MV - MV + MZ : Make an Action Game! Chrono Engine Beginner Guide - On Map Tools and Battles!

AquaEcho · 2024-04-25T03:20:23+0900

This is a beginner introductory guide. I also have another guide Advanced Features! What is Chrono Engine? Chrono Engine is a free, open-source suite of plugins used to make action games by adding on-map tools and battles for MV (and MZ compatible with FOSSIL (see MZ notes at bottom)). It can be confusing and overwhelming for beginners, especially since all the instructions are in Portuguese. This guide will simplify it. Chrono Engine has two modes: ABS (Action Battle System) and Chrono Mode. ABS mode allows you to make a game like 2D Zelda where you fight enemies on the map and use tools or weapons to solve puzzles. Chrono Mode allows you to have a battle system like Chrono Trigger: an ATB or turn-based battle system on the map instead of cutting to the battle scene for battles. What else can I make in Chrono Engine? Chrono Engine can be used to make any game that has on-map battles. Think tower defense games, RTSes, top-down shooters, etc. Can I still use the regular battle scene as well as the on-map battles? Yes, the regular battle scene is still usable, so you can have both in your game. You could have different sections of the game use different systems, or just use Chrono Engine for the map tools while using the regular battle scene for battles. Can I use both the ABS and Chrono modes in the same game? Yes, it's toggleable with the plugin command chrono_mode : true or false Where do I get it? https://mogplugins.com/mv-chrono-engine/ You can also get stock Chrono Engine as part of Cross Engine (basically Chrono Engine on steroids) Once downloaded, open the demo project. Go to Master_MV_23_1 > ChronoEngine> Game (Note: There is another demo project in the download showcasing the rest of Moghunter's plugins, which you can look at later to see if there's anything you want to use). You will want to play the demo first (press the green play button in the top right in the editor) to see all the features in action. Chrono Mode will showcase a Chrono Trigger clone. ABS Mode (Stage 1) will showcase a Zelda clone with an emphasis on puzzles and some light combat. ABS Mode (Stage 2) will showcase a more action/battle-heavy ABS system with advanced features like combos and charged attacks. Plugin Commands (Debug) is simply a testing map to show what the different plugin commands do. Once you've played enough, go back to the project file. This is the Tool Map. Even though it is a map, the player never goes to it. It is simply to store event templates for the tools, spells, and items the player uses on the active map. If you have used an event spawner plugin, this works much the same way. Whenever you use a tool, spell or item in game, its event is temporarily called from this template map and spawned on the active map the player is on, then unspawned when finished. After all, you only need an arrow, bomb or spell to show briefly after using it. Some of the events here are for ABS mode, some for Chrono Mode. Depending on the type of game you want to make, you only need some of them. Spoiler: Overview of all the tool events The first five events are non-ABS items. The next six events are the Zelda tools. The last four are the basic attacks of Ash and his party members in Chrono Mode. (However if you add the party members in ABS mode and switch the leader they'll use them there too.) Lines 3 and 4 are Chrono mode spells. Note it's possible to use these in ABS mode, but you will have to add the note ABS mode in the database note box for them to show up in the skill list. Line 6 is Chrono mode double and triple techs. The last two lines are ABS mode skills used by the player, enemy and bosses. Let's look at the tool event pages. Each tool event will have a number of properties in its event page, like how long it takes to use it, how long it stays on the map, and what item/skill/weapon database entry to get its damage numbers/effects from. The tool willl also have a move route defining how the tool event moves, what sound it makes, etc when its spawned onto the current map. You can see this arrow just moves straight ahead. If there is no move route the tool may not move from the user's position and may not see it. You'll notice on every event on the tool map there is a comment for tool_item_id, tool_skill_id, or tool_weapon_id. That id refers to the database ID and allows that event to use its corresponding database stats. Likewise, the entry in the database will have a Tool Id : X note in the note section to link it back to its tool map event so that when you select that item/skill/weapon from a menu, it knows which tool event to spawn when you use it. The explanation of every comment can be found in the MOG_ChronoEngine plugin file. Translation of the Comments instructions from ChatGPT Spoiler: Translation tool_item_id : ITEM_ID - Defines damage based on the Item ID. tool_skill_id : SKILL_ID - Defines damage based on the Skill ID. tool_item_cost : ITEM_ID - Activates an item cost for the action. (*Bow and arrow) tool_…

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Started by AquaEcho Apr 24, 2024, 06:20 PM 58 posts Page 2 of 3 View original ↗

bass2yang

#21 May 25, 2025, 03:19 AM Source
I just remembered MZ uses a different line of code for animations - did you try:
JavaScript:
$gameTemp.requestAnimation([this.target()], 135); this.setWaitMode('animation');
In any case, it might work with this. Converting things over can be as easy as copy and paste or as crazy as having to rewrite all the functions haha.
Crim_T

#22 May 25, 2025, 04:55 AM Source
bass2yang said:
I just remembered MZ uses a different line of code for animations - did you try:

JavaScript:
$gameTemp.requestAnimation([this.target()], 135); this.setWaitMode('animation');

In any case, it might work with this. Converting things over can be as easy as copy and paste or as crazy as having to rewrite all the functions haha.
Unfortunately in this case it's probably a rewrite that's needed.;_;

I had tried the above or at least a variation on it before. Trying it again gave the same results. It seems anytime I use any of Moghunters SUBJECT script calls the wait animation function doesn't register.

Even using the animation script call from one the MZ Schala Engine threads
Code:
$gameTemp.requestAnimation([this.user().battler()._chrono.targets[0]], 135); this.setWaitMode('animation');
Doesn't allow it to wait.

In any case, thanks for your time in looking at this
Merancapeman

#23 May 30, 2025, 09:01 AM Source

If it's recommended to build on top of the demo, how can you do this in MZ if the demo is made in RMMV?
AquaEcho

#24 May 30, 2025, 01:49 PM Source

Merancapeman said:
If it's recommended to build on top of the demo, how can you do this in MZ if the demo is made in RMMV?
You can open MV projects in MZ. Look at the FOSSIL thread. It has a picture of Chrono Engine in MZ in the first post.
Project FOSSIL (v1.0): Use MV plugins in MZ! 300+ plugins Fossilized!
You will have to copy over all the assets (music, pictures, icons, etc) into the right folders.
Merancapeman

#25 May 31, 2025, 01:42 AM Source

AquaEcho said:
You can open MV projects in MZ. Look at the FOSSIL thread. It has a picture of Chrono Engine in MZ in the first post.
Project FOSSIL (v1.0): Use MV plugins in MZ! 300+ plugins Fossilized!
You will have to copy over all the assets (music, pictures, icons, etc) into the right folders.
Apologies, and not to say I didn't screw anything up (I'm very capable of that lol) but that's what I originally thought you should do. I can open it, but I can't playtest it as it doesn't leave the black screen, and I have title disabled in case that could have helped. Is it so that I need to config the scripting in the demo to call through FOSSIL? Or is it 100% PEBCAK and I'm just being a doofus...
AquaEcho

#26 May 31, 2025, 01:45 AM Source

Do you have all the plugins listed in the order in the screenshot in the FOSSIL thread?

Turn off MOG_TitleSplashScreen if it's on
Merancapeman

#27 May 31, 2025, 01:53 AM Source

Hmmmm... Using the link for the MV version of the Mog pack does not produce what the FOSSIL screenshot shows.

Because I'm an idiot and didn't see the spoiler for what plugins you can dispose of... I'm assuming THAT'S the problem..
AquaEcho

#28 May 31, 2025, 02:01 AM Source

Merancapeman said:
Hmmmm... Using the link for the MV version of the Mog pack does not produce what the FOSSIL screenshot shows.

Because I'm an idiot and didn't see the spoiler for what plugins you can dispose of... I'm assuming THAT'S the problem..
You have to use the plugins in the Chrono Engine folder in that download. You could also get it from Cross Engine.
Merancapeman

#29 May 31, 2025, 02:03 AM Source

AquaEcho said:
You have to use the plugins in the Chrono Engine folder in that download. You could also get it from Cross Engine.
Well, either way I'm an idiot and I missed a basic step. Sorry for the waste of your time, and I appreciate your response. You guys are doing amazing work and it is helping shape a lot of these engines into what makes them worth it.
AquaEcho

#30 May 31, 2025, 02:46 AM Source

Merancapeman said:
Sorry for the waste of your time, and I appreciate your response.
It is not a problem. If anything is unclear or confusing let me know.
Merancapeman

#31 May 31, 2025, 09:30 AM Source

AquaEcho said:
It is not a problem. If anything is unclear or confusing let me know.
Actually, I've probably continued to be ignorant about this but there's definitely something strange about what I've got set up. I'm in the process of figuring out what can be compatible with this system (already found out that the dot movement plugin addition throws a "allCharacters.has is not a function" error) now that I got the demo working in MZ. In that process I noticed something very weird: FOSSIL was not installed as a plugin and it was working. When I threw FOSSIL in there, it stopped working. Did I misread something again?
AquaEcho

#32 May 31, 2025, 02:55 PM Source

If you want pixel movement use Cross Engine which uses Altimit Pixel Movement. Cross Engine also has a ton of other features. For MZ, you may want to swap the stock Altimit with TyrusWoo's MZ port of Altimit.
Merancapeman

#33 Jun 1, 2025, 05:32 AM Source

I appreciate the response, I did download it to test it but the plugin I'd really like to get working with an ABS/ARPG system is MZ3D, which I understand is probably a tall order for someone still fairly inexperienced like me. As it stands, it throws "Cannot read property of 'clearColor' of undefined" with MZ3D. I was also expecting to need FOSSIL as it's what I'm going to use to try and get some plugin collections I bought a long time ago to work again, but trying to load the Chrono demo with it installed at the top of the list results in a black screen. I understand it's most certainly something I'm doing, but I'm not going to bug you with a million questions because then I should be paying you, haha. Thank you for your work.
AquaEcho

#34 Jun 1, 2025, 06:17 AM Source

You'll have to look at YoraeRasantae's work as I know he has stuff for FOSSIL, MV3D and MZ3D and mentioned making Chrono Engine patches. Also check the MV3D/MZ3D
Discord https://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?threads/mv3d-and-chrono-engine-compatibility.121424

I'm gonna be honest though. If I want to make a 3D game I'd just use another engine where that kind of thing is already built in.
Merancapeman

#35 Jun 1, 2025, 06:49 AM Source

Thanks for the point in the right direction, you're too kind. I will check those out immediately.

I'd agree with you if I didn't really like how RPG Maker looks with MZ3D, but I also realize that's going to limit the plugins that will work. I'm going to do my best to get what I can together and make something as unique as I can, but I also just want to tell a story and score it myself; at best to have a decent game that speaks to the message I want to convey, at worst I'll have a playable resume to give to indie teams as an example of my ability to create themes with my music. I've attempted to use the more recent versions of UE and Unity for the last year or so, and a lot of that I can't process that well either because of my weird brain or I'm just stupid. I have, however, used RM2003, XP, Ace, and MV over many years and as much as I've forgotten I remember always enjoying making games in it as well as feeling validated when I get things working correctly and get in that frame of mind. I feel if I have any success at all before either old age or my illness gets me killed, this engine is probably going to be my best chance. I'm far too jaded to trust other people with my ideas and story, and I don't like commanding others to do something I can't do, so my forray into solo dev work is already being hindered by myself. I at least want to try.

Sorry, this isn't the place for me to find therapy, so I'll stop blabbering. TLDR: thank you for your kindness. I'll try to do better at searching for this information.
AquaEcho

#36 Jun 1, 2025, 04:22 PM Source

Merancapeman said:
I've attempted to use the more recent versions of UE and Unity for the last year or so, and a lot of that I can't process that well either because of my weird brain or I'm just stupid
I use both RPG Maker and GDevelop and I know most types of games are easier to make in that engine (yes, including action games like this thread) and it has basic 3D support built in. RPG Maker is specialized for RPGs as its name implies and has a lot of systems built in for RPGs, but the further away you get from RPG Maker's template systems the less support there is. Pandako who has a 3D plugin for RPG Maker makes 3D plugins for both engines.

PANDAKO - itch.io

That said, I am still here to help anyone who wants to do this in RPG Maker but it has required a lot of scripting, workarounds, and overwriting engine functions with plugin patches.. Personally I am too far along in my project to switch and I know there are other people in the same boat.

YoraeRasantae is active on the MV/MZ3D Discord so he's the one to ask on how to use Chrono Engine for 3D games. I can only give you advice based on what I know but he would know more about the specific implementation you want to do.
Merancapeman

#37 Jun 1, 2025, 07:27 PM Source

I guess the biggest hurdle would then be the fact that I've purchased multiple plugins and assets for RMMZ/MV as well as the engine, and switching to something like GDevelop - even thought it's free -would mean starting again with not only no assets and no experience, but a mostly blank slate that I'd have to build the entire foundation for before I can even think about any creative aspects. I'm sure they have a lot of free stuff (well, I assume anyway) to work with, but there was a reason I paid for the ones I did. The ones in GDevelops shop don't look all that good to me, or at the very least they don't fit with the style that I may be able to achieve with the plugins and assets I've already accumulated for MZ/MV. I looked up how to make an ARPG using GDevelop and the first thing that pops up is a tutorial on how to make a grid so you can program your character to walk, which already concerns me. Further searching online indicates that not many people are aware of how to achieve an ARPG with GDevelop, although Google is showing me questions from a year ago and there doesn't seem to be much else. The available templates for Gdevelop in their shop don't seem to have anything for an ARPG (the closest they have is a roguelike and that's definitely not my style either) and while Pandako's plugins look useful, they illustrate further how each feature that a basic RPG has (dialogue boxes, grid movement, menus, etc) needs to be built from the ground up. According to one comment on the few posts asking about making an ARPG for GDevelop, this can be cumbersome, which is why I'm trying to minimize that stress with MZ. Pandako's plugins for MZ look pretty neat too, but they also don't fit for my vision. But different strokes for different folks.

Regardless, it's good to still look at alternatives. I appreciate your dedication as I know it's incredibly frustrating and feels thankless. Sorry for being a windbag and writing an unneccessary novel. Thank you for being a part of the community that's making MZ worth it for people like me.
AquaEcho

#38 Jun 1, 2025, 07:57 PM Source

Merancapeman said:
no assets and no experience,
You can import your own assets into the engine. You don't have to use the ones from their library or shop. Same as RPG Maker. You're not limited to only using DLC assets you buy. Unless the assets you bought say Maker use only you can use them in any engine.

Merancapeman said:
but a mostly blank slate that I'd have to build the entire foundation for before I can even think about any creative aspects.
Yes, this is true for pretty much every engine. You have to build the game you want from the ground up or start with one of their templates and edit it. GDevelop has over 100 templates including for top down shooters and action games, most of which are free.

Merancapeman said:
the first thing that pops up is a tutorial on how to make a grid so you can program your character to walk
Yes, because they let you build just about any type of game. A platformer is going to have different movement controls than top down or 3D. It wouldn't be helpful if it just gave you top down by default if you want to make a platformer. RPG Maker just gives you top down tile based movement and if you want something different, it's up to you to find the 3rd party plugin for it and any support is not their problem.

"ARPG" is also vague and just a collection of mechanics. TWEWY and Ys are both ARPGs but have different controls and mechanics. ARPG mechanics are also found in other genres. You probably are using melee and projectile combat, which is also used in platformers, roguelites, beat em ups, etc. which there are a lot of templates and tutorials for.

RPG Maker comes with prebuilt RPG-specific systems like the inventory. menus and battle system. That is its strength. If you like those template systems, great, the work has been done for you. If you want something different or want to radically change it is a lot of work and not much better than building it from the ground up how you want.

For me specifically, RPG Maker is weak when it comes to pathfinding, custom collisions, and performance. Its menu customization options are also weak. If you're making the typical 2D menu based RPG, it is fine, but you start running into problems when you want more.

This is what the RPG Maker devs themselves said about making an action game in RPG Maker and why they had to make a new engine (Action Game Maker) instead of just using RPG Maker

"The processing requirements for RPGs and action games differ significantly. Action games, in particular, demand high-performance collision detection and fast response times, which made our RPG-specialized in-house engine insufficient for this genre."
taylorjeff

#39 Aug 24, 2025, 06:39 PM Source

Hello, your plugin is amazing and I really enjoy using it.
I have a question: is there a way to disable mouse click-to-move?
These past few days I’ve been trying to find a solution, but nothing worked.

My goal is to use WASD keys for movement and keep the mouse for attacking.
I even tried using other plugins to disable mouse movement, but they all failed… obviously your plugin is too powerful.
I’ve also tried changing some parameters to false, but it didn’t have any effect.
I’ve searched a lot and even tried different methods, but none of them worked, which made me a bit discouraged.

Could you please tell me if there is a way to achieve this? Thank you very much!
AquaEcho

#40 Aug 25, 2025, 04:14 PM Source

Another plugin that disables mouse movement would work. I use this with QJ Bullet / Map Projectiles that has a disable mouse movement option

Bullet/Map Projectiles/Afterimage Plugin RMMV by qiujiu