The creation of the first episode on the engine similar to RPGM took me about six months. Some time from this took the production of the engine itself. Now I understand that I wasted my time on my 2D engine. It would be better; instead, I would make a game on an Unreal Engine. I have some experience with it. The difference is that the graphics would be worse than the renderers. Although they could be combined. Monica walking in 3D and rendered arts during dialogues. Or 3D motion capture equipment and full-fledged animated dialogues like in the "Witcher 3"
Everything is possible; I have all these required skills
The main problem is time. It can be the coolest 3D game on the market, but with the first version in a year
Where is the optimal balance of time and quality?
At the very beginning, I generally did a game for a fan. Many first renderers had flaws. The gameplay at first turned miserable. But experience comes.
I hope that the game will get better with each version and will be recognized.