While it stinks to see that this program failed you (though from what I saw with it was entirely unsurprising), might I suggest the free RPG Maker 2003? http://2drpg.com/2003.php It's generally simple to understand, there are tutorials EVERYWHERE, and there are numerous communities built around that line of engines. Additionally, I'm proficient with this engine and can provide you with some tips and help. And just to show you what it can do, here's some stuff I threw together to test this specific version of the engine (entirely RTP). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpWEK8a5dIY
If you really want try GameMaker by YoYoGames, it makes garbage .exe's but if you search around the internet and find the Pro version I think you can make some nice 3D stuff.. Still garbage .exe though.
RPG Maker is easier to use/upload games Games like To the moon and Corpse Party, have used rpg maker...
While that is also an option, I believe he has expressed a wish to find a free or cheap anything. Besides, I prefer XP over VX Ace. XP seems to have more scripts available (including astounding ones like Blizz ABS and some online MMO one), plus it is far better at mapping than VX Ace is, since it gives you three layers to work with as opposed to two.
They are hard to manage and unless you spend a ton of time working on it they put a GameMaker logo almost everywhere.
