Now, more than 25 years on, there’s a wealth of creepy games made with various versions of RPG Maker floating around out there - many of which have had lasting influence on the world of horror gaming in particular, as well as the world of gameplay development more generally. A burgeoning community of developers making games intended to unsettle, frighten, and terrify players emerged shortly thereafter, each using the engine in unique ways that pushed and pulled at their players - at the things that scare us the most. The very first version of RPG Maker as we know it today was released in 1992 - and although it was geared towards making turn-based RPG games rendered in pixelated graphics, developers quickly realized its potential for other genres and styles when used in a way that thought outside the proverbial box. The paired-down graphics of the engine make good writing an absolute necessity for a successful game, so when developers get RPG Maker horror games right, they really get them right. But when it comes to horror games, I will always, always think that less is more - which is why I am so frequently taken by creepy games made with RPG Maker. Previously: The Best Horror Video Games, March 2016.ĭon’t get me wrong: I enjoy a big budget video game title with crisp, realistically rendered graphics as much as the next gal.

Mario in animatronic horror steam