woootbm's YT channel: hard critiques on RPG Maker games

[woootbm]

Hey all!

After thinking about this for a long time, I finally bit the bullet and made a YouTube channel to make video reviews! My goal is to be a source of direct, hard-hitting critiques for RPG Maker games. No kiddie gloves here, we're going through the fire and flames, baby!

To start off we'll specifically be reviewing commercial games. We're not gonna rain on anyone's parade who's just doing this casually. The idea is that if you expect people to pay money for your product, you should also expect people to want to get their money's worth; consumers are fickle!

In this first episode, we tackle a game that epitomizes the dreaded RPG Maker stigma: Ballad of Radolf.


I apologize that the game audio is too high in the video. I'll have to adjust it manually with Windows mixer next time

Format:

• The reviewers are me (woootbm) and my buddy Jabroni Tony (not on these forums).
• Examine store page and discuss the game at large and how it is presented
  • Dig around reviews and any auxiliary posts to analyze the "story" of this game's existence
• Play the game for ~1 hour (this might get cut short)
  • Commentary during gameplay discussing shortcomings and offering fixes or suggestions
• Review the game using 5 categories with an out-of-ten system and give it a final grade

Possible questions:

Are you guys ***holes?

Yes.

What makes you guys the authority on game dev?

The internet.

Will you review my commercial/non-commercial game?

Yes, but you should expect us to be harsh. Like, if you go in with an attitude that you're gonna blow us away you're gonna have a bad time. The point is to nitpick games to death so dev's have something to fix or improve.

How often do you plan to post?

Ideally once a week. More realistically once every two weeks or once a month. Editing takes a lot of time!

 

[SGHarlekin]

Welcome to the club.

Edit: Kudos for enduring that game for an hour. Holy hell. Say, how would one submit their games to you? I kinda wanna submit my first game for the sport.

 

[woootbm]

Well, for the moment I think just sending a forum message with a download link or key will work. I am still weighing options on next games to sort of cut our teeth on and prove our worth. Although I know Tony is excited at the prospect of dev's being angry at him, heh. Either way, the ultimate goal is getting submissions so we're happy to get them!

Although I wonder if a first game is the best option? Like to learn from? I know I did the same thing to AM-DOL somewhat recently but that's because I don't have anything else in a presentable state.

 

[SGHarlekin]

First game as in first commercially released game. It's still using mostly rtp too. I did have some knowledge of RM of course. It's even on steam.

I won't be mad, so long as you guys don't go full nikorasu on me. (Yeah, he covered my game too.)
I'm quite aware of it not being any kind of masterpiece, but I think it's at least worth it's asking price. I got it covered by quite a bit of people already, so as I said, I would submit it just for the sport and to see what you'd do with it.

I suppose you can just let me know via DMs if/when you wanna cover it, so I'll hand you over a key. Naturally I wouldn't just want to send a key on a "maybe".

 

[RCXGaming]

At least you're modest. The last thing I need is someone yelling and getting angry over a dumb RPG Maker game.

I'll definitely be tuning into these every now and then, primarily because seeing hot takes is slowly becoming a favorite past-time of mine.

... Holy hell, I still can't believe someone tried to sell that one game you played for three dollars. I'd be embarassed to show that off as a joke in the meme thread here, let alone putting it on Steam.

EDIT: Oh and he takes down negative comments about his game too! Very cool.

 

[woootbm]

I won't be mad, so long as you guys don't go full [redacted] on me. (Yeah, he covered my game too.)

Shhhhh... also I saw that video and it's definitely one of the reasons (the other reasons being all of his other videos) that I don't want to mention him

I'm quite aware of it not being any kind of masterpiece, but I think it's at least worth it's asking price.

It's the same price as Radolf! Immediate comparison!

I suppose you can just let me know via DMs if/when you wanna cover it, so I'll hand you over a key. Naturally I wouldn't just want to send a key on a "maybe".

So I spoke to Tony and he got pretty hyped. Keep in mind he's kind of a hater, though, haha. So he's up for jumping on yours for the next one!

I assume this is Tiqee? I see there's also a demo if you want us to go that route. But since it's a request I'll go with whatever version we're presented with.

At least you're modest. The last thing I need is someone yelling and getting angry over a dumb RPG Maker game.

Well, I'm no d7. That guy has the patience of a saint! If a game gets frustrating enough I might get mad at some point

I'll definitely be tuning into these every now and then, primarily because seeing hot takes is slowly becoming a favorite past-time of mine.

Woooo you makin' me blush over here!

 

[SGHarlekin]

I'm fine with providing a key. And deep down we're all haters. Every game has some parts where we go like"this is effing stupid". And ye, it's tiqee. I wish I could say it Origins, but that's still not ready for the public.

I'll send you a key via dms then.

I immediatly knew who you were talking about xD

 

[TheAM-Dol]

Will watch when I get home! Possibly subscribe!
Sorry for putting my ego into, but now I must know since you watch my own videos... How much have I influenced the way you produce the videos?

 

[HexMozart88]

Oof. I appreciate the honest approach, but I don't think I can handle that just yet, LOL.

 

[ScorchedGround]

Ballad of Radolf truly is one of the games ever.

I especially enjoyed walking through the same corridor for 20 minutes straight while fighting Imp Lv5's.

One positive thing I have to say though; He created a truly immersive sailing experience by covering over 70% of the map in water where nothing happens, just like in the real world.

 

[woootbm]

Will watch when I get home! Possibly subscribe!
Sorry for putting my ego into, but now I must know since you watch my own videos... How much have I influenced the way you produce the videos?

Wooo!

Well, you were the original inspiration those months back when you did the RPG Maker stigma video. We kinda wanted to make the opposite video! There's definitely a lot of similarities with the structure of checking the store page, the timer (although we don't worry about the timer), and rating. I definitely got a kick when you did the IGMC videos. Such pain and suffering, haha! Reminded me of something like RedLetterMedia, if you've ever seen them old boys.

 

[woootbm]

A new episode is out with @SGHarlekin 's game! Oh, boy!

 

[SGHarlekin]

Just finished watching it. I already posted my full comment on the video, so I'm not gonna paste it over here and just say nice video! I enjoyed watching it.

 

[RCXGaming]

A new episode is out with @SGHarlekin 's game! Oh, boy!

The two stooges strike again! You and Tony bounce off each other really well - he helps keep the commentary on track, I've noticed.

I don't think it's harsh to compare RPG Maker games to real industry-level games - especially if they're being put out on Steam or another space where games are actually being sold for money.

So, you know, keep up the good work, fellas.

 

[lianderson]

Review everything!

Praise be to the game make.

 

[TheAM-Dol]

I watched it while I was at work! I really enjoy your videos, so keep making them. (I didn't leave a comment yet because I have to use a work computer with a separate google account on it)

Maybe you should do @lianderson 's game next, and maybe be more fair towards his game than I was

edit:
left a comment on the video now, and also made that like button squirt.

 

[woootbm]

Maybe you should do @lianderson 's game next, and maybe be more fair towards his game than I was

Well, that's up to him to submit it. I think I remember that game has a slow beginning? So that might hurt him if the first hour has no gameplay.

I haven't mentioned this yet, but we will likely specifically hit games that have a good amount of gameplay/combat. Games that are pure story/walking simulators or basic scavenger hunts won't appeal to us.

Edit: @lianderson I talked with tony. We’ll keep an open mind. If you want to give us a key we can do your game. But just be aware we are only going to give it about an hour. So if you think that's enough time to get a feel for the game then we’ll do it.

 

[alice_gristle]

An hour on Wooden Ocean? Nah

 

[woootbm]

A new episode again! Today we learn about narrative disconnect and what not to do when making a demo:


Just FYI we might start to do once every two weeks now. For me, personally, I need to spend more time making my own jabroni game

 

[RCXGaming]

A new episode again! Today we learn about narrative disconnect and what not to do when making a demo:


Just FYI we might start to do once every two weeks now. For me, personally, I need to spend more time making my own jabroni game

So I legit thought going in that the title of this episode was just clickbait for the sake of getting the viewer's attention. So imagine my shock when I see you're literally beating the "aggro" out of civilians with brass knuckles and "shock therapy".

Can't get any more totalitarian cop than that, even if they try to hide it behind the fact you're fighting their "aggression" in the form of Aekashic style battler monsters.

Game itself is pretty doodoo too - the enemy pathing is super wonky and you're kinda locked into being forced to fight everyone. I got tired just watching you do this in 15 minute intervals.

I knew things were going to get bad when I saw the first enemy took like, 4 hits to kill and then you immediately got thrown into a fight with three of them.