I am looking for a engine to build an adventure I have in mind... I did some research and excluding from the multitude of JRPG ones I've narrowed it down to:
-DungeonCraft http://uaf.sourceforge.net/
-Explore RPG http://www.explore-rpg.com/ (not free)
-Runesword 2 http://www.runesword.com/rs2.html
-IsoWorld http://www.spritec.com/legacy/isoworld.html
-Hephaestus http://markdamonhughes.com/Hephaestus/index.php
Have you got any experience designing/playing adventures made with these? What are the disadvantages of each?
I have started with DungeonCraft (made a map with talking NPCs and encounters) and I think it's fine and allows me to do what I want (probably extend skill list using Special Item ownership checks) but people complain that the combat AI is still faulty and won't be fixed for a while.
Runesword was sucky to play and had quite limited editor last time I tried it, though I can't remember if that was version 1 or 2.
Isoworld was limited to I think 3 attributes and no skills last time I tested it and had limited interactions, even if it looks great. There is a scripting language for it but I think it would be a lot of work modifying it for my purposes. Not freeware, no community that I can see.
Hepahaestus looks too ugly, and I don't want to make my own art.
Any I missed? Would I just be better off sticking to the NWN toolset?
My requirements:
-mid range PC
-preferably 2D first person view or isometric exploration (Gold Box/Arkania)
-fairly extensive default character system, D&D 2nd ed would be the minimum
-some scripting ability to overcome hard-coding
-controllable party in combat (4+)
-easy map design, tilesets
-supports reading a fair amount of text (descriptions, dialog)
-limited branching conversation support
-'overland'/traveling interface, allowing random encounters that interrupt travel between areas
-hex/grid combat, turn-based
-support, forums etc
-extensive art resources (generic fantasy, my setting is Lankhmar)
-magic/spells don't matter since it's a low/zero magic adventure
-DungeonCraft http://uaf.sourceforge.net/
-Explore RPG http://www.explore-rpg.com/ (not free)
-Runesword 2 http://www.runesword.com/rs2.html
-IsoWorld http://www.spritec.com/legacy/isoworld.html
-Hephaestus http://markdamonhughes.com/Hephaestus/index.php
Have you got any experience designing/playing adventures made with these? What are the disadvantages of each?
I have started with DungeonCraft (made a map with talking NPCs and encounters) and I think it's fine and allows me to do what I want (probably extend skill list using Special Item ownership checks) but people complain that the combat AI is still faulty and won't be fixed for a while.
Runesword was sucky to play and had quite limited editor last time I tried it, though I can't remember if that was version 1 or 2.
Isoworld was limited to I think 3 attributes and no skills last time I tested it and had limited interactions, even if it looks great. There is a scripting language for it but I think it would be a lot of work modifying it for my purposes. Not freeware, no community that I can see.
Hepahaestus looks too ugly, and I don't want to make my own art.
Any I missed? Would I just be better off sticking to the NWN toolset?
My requirements:
-mid range PC
-preferably 2D first person view or isometric exploration (Gold Box/Arkania)
-fairly extensive default character system, D&D 2nd ed would be the minimum
-some scripting ability to overcome hard-coding
-controllable party in combat (4+)
-easy map design, tilesets
-supports reading a fair amount of text (descriptions, dialog)
-limited branching conversation support
-'overland'/traveling interface, allowing random encounters that interrupt travel between areas
-hex/grid combat, turn-based
-support, forums etc
-extensive art resources (generic fantasy, my setting is Lankhmar)
-magic/spells don't matter since it's a low/zero magic adventure