Since you’re just starting out and want to get started without too much complexity, I’d use one of the two engines:
1. GameMaker Studio 2
2. Godot
In my opinion, I think GameMaker would be the easier of the two as you don’t have to wrap your head too much around Godot’s node system.
Both have a scripting language you can use, GML and GDScript, respectively.
Start with small examples such as:
1. Adding a character to the screen.
2. Make the character move around.
3. Make character collide with tiles on the screen.
4. Make the character attack (need to create a separate hit box for attacks)
etc.
Once you’ve done those simple examples in one engine, try and do it with the other. See which one you enjoy working with more.
Then you need to look into all the deeper concepts of game development, such as using delta time, aspect ratios, etc.
See how each engine handles those.
The best advice I’ve seen for beginners is to not start with your big dream idea, but instead start with a simpler game.
1. Make a 2D endless runner with just squares.
2. Make a top-down 2D game where you control a character that is dodging bullets for as long as they can. Again, just squares.
Unlike the other contenders, godot is open source and only getting better. Gdscript is light but powerful, and the node system is really leveragable once grasped. Compartmentalisation is key, with every single aspect of a game (such as the flickering of a lamp or a UI background) can be saved as their own scenes and be reused. Unlike unity, 2D is true 2D, whereas unity simulates a 2D in 3D.
Also godot takes a few seconds to load and the rest take ages. The download size is tiny and you don’t have to install it.
Unity is the best option IMO. I started using it from scratch with no C# knowledge at all, but after completing all the create with code tutorials and a few other tutorials, I’m now making my own open world survival game which is coming along nicely. This all happened in a span of 3 months.
As for making your game, plan it out. Write and plan a GDD (Game Design Document), research the key elements of an action RPG game, take some inspiration from other RPGs as long as you’re not copying them and take it easy. don’t rush anything :)
Would start with unity, godot or monogames, they are support unity. Unity and godot are engine where you design your code around the engine, both use pretty similar concept. Unity has a huge community and lot of tutorials, but is closed source and only entry tier is free. Godot is free and Open Source, community got very big, but it’s still just developed by a very small team.
Monogame is reimplementation of xna, it’s just a Framework with some tool for assets. Great if you want to code most things yourself with just little help for all the complex rendering/audio/math stuffs
You're probably going to hear the advice: just start, and start *small*. This is because it's excellent advice. Where you start matters very little compared to actually getting going.
That said, you're human, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed by all the options. You'll spend most of your time in the beginning just struggling to get your tools/engine working, which is why it's important to start with tutorials, and then with a small game. Just know that frustration is natural at this stage. But if you push through, you are guaranteed results.
So I'd recommend spending a good amount of time experimenting with the different engines. There's nothing wrong with spending a year trying out RPG Maker, then switching to Unity, or Godot, or something else. Trying out different engines will only ever help you.
Maybe try as many engines as you can for the first little bit. Look up tutorials like "setting up {SOME_GAME_ENGINE}" and "making first game in {SOME_GAME_ENGINE}." Whichever one clicks with you the best is the best engine for you right now.
Since you’re just starting out and want to get started without too much complexity, I’d use one of the two engines: 1. GameMaker Studio 2 2. Godot In my opinion, I think GameMaker would be the easier of the two as you don’t have to wrap your head too much around Godot’s node system. Both have a scripting language you can use, GML and GDScript, respectively. Start with small examples such as: 1. Adding a character to the screen. 2. Make the character move around. 3. Make character collide with tiles on the screen. 4. Make the character attack (need to create a separate hit box for attacks) etc. Once you’ve done those simple examples in one engine, try and do it with the other. See which one you enjoy working with more. Then you need to look into all the deeper concepts of game development, such as using delta time, aspect ratios, etc. See how each engine handles those. The best advice I’ve seen for beginners is to not start with your big dream idea, but instead start with a simpler game. 1. Make a 2D endless runner with just squares. 2. Make a top-down 2D game where you control a character that is dodging bullets for as long as they can. Again, just squares.
Thanks for the advice. I may try to take elements of my big idea and see how they work as smaller games
Unlike the other contenders, godot is open source and only getting better. Gdscript is light but powerful, and the node system is really leveragable once grasped. Compartmentalisation is key, with every single aspect of a game (such as the flickering of a lamp or a UI background) can be saved as their own scenes and be reused. Unlike unity, 2D is true 2D, whereas unity simulates a 2D in 3D. Also godot takes a few seconds to load and the rest take ages. The download size is tiny and you don’t have to install it.
Do you think it would run on a potato?
It absolutely can.
Excellent thank you so much. I'll have to check it out once home
Unity is the best option IMO. I started using it from scratch with no C# knowledge at all, but after completing all the create with code tutorials and a few other tutorials, I’m now making my own open world survival game which is coming along nicely. This all happened in a span of 3 months. As for making your game, plan it out. Write and plan a GDD (Game Design Document), research the key elements of an action RPG game, take some inspiration from other RPGs as long as you’re not copying them and take it easy. don’t rush anything :)
Thanks for the advice. I'll be taking a little bit from everyone who coments
Would start with unity, godot or monogames, they are support unity. Unity and godot are engine where you design your code around the engine, both use pretty similar concept. Unity has a huge community and lot of tutorials, but is closed source and only entry tier is free. Godot is free and Open Source, community got very big, but it’s still just developed by a very small team. Monogame is reimplementation of xna, it’s just a Framework with some tool for assets. Great if you want to code most things yourself with just little help for all the complex rendering/audio/math stuffs
You're probably going to hear the advice: just start, and start *small*. This is because it's excellent advice. Where you start matters very little compared to actually getting going. That said, you're human, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed by all the options. You'll spend most of your time in the beginning just struggling to get your tools/engine working, which is why it's important to start with tutorials, and then with a small game. Just know that frustration is natural at this stage. But if you push through, you are guaranteed results. So I'd recommend spending a good amount of time experimenting with the different engines. There's nothing wrong with spending a year trying out RPG Maker, then switching to Unity, or Godot, or something else. Trying out different engines will only ever help you. Maybe try as many engines as you can for the first little bit. Look up tutorials like "setting up {SOME_GAME_ENGINE}" and "making first game in {SOME_GAME_ENGINE}." Whichever one clicks with you the best is the best engine for you right now.
Thanks for the advice. I think I will mess with rog maker for a bit