor, and script control of items and abilites, but has cutesy, blocky graphics, horrible blur on the field map while moving and mediocre music. It also has a high learning curve, is time consuming, and has a clunky PC menu type interface which does not translate well to the PS2 controller.

3 has almost no parameter customization, no camera control, very limited use of sample visual effects, and no script control of items or abilites (only limited modifications of sample items and abilites), but has mature, realistic graphics that only slow when the CPU usage is high, and also has inspired music. It is relatively easy to use, is much less time consuming to create with (in general), and has an inuitive console controller interface.

As a big fan of 2, I was VERY dissapointed in 3 when I first got it. Now, 3 is clearly my favorite over both 1 and 2.

The biggest problem with 3 is how slow the battles run. If you hope to have a lot of random battles, 3 is definitely worse then 2, but graphically it is MUCH better.

2 is best suited to the programmer who wants control of a program and 3 is best suited to the writer who wants ease of expression.

I disagree. While RPGM3's music is a bit higher quality, RPGM2 seems like it has a larger variety of tunes (and certainly more tunes in general), and its tunes are more memorable. How many of RPGM3's tunes can you hum to?

Yeah rpgm2's music is really good. i still play it to hear the music

We’ll have to agree to disagree. I respect your opinions, but here is why I feel the way I do.

I think that the positive aspects of 2’s music is that 2 has a large amount of tunes and the ability to modify pitch, tempo, etc., which is a pretty nice feature (especially if you don’t like the way a tune sounds out of the box).

Unfortunately, I think that 2 has a low VARIETY of music. Most of the music sounds the same to me. Also it lacks the timbre of 3. With 3, there is clear distinction between the vocals, the keys, the bassline, and the percussion. I don’t really find this in 2.

I think that 2 has a large amount of music to serve as the background so as NOT TO DISTRACT you, whereas I think that 3 has a large amount of theme quality music so as to ATTRACT your attention. If anything, 2’s music is more melodic, because it cannot handle the depth of layers that 3 can, thus a single melody is all there really is, and that is why it is more “tunefulâ€

RPGM1 and 3 do have the advantage of themes, I'll give you that. But RPGM2 does have a large variety of tunes. A song for every occasion. And, in many intances, more than one song for certain occasions. That's what I like about it.

But I'm arguing about an RPGM I'm not even using right now. I'm currently using RPGM1, and wishing it had just one more battle theme. Could also use an extra villainous theme.

Are you saying for RPGM1 that you already used up the battle and villainous themes or you don't like the ones they have?

Its very easy to use up all of rpgm1's music.

RPGM1 only has 35 tracks:

3 battle themes (two boss-like and one very regular)
2 castle themes (one is evil-ish, one is royal)
3 dungeon themes (creepy, vocanic-sounding, and otherworldy)
2 ending themes (one happy, other more noble-sounding)
1 Forest track (eerie)
4 Field themes (the first two use similar themes with the second being calmer, as do the second two with the second being sadder)
4 Home themes (all four rather light-hearted)
4 Opening themes (first two like each other, as are the second two, each case the second being calmer)
1 Tower theme
6 Town themes (city, peaceful, sad, desert-sounding, annoying church organ, party)
3 Shop themes (goofy, generic shop music, upbeat)
2 Epilogue themes (mysterious, and whatever that word is for long discussion about what is going on)

Obviously, it isn't necessary to use them as they're named, but even then you're kinda limited.

None of the non-battle ones sound good as battle themes. With the possible exception of that otherworldy dungeon theme, but only if it's sped up (which you can't do with the battle system), otherwise it's annoying as a battle theme, IMO.

Well I do like your description of the themes. It has been awhile since I last had RPGM1 in but your descriptions seem about right. I guess when I was looking at the game, I was willing to use the evil castle theme and dungeon themes in battle, in addition to the battle themes, but I never really tested them out.

Ironicially, probably my least favorite theme in RPGM3 is the standard battle theme which you are forced to listen to, unless your are doing event battles.

Maybe it is the battle theme and not the speed of play that causes everyone to avoid using random battles in RPGM3.

I also may be confusing the tower theme with either the castle or dungeon themes.

How are you describing the theme that sounds like a baroque harsichord. I think but I'm not sure that it is a shop theme.

Why do you think the organ theme is annoying? I really wish it was in minor key, but I would still contemplate using it in an appropriate heroic type battle, maybe. I repeat, maybe.

First, don't double-post. Unless your post is like 12 hours old or something, in which case it's okay since odds are most people have already seen the old post and this site doesn't mention when you edit posts. But making a new post sooner than that is for the most part unnecessary.

Anyway, that church theme is loud and high-pitched. That's why it's annoying. Also, I have no idea what a "baroque harsichord" is.

The thing about using non-battle songs for battles, for me at least, is that battle themes generally need to be fast-paced and a bit on the loud side. You know, a frantic theme to match the frantic fighting. Unless it's like a deadly you're-gonna-lose battle, in which case that evil-ish castle theme works. The tower theme almost works, but it's kinda quiet, and I'm using it for a villain theme anyway.

I'm pretty sure that it's RPGM3 slow battle system that people have a problem with. My guess, anyway. It would be nice if you could choose the battle theme, but it isn't that big a deal.

Are you saying that instead of double posting I should edit my previous post if I have forgot to mention something?

OK, which theme did you describe for the baroque harpsichord?

I'm almost entirely joking about the random battles because I know it's the speed that frustrates everyone, but I bet there is some influence in a certain dungeon for example, to have music that is different from standard battles. That is at least enough motivation to turn all the battles for that dungeon into events. I can live with the standard battle theme, but I would really like the option to designate my own choice for the random battles. In my opinion this is one of the least forgivable omissions from RPGM3.

No really, I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't even know there was a typo.

Oh. A hapsichord is a stringed keyboard instrument popular in the baroque era of classical music. One of the pieces sounds similar both to the sound quality (timbre) of a hapsicrord and melodic style of the baroque era (which is difficult to describe). An example, would be the use of a trill which is very quickly alternating between two notes on the keyboard that are next to each other (c, c#, c, c#, c, c#, c) or the motif of playing a specific note, following it by a variety of notes but always alternating back to the specific note (c, d,c g, c, f#, c, a, c). I think it might be one of the shop songs but I'm not sure. I'll check it when I get the chance.