RPG Maker MZ review

RPG Maker MZ is narrow by design, and that is its strength. It is built for 2D role-playing games: you paint tile maps on four layers, set up NPCs, chests and puzzles through menu-driven events with no programming knowledge required, and define characters, skills and enemies in a central database. MZ adds a Time Progress battle system next to front and side view battles, a Character Generator and the largest bundled asset library in the series, including 48 background music tracks and 345 sound effects. JavaScript plugins and Effekseer particles extend it further. It costs $79.99 once on Steam. The limits follow from the focus: it does not suit other genres, its official output formats are Windows, macOS and web browsers, so phones need extra wrapping, and there is no free plan to try it first.

Who it is for

Hobbyists and writers who want to build a classic 2D RPG without programming.

Price

$79.99 one-time purchase on Steam.

Buy RPG Maker MZ $79.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Tile-based map editor with four map layers
• Event system for NPCs, chests and puzzles with no programming knowledge required
• Front view, side view and Time Progress battle systems
• Character Generator and a large bundled asset library
• JavaScript plugins and Effekseer particle effects

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Fastest route to a working RPG on this list
• Strength: Large bundle of graphics, music and sound effects included
• Strength: Plugin system extends it beyond eventing
• Weakness: Built for one genre
• Weakness: Mobile release needs extra wrapping work after a web build
• Weakness: No free plan

Key facts

• Price: $79.99 one-time on Steam
• Release date: August 27, 2020
• Editor OS: Windows 8.1/10/11 and macOS 10.13 or later
• Bundled audio: 48 BGM, 29 BGS, 27 ME, 345 SE
• Developer: Gotcha Gotcha Games, KADOKAWA, Yoji Ojima

Where it ranks

RPG Maker MZ is No. 9 in our Best Game Engines verdict.