EDUCATED CHOICE AWARDS 2008

Let me introduce you all to the Educated Choice Awards here at rpgmaker.net.

Overview
The Educated Choice Awards is an event celebrating quality indie games created in the RPG Making community over the past year (2008 in this case). The games are nominated and selected by a panel of judges, whittled down to about 10, and ranked. Each qualifying entry is then described by one of the judges in a small blurb, and then we present our list to the community.

Think of it as a sort of Academy Awards, but for indie RPGs on rpgmaker.net.

History
Back when we were discussing the Misaos, it occurred to me that we could also host a more controlled awards event, based on the recommendations of a small panel, and present somewhat in tandem with the Misaos. Whereas the Misaos are a "People's Choice" type of event, this would be more like a "Contributor's Choice" (at the time, RMN still had Contributors). In fact, one of the more consistent complaints of the Misaos is its lack of controls - anyone can nominate anything for anything and then eventually vote for whatever. Certain folk kept clamoring for an "expert" panel to distill for us the good games released this past year.

So I proposed this "Contributor's Choice Awards" in the mod forum and it met with a lot of interest. We came up with a system to determine our list, and after much haggling, delays, M.I.A.'s, and a lot of time, we came up with the list itself. And after even more time we wrote the blurbs (well, almost all of them). We also agreed to change the name to something jokingly arrogant: The Educated Choice Awards.

Judges
1. Max McGee
2. McDohl
3. brandonabley
4. Karsuman
5. Sam
6. S. F. LaValle

Moderators/Whip-crackers
1. kentona
2. Holbert


Without further ado, here are the 2008 Educated Choice Award winners:



#11. Harbinger
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/882/

by Karsuman


Remarks
Harbinger's strong writing and distinct design make it a standout game. It is a game that doesn't set out to be too ambitious and instead accentuate areas of game development that are too often ignored or misunderstood. What results is a completely engaging experience that leaves one yearning for more. Karsuman proves that simplicity is not a vice, and that even the simplest things can have something awesome to offer.

Screenshots




#10. Master of the Wind

by ArtBane


Master of the Wind is a highly linear RPG with a unique sense of storytelling and a solid understanding of mechanics. Follow Shroud and Stoic, two unlikely superheroes with a strong sense of justice, as they brave a conspiracy to monopolize the blacksmithing market that ends up being much bigger than they expect. Features complex and well-designed dungeons, challenging battles, and a unique take on the traditional RPG story.

Screenshots




#9. Quintessence - The Blighted Venom
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/937/

by Reives


Remarks
From the creator of the thematically polar The Mirror Lied and Do You Remember My Lullaby? comes Quintessence, the "quintessential" RMXP RPG. Kan "Reives" Gao combines his event-driven narrative and visual style with original music compositions to create a full-scale RPG world, and anyone that has experienced his more modest productions know exactly what to expect. Rich attention to detail and a great plot set-up ensure there will be plenty to enjoy in this adventure.

Screenshots




#8. The Mirror Lied
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/761/

by Reives


Remarks
"This is probably the best RMXP game I ever have or ever will play."
-Max McGee, October 6th, 2008.

The Mirror Lied, by Kan "Reives" Gao is a COMPLETE RMXP game. It is graphically polished, brilliantly stylish, broodingly atmospheric, has an original score, and is fun, engaging, and thought provoking. In short: there is NO EXCUSE for not having played this. None WHATSOEVER. It takes just fifteen minutes of your life and it will use those fifteen minutes to not just consummately entertain and completely engross you, but will teach you some things about game design! How much better of a deal can you ask for?

Screenshots




#7. 1873
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/723/

by ChaosProductions


Remarks
When it comes to uniqueness of style, 1873 hits the nail right on the head. While it helps that 1873 is a polished product with good gameplay, what really sells this game is its ability to draw the player into a different type of RPG world. Rather than use the traditional standard of swords, sorcery, and other high-fantasy elements, Chaos Productions pulls the player into the world of the wild west. What results is a good game with a solid point of view and a sense of purpose.

Screenshots




#6. Alter A.I.L.A. Genesis
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/272/

by Neok


Remarks
One of the most polished and presentable RPG Maker 2003 games ever produced. Everyone should play this for its startlingly high production values, well-done side-scrolling graphics (are those Alien 3 rips I see? <3), and graphic-novel-style cut scenes. You may well find yourself staying for its intensely difficult and sometimes-strategic battles. A gem of a game produced by an engine that this point can be called nothing short of venerable.

Screenshots




#5. U.S.G. ~A New Beginning~
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/433/

by hima


Remarks
Suspend your disbelief for a moment and imagine a shmup made with RMXP's scripting engine. Got it in your head? Now, chuck disbelief out of the window completely. An RMXP game that doesn't feel remotely close to one, this vertical shooter transcends the "competent" status you optimistically imagined into the realm of pure fun. It's not completely brain-dead either; Brandon Abley contributes a unique soundtrack to help characterize hero Kyte and his companions. Try it for technical prowess, and stay for the addicting gameplay.

Screenshots




#4. Cavern of Doom
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/707/

by bobthebobish


Remarks
This game is better than it looks. That's not saying much, considering the eye-straining graphical style, but Cavern of Doom is a great RPG worth a playthrough. The game itself is finely crafted and well balanced, though difficult - it takes patience and strategy (and little bit of luck) to succeed in the game. A lot of care has been taken to polish the game. Despite the misleading screenshots, the style does work ingame - everything is identifiable and well made. It definitely grows on you. To complete the throwback experience, all yon dialogue be doneth in Ye Olde Englishe - 'tis a touch most niceth. Cavern of Doom will catch your eye with its style and draw you in with its gameplay.

Screenshots




#3. Mage Duel
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/726/

by Max McGee


Remarks
Max McGee is known for his great achievements within the community, particularly Iron Gaia, BackStage, and Everything Turns Grey. However, bundled in with his less frequently played titles, such as Ruptured Souls, is a little gem called Mage Duel.

I'm usually not a fan of dunegon crawlers, and as the title suggests, Mage Duel is centered around battles. Fortunately, these battles are almost addictively fun to play and well balanced. With a slew of different classes of mage to play as too, you can replay the game and still find it fresh.

Screenshots




#2. SkyE
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/789/

by Anaryu


Remarks
SkyE shows what can be achieved with the RPG Maker engines. Featuring a unique battle system, custom graphics and a gameplay style not often seen in this community, SkyE is a breath of much needed fresh air.

For these reasons, and more, it's proudly taking second place in these awards. Everyone should play this game, with a bit of luck, it might fuel the community to think of ways to make their own games unique to play.

Screenshots




#1. Demon Tower
http://www.rpgmaker.net/games/878/

by Craze


Remarks
With its memorable characters, incredibly dense strategic variety, 14-man-epic-boss-battles, super-unique skills, and "quirky retro-graphics" (heh, heh, heh) Demon Tower is some of the most raw fun I have ever had while playing an RPG Maker game. I genuinely regret I have been unable to spend more time playing it, and really look forward to have a chance trying the whole thing over again. If you are familiar with the community, you'll understand what I mean is that the method in the inherent-madness of the Craze game-making philosophy is revealed by Demon-Tower: if you brute-force out enough weird, crazy-unique RPGs, (think a thousand very talented monkeys banging away on a thousand typewriters) you will get a bunch of weird and usually entertaining RPGs, but you will also eventually get an out-and-out masterpiece like Demon Tower.

Screenshots




Congratulations to all of the winners! We look forward to what you have next in store for us in 2009!