I fiddled with Construct a few months ago and it surprised me how quickly I was able to get a very very simple (but rubbish) platform set-up going.

I think I have mental issues when it comes to programming. I dismiss things on the basis that they're 'too difficult' without knowing the actual work involved. With Construct, for instance, creating a top-down Zelda game with Construct shouldn't be any more difficult than the 2D platformer. Well, at least when the running around at the top-down angle hitting things is concerned -- it's the creating inventories and interfaces that scares me.
RPGs are even scarier. Battle transitions...inventories...PARTY MEMBERS. Eeek.

Hey, that Shut up and Jam Gaiden RPG was made using Game Maker IIRC.

I don't know any programming languages, and all I've used in the past is RPG Maker. But it's gotten to the point where, even with the latest version, VX, some of my game ideas, while not necessarily COMPLEX, it's gotten to the point where I'm cutting great big chunks out of my games to fit the engine, when things like Game Maker and Construct out there.

So just HOW difficult is Game Maker for a complete beginner who wants to make things like Zelda with inventories and dialogue boxes and inventory and things like that? What about an RPG battle system with action elements (a la Mario and Luigi)? GML looks intimidating, and something I'll have to spend years learning in order to move beyond recreations of Pong.

I know my post reads as if I'm 'in a rush' to create my Zelda-style game, and that I'm dismissing the learning curve or whatever. But it's kind of difficult to wear every game-making hat, and although I am passionate about art and design, the programming aspect is the one thing that doesn't click with me. I want to be realistic as to how much it takes to get to grips with the program. Like, I could open RPG Maker now and with just my basic level art, sound, writing and design skills, remake Dragon Quest 1 in a few months.

Advice, please?