Ix: You describe your game as a "Realistic Fantasy." What does that mean, and what will that mean for your players?

With the recent release of RPG Maker 2, many wannabe game makers are taking on the task of creating their ultimate masterpieces. I had the opportunity to chat with one of these game makers and pick his brain a bit about what he is attempting with the new system. His name is Josh Schwartzkopf but many people know him as merely "Velcro". And over a lengthy conversation on AOL Instant Messenger, this interviewer had the chance to find out what is in the works for Velcro.

Fayorei: What games have you made for RPG Maker? Could you give a
brief description of each?

Something Stupid IX is one of the various games submitted by developers in the RPG Maker community for RPG Maker Magazine's "Make the Craziest RPG" Contest.

"Once upon a time...is a stupid way to start a story..."

Sushi Samurai GO!! is the telling of a quite strange tale of two people named Sushi and Pudding who quest to stop Evil Legolas and his master, Maester Biff from taking over the world. Or should I say crazy tale? If you thought Alice in Wonderland was trippy, then let me tell you that you've seen nothin' yet.

Animal Adventure, I've heard, is the tale of a sheep and a pig who get separated when escaping from an evil farmer. Though apart, they go after their friend horse who got left behind on the farm. That's what I've heard, and that's all I can say about this game, I'm afraid.

Mini Game RPG is the product of Shawn Forbes, a well known figure in the RPG Maker community. Shawn is known for his above-average creations on RPGM, and MiniGame RPG is no exception to the rule.

Hi everyone.

Ixion asked me if I wanted to do a review for him, so..here I am! Since I got to pick which game I review here, I decided to go with Xisthruous' The Spiteful Dead. Many of you may have not seen Xisthruos around..or even heard of him. Well regardless of how well-known he is or not, he has made a great game.

Dave Carter. By some considered to be the god of RPG Maker. Dave has completely shattered the "limits" of RPG Maker time and time again with his astonishing platform games. Fufu the Acid Trip bunny became the first platform game released with RPG Maker, proving that the system was not limited to your run of the mill RPG games. (Dave's game even inspired me to try to create a non-RPG game and helped me to devise a system for a party-type genre of games.) And then, when the approach of RPG Maker 2 was nearing, Valkysas announced the RPG Maker Pavilion's final RPGM contest. Out of nowhere, Dave released "Nano Bot." The game became another instant classic (not to mention being the Game of the Month at the Mag Dec.-Jan.) And now, with RPGM2 finally making its debut on US shores, Dave has once again put his creative genius to work, and has released his first demo of "SD Paradise." Here are Dave's comments on the game:

"The platform game is "Klonoa" style rather than the typical PS2 Crash Bandicoot/Jak and Daxter style.

Story: You star as Sid Grisly. An orange bear that must fulfill his destiny by saving a tropical island from a volcano. You must perform the legendary Ket-Su-Ken katta atop the volcano to summon the Red Phoenix. Once summoned, the Red Phoenix will grant a wish to spare the island from a being pure of heart. It's like Dr.Slump meets Mario Sunshine."

And finally, I would like to say I am honored to have SD Paradise as my first Review of the New year, and my first review of any RPGM2 game. On with the show!

Dave Carter has just raised the bar for RPG Maker 2. Not only did he make a near-carbon copy of a classic puzzle game (Crystal Castles) in his first release, but he also enhanced his platforming engine first seen in Fu-Fu The Acid-Trip Bunny! The result is SD Paradise, a campy Platform/RPG where you take on the role of Sid Grisly, local souvenir dealer. Because of the predestined eruption of Mt. Volcanon, Sid is recruited to stop it by any means necessary.