Could you give some more examples of what you don't consider an RPG?
Will you personally consider Dreaming Mary an RPG or a VN? And could I ask for reasons?
I would like to do something close to VN but, considering that I gonna work with an RPG maker, I'm not sure if the idea I have would be closer to RPG or the novel.
There will be no combat mechanics, no leveling up, and no maps but I would like to set some trinkets the player can pick up and use during the game.
If it doesn't align with your views on the jam, do tell me and I'll get rid of them.
Honestly without even looking at that game (I've never heard of it but I WILL check it out) since you mentioned a VN that will be fine for the jam.
The difficulty I am having with clarity you see is that most games that are not even remotely an RPG have some sort of RPG mechanics somewhere in them. Take a karting racing game for example - you want to upgrade your gearbox with money won in races - OH AN UPGRADE system - that's very RPG.
I am taking a very relaxed stance here this jam is chill and I just want to see some out of the box imaginative thinking. As long as your game is NOT at it's core an RPG and is more of a VN than RPG that will be totally fine.
What I am trying to strive for is people not making cookie cutter templated stuff in RPG Maker that resembles anime fanfics of RPGs such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. As long as people have made an effort to embrace that I'm fine with whatever they decide to make.
I just put up a Sticky topic to address some of these issues as it has come up a few times now so hopefully it can better provide some clarity. Thanks and good luck with the game :)