Can you customize the battle system?

[Speedwagon]

I had an idea for a game that I wanted to make (and maybe even sell on Steam and GameJolt one day), and I thought that would be good if the battle system didn't look like 'just another RPG maker game'.

The reason why I might choose this software is because I want to make an authentic SNES era looking RPG.

[Caethyril]

Short answer: possible, but apparently a lot of effort (haven't tried, myself).

Longer answer: in theory you'd make one (or more) "battle" maps, to which you'd then add events that process messages, key input, pictures, or whatever you need to build the battle system you have in mind. I don't think there's a way to directly edit RM2k3's battle scene to any extent beyond the options available on the database's Battle Screen tab.

[prpl_mage]

You can edit the graphics, the sound, the placement of enemies and heroes, the ATB bar's style and some other things. But nothing beyond that to give a short answer.

You can't customize the battle system itself in the maker far beyond what is in the maker.
If you want something working differntly then you need to make a custom battle system. It's possible but RM2k3 lacks actual scripting which makes it a tedious task.

[FalseSTOP! (Hunter)]

I hear you there, but one thing that can be adventageous to ensure your game isn't that cliche statement is to break the boundries of what those "other RPG Maker Games" do (and most of them just are released "half-finished").

The game I am developing right now takes inspiration from Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario and Donkey Kong Country 2... So I am learning to take elements from that, and put my own spin on them. I loved the thought of having other allies have specific abilities that other allies don't, allowing you to cross certain boundries and barriers that were once impossible otherwise (like smaller allies can crawl into small spaces that others cannot, or climb walls, etc).

Then, it's a matter of trial and error to see what works and what doesn't. Just remember: do something else that nobody else would do!!

[Adriandel]

rpgmaker 2k3 has so much potential, just gets a little tedious at times