OMEGAHUNTER'S PROFILE

You could have MP start between 30-70, or 40-60. Or have certain equips influence where it starts at. So maybe you have powerhouse equipment on that will heavily increase damage output, but makes it likely to start with lower MP. Or you have high capacity gear that is "weaker" but gives you a high chance of starting with a lot more MP. Just a random thought. Could probably done with a bunch of variables.

As for my own game, I randomly thought of an idea and now I'm not sure what to do with it. I'm not sure if I should make my mage learn new spells as the game goes on, or attach spells to each staff she can use. You would start with a basic fireball staff, then later find staffs with more powerful spells and such attached to them. The way the current system works, adding more than 6 or so spells will make it things too complicated, but with the staff idea I could add an infinite number of them. Then again, more spells doesn't make a better mage. The current system might be better since each spell has a specific purpose. Any thoughts on this?

The reason most people go for standard RPGs is because they're just easier to make. If you're going for the "Zelda" type approach, you have to either sit there and code in an entire battle system from scratch which isn't an option for the average person. Or you can use one of the few scripts that are available for this sort of thing, which aren't that abundant from my research (at least for VX Ace). I'm working on a game like this right now, and it is way harder to make than a standard RPG.

There's an edit button at the bottom of posts. You can use that instead of double/triple posting.

The side view stuff is done by adding a script to your game. There are plenty of free scripts available that can do this for you, you just have to search around some or check here on RMN. I don't know much about XP so I can't tell you much about available scripts for it. Some are pretty hard to set up though, so I wouldn't bother trying it right away. Like I said already, make a simple game and learn all the default features before you go adding a bunch of advanced ones.

Welcome to RMN!

I don't know much about manually spriting, but if you're okay with taking the easy way out (like a lot of people actually) you can find a character generator for XP that'll make basic sprites for you. I never used XP, so I don't know much about the resources or generators for it though. If you're adamant about making your own sprites, then stick to it! We need more people in the community with artistic skills and less lazy people like me lol.

Also, you might not want to do an action RPG just yet. If by action RPG you mean a Zelda type game where you run around and fight enemies in real time, that takes a LOT of work. I'm making a game like that right now and its pretty complicated. For one, if you're new to RPG Maker, you probably won't be able to script in a battle system, and again, being new you'll also have trouble even using a battle system someone else made.

I'd suggest you make a standard "king sent me to slay the dragon" type game with the built in standard battle system (which is your usual Final Fantasy type thing) just so you can learn the basics of RPG Maker. Start small before you try some big action game.

Also, you can skim this thread for random resources you might be able to use.

You might get some more interest for help if you give us some basic story info considering that's what you need someone to help you work on. I took a look at the game page and all I got was that its on hiatus. I'd rather not commit to anything without having some general idea what the plot might be.

Personally, I'm going nuts on my project at the moment so I probably wouldn't be able to help anyway. Just saying, you might want to give some story info anyway to pick up interest from others.