2D game engines

[pocketshotgun 39]

Hello!

 

So I have been experimenting with 3D game engines for a while and have been wanting to move into learning to make / messing around with and never finishing 2D games because I overall prefer the simplicity of some 2D games and their art style and just find it more fun to play with, so, my question is pretty simple:

 

Do you know of any good 2D game engines?

By this I mean top down, sidescrolling, or pseudo 3D any or all.

 

I have looked at programs like construct, and they don't really seem to be right for me, I prefer to be able to write the code myself, as apposed to having it pretty much all built for you because I think it allows for a more diverse enviroment.

 

Possibly important info:

I know a fair bit of programming, enough to get by and learn in most engines

I know the overall development that goes into a game as I have made a few before myself.

 

Anyway, Thanks for coming here at all, I would really love to hear your replies.

 

Thanks!

Edited March 16, 2015 by pocketshotgun

[Yummychickenblue 301]

http://unity3d.com/pages/2d-power

 

Looks like you could use Unity to do it. Though like  most other game engines you need to pay for it.

[pocketshotgun 39]

http://unity3d.com/pages/2d-power

 

Looks like you could use Unity to do it. Though like  most other game engines you need to pay for it.

I have tried unity, it is a good engine with lots of potential but although it has 2D capabilities, it is still primarily and natively a 3D engine. If I were to use unity, it would have to be once it was updated alot and made more natural for 2D games.

 

Thanks for the input though!

[Raini Skies 78]

The only one I can think of off the top of my head is PyGame, which is a set of python modules made to help 2D game development. Sounds just like what you are looking for, with the 'coding it yourself' thing you want.

Edited March 16, 2015 by Rainfall Muffin

[pocketshotgun 39]

 

 

The only one I can think of off the top of my head is PyGame

 

Some 2D engines I know of are Gamemaker (used a lot for side-scrollers) and Clickteam Fusion. The Unreal Engine 4 also supports 2D Side-Scrolling, and the engine is free.

 

 

Looks like you could use Unity to do it.

 

Thanks for the help in your replies, some of these engines I already knew about and some I did not, regardless now I have more options to consider. So thank you for your help!

[MoonyPony 55]

Hello!

 

So I have been experimenting with 3D game engines for a while and have been wanting to move into learning to make / messing around with and never finishing 2D games because I overall prefer the simplicity of some 2D games and their art style and just find it more fun to play with, so, my question is pretty simple:

 

Do you know of any good 2D game engines?

By this I mean top down, sidescrolling, or pseudo 3D any or all.

 

I have looked at programs like construct, and they don't really seem to be right for me, I prefer to be able to write the code myself, as apposed to having it pretty much all built for you because I think it allows for a more diverse enviroment.

 

Possibly important info:

I know a fair bit of programming, enough to get by and learn in most engines

I know the overall development that goes into a game as I have made a few before myself.

 

Anyway, Thanks for coming here at all, I would really love to hear your replies.

 

Thanks!

Hello pocketshotgun. 

 

Do you know any C?

[ryuzaki 21]

Rpg maker is always a good start. To the moon was made with it

[Lemon Slices 358]

Game Maker is the best. Trust me. Simple code, nice image editor...

[HereComesTom 2,266]

You've taken a look at my platformer before (the thread with the link is in my signature).  It's probably not what you were looking for, but if you have a use for any of my source code from my platformer, feel free to use it.  I've included the source code in the JAR files.

[pocketshotgun 39]

Hello pocketshotgun. 

 

Do you know any C?

I know some C++ but I am still learning.

You've taken a look at my platformer before (the thread with the link is in my signature).  It's probably not what you were looking for, but if you have a use for any of my source code from my platformer, feel free to use it.  I've included the source code in the JAR files.

I'll take a look at it, although it is probably not exactly what I am looking for. Thanks though.

[Lemon Slices 358]

@@pocketshotgun, really, try Game Maker Studio, by Yoyogames. You won't choose another program. I downloaded the Pro version for free (oooh pirate) but its really good.

[HereComesTom 2,266]

 

 

I'll take a look at it, although it is probably not exactly what I am looking for. Thanks though.

 

Thanks.  If you notice anything glaringly user-un-friendly about the level editor I included with it, please let me know---I haven't gotten any feedback about the editor since I put this out there.

[ThunderQuartz 8]

It really depends on what you're trying to achieve. For a bigger project, I would definitely recommend a C/C++ based engine but for smaller projects, engines based on high-level languages like LUA can be pretty effective.

 

I've already done a few things using this engine in the past : https://love2d.org/

It's super easy to use if you have some LUA knowledge, but anyway, LUA is anything but a hard language.

Edited March 22, 2015 by ThunderQuartz

[Twilight Dirac 721]

I would recommend RMXP if you were interesting in making 2D RPGs because I have used in personally and it is an amazing program that can be obtained through steam.  However, it seems more like you want to make an action side scroller, and I am not certain what would be ideal for that.

[Jokuc 8,173]

 

 

Game Maker is the best.

 

 

Game Maker Studio, by Yoyogames. You won't choose another program.

Game Maker would be my last choice for making a game.

 

Try using Paper 2D for Unreal Engine.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCl1DHhIYeY