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Cocos2d VS RPG Maker VX Ace

Compare Cocos2d VS RPG Maker VX Ace and see what are their differences

Cocos2d logo Cocos2d

Cocos2d

RPG Maker VX Ace logo RPG Maker VX Ace

Check out all of the amazing features of RPG Maker VX Ace!
  • Cocos2d Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-11-08
  • RPG Maker VX Ace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-28

Cocos2d features and specs

  • Open Source
    Cocos2d is open-source, which means developers can use it for free and contribute to its development. This fosters a large community and a wealth of shared resources.
  • Cross-Platform Development
    Cocos2d supports multiple platforms including iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, allowing developers to write code once and deploy it across different devices.
  • Ease of Use
    The framework offers an easy-to-learn API, which is beneficial for beginners as well as experienced developers who want to create games efficiently.
  • Rich Set of Features
    Cocos2d provides a comprehensive set of features such as physics engines, particle systems, and skeletal animation, which are essential for game development.
  • Community Support
    A large community of developers contributes to Cocos2d, providing tutorials, forums, and plugins that enhance the framework's capabilities.

Possible disadvantages of Cocos2d

  • Limited 3D Capabilities
    Cocos2d is primarily a 2D game engine, and while it has some 3D capabilities, it is not as robust as other dedicated 3D engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
  • Performance Limitations
    Games made with Cocos2d might face performance issues, particularly on older devices, when dealing with complex scenes or high-resolution graphics.
  • Learning Curve
    Though easier than some other engines, developers still need to invest time in learning Cocos2d's specific architecture and coding practices.
  • Less Polished Tools
    Compared to commercial game engines, Cocos2d's development tools might seem less polished or feature-rich.
  • Fragmentation
    The existence of multiple versions and forks (like Cocos2d-x, Cocos2d-ObjC) can sometimes lead to confusion and fragmentation, making it harder for developers to pick the right tool for their needs.

RPG Maker VX Ace features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    RPG Maker VX Ace provides an intuitive interface and tools, making it accessible for beginners to get started with game development without requiring extensive programming knowledge.
  • Resource Availability
    The software comes with a vast library of pre-made assets including characters, tilesets, and music, which helps developers quickly assemble their game worlds and focus more on story and gameplay.
  • Customization Options
    For more experienced developers, RPG Maker VX Ace allows for deep customization through scripting with Ruby, enabling the creation of unique mechanics and systems.
  • Active Community
    RPG Maker VX Ace has a large and active community that shares resources, scripts, and tutorials which can help users improve their projects and find solutions to common issues.
  • Affordability
    The software is relatively affordable compared to other game development tools, and it frequently goes on sale, making it a cost-effective option for indie developers.

Possible disadvantages of RPG Maker VX Ace

  • Engine Limitations
    While RPG Maker VX Ace is powerful, it has limitations in terms of graphics and performance, which may not be suitable for developers looking to create high-end, complex games.
  • Ruby Language Barrier
    Customizing the game through scripting requires knowledge of the Ruby programming language, which may pose a challenge for those unfamiliar with coding.
  • Asset Restrictions
    The pre-made assets included with the software are often used by many developers, which can result in games looking similar and less unique unless additional custom assets are used.
  • Platform Limitations
    RPG Maker VX Ace is primarily designed for Windows, and exporting games to other platforms like macOS, Linux, or mobile devices can be cumbersome and may require additional tools or plugins.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite being user-friendly, there is still a learning curve involved in mastering all the features and capabilities of the software, especially for complete beginners.

Analysis of RPG Maker VX Ace

Overall verdict

  • RPG Maker VX Ace is generally considered a good tool for creating 2D role-playing games, especially for beginners and enthusiasts.

Why this product is good

  • User-Friendly: It has a user-friendly interface that allows creators to design games without needing extensive programming knowledge.
  • Flexible: Offers a range of customization options through scripting, which lets more advanced users create complex systems.
  • Resources: Comes with a variety of built-in assets, including tilesets, character sprites, and music, assisting in quick game development.
  • Community Support: There is a strong community of users who share resources, tutorials, and plugins to enhance the software's capabilities.
  • Affordability: The software is relatively affordable compared to other game development tools, especially when considering its feature set.

Recommended for

  • Beginners and hobbyists looking to create their first RPG.
  • Game developers who enjoy 2D pixel art styles.
  • Educators or students wanting a simple tool for learning game development concepts.
  • Artists and writers interested in storytelling through games.

Cocos2d videos

Cocos2D-x 4.0 Released

More videos:

  • Review - Corona vs Cocos2d vs Unity

RPG Maker VX Ace videos

RPG Maker VX Ace - Steam Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cocos2d and RPG Maker VX Ace)
Game Development
49 49%
51% 51
Game Engine
50 50%
50% 50
3D Game Engine
52 52%
48% 48
Developer Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Cocos2d and RPG Maker VX Ace

Cocos2d Reviews

The Best Gaming Engines You Should Consider for 2023
All versions of Cocos2d work using the basic primitive known as a sprite. A sprite can be thought of as a simple 2D image, but can also be a container for other sprites. Sprites are arranged together to form a scene, like a game level or a menu. Sprites are then code-manipulated as per events, actions, or animations.
Top 10 Mobile Game Development Tools For Intellectual Games
Like Corona SDK, Cocos2D also has OpenGL as a rendering engine that allows it to interact with graphic processing units. Cocos2D uses C++ to build games along with support for Lua and JavaScript. It is open-source and used to build cross-platform GUI based interactive games.
Source: unaryteam.com

RPG Maker VX Ace Reviews

We have no reviews of RPG Maker VX Ace yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cocos2d and RPG Maker VX Ace, you can also consider the following products

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

Blender - Blender is the open source, cross platform suite of tools for 3D creation.

Unreal Engine - Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.

Amazon Lumberyard - Amazon Lumberyard is a free AAA game engine deeply integrated with AWS and Twitch – with full...

CryENGINE - The most powerful game development platform is now available to everyone. Full engine source code.

Godot Engine - Feature-packed 2D and 3D open source game engine.