My Top Eleven BEST RPG's made on RPG Maker (and similar Game Maker engines)

 RPG Maker games tend to have a bad reputation, mostly because the overwhelming majority of them are made by novices who overestimated their skills and forgot to temper their ambitions. But if 90% of all RPG Maker games are crap, that still leaves a 10% worth seeking. These are MY top 11 BEST RPG Maker RPG's.

11- Embric of Wulfhammer's Castle

This game, made with the RPG Maker 2003 engine, is one of those games that simply defy genres. With very little combat to speak of, the game shines by instead focusing on story, exploration, character interactions, and the chance to score different endings. This leads to one hell of a gaming experience, with the added bonus of being a Yuri game. Word to the wise, though: this game deserves an M rating.

10. Legend of Queen Opala II

OK, let me get this out of the way: this is a porn game. There's no two ways about it; the dialogue is suggestive, there are plenty of sex scenes, and there's uncensored nudity. But set that aside, and you've got one hell of a game. There's a Relationship Values system, a Karma meter, loads of characters INCLUDING mutually exclusive ones for that replay value, loads of satisfying side quests, and more! It's honestly a very well done game!

9. Misao

Although not an RPG Maker game (being made on the Wolf RPG Editor program) I'm counting it on this list for the fact that it's still an RPG made with a Game Maker program. Misao is a puzzle horror game that just hits all the right notes: it's creepy, it's suspenseful, and there are twists and turns in the story that will leave you shocked.

8. Yume Nikki

Honestly this is one game that still seriously freaks me the hell out. But if I didn't include it, I'd get shit on by fans of the game and of the genre. Heck, I'm taking a HUGE risk just ranking it so low!

7.  Casia

I won't be surprised to learn that this will be the most obscure game on this list; it doesn't even have a TV Tropes page yet! But, in my opinion, Casia is a game that just does it all RIGHT! LOADS and LOADS of characters to recruit, LOTS to explore, an actually decent plot, it's pretty much an RPG that just hits all the right notes!

6. Homework Salesman

You'd think that a game that had only a single ACTUAL dungeon, one secret character, and a story that's barely there wouldn't make it on this list. But Homework Salesman actually manages to combine the BEST parts of the Atelier series to create a streamlined experience that'll suck away hours and hours of your day! The crafting system in this game is actually REALLY good, and it may be among the best I've ever seen in a Freeware game!

5. Last Scenario

Last Scenario is, frankly, one of the most awe inspiring Freeware games I've ever played. Its story can rival ANYTHING any of the AAA studios can churn out, it features an unforgettable cast of characters, and the Magic system is pretty unique! If anything, this is a case where the limitations of Game Maker programs are a DETRIMENT to the game; the game's graphics and music are its least impressive elements, and the combat system really feels held back. Otherwise, this game is AMAZING!

4. Shattered Hourglass

Shattered Hourglass is one of those games where every little detail just shows how much of a passion project this was for the creator. The game is WAY more complex than it needed to be, featuring a character class system that can best be described as Final Fantasy-lite, with each character having their own classes. The story is also pretty good, and the graphics service, but it's the gameplay where the game really shines through!

3. Hero's Realm

This is THE Freeware RPG to play if you're a fan of pre-FF7 RPG's, just like the creator of the game. Don't worry about the graphics kind of sucking, the music being unoriginal, and the sprites being ripped from Final Fantasy; this is a game where the gameplay makes up for EVERYTHING! THIS is old school JRPG goodness!!!

2. Exit Fate

Exit Fate is pretty much the closest we could have gotten to a new Suikoden game, until the Eiyuden Chronicle franchise was announced. And excepting the magic system, the game plays and looks like an actual, honest to God Suikoden game. Since Suikoden is my all-time favorite RPG franchise, that makes this game a MUST-PLAY for me.

1. The Crooked Man

Let me mince no worse: this isn't just the best RPG made with a Game Maker engine I've ever played, it's one of my all time favorite games EVER. And yes, I DO mean Top Ten; probably Top Five!