The ROA"RPG" game doesn't need RPG maker. I can say this with 100% certainty. Totally separate thing.
Overall I'd much rather see them do something new with the real time fighter, but I do quite like the RPG style battle game. Despite the fact that I actually rather dislike the traditional battle system in most JRPGs.
Did you get the english patch for it? Without a guide or a lot of experimenting it's almost imposible to play that game enjoyably while wading through kanji. Back on page 5 there is an eng patch. Also on that page is an upload of my personal modified version.