Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Solarus Action-RPG game engine VS RPG Playground

Compare Solarus Action-RPG game engine VS RPG Playground and see what are their differences

Solarus Action-RPG game engine logo Solarus Action-RPG game engine

Solarus is a free and open-source Action-RPG game engine.

RPG Playground logo RPG Playground

Make your own Role Playing Games, fast and easy.
  • Solarus Action-RPG game engine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14
  • RPG Playground Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-28

Solarus Action-RPG game engine features and specs

  • Open Source
    Solarus is an open-source engine, which means developers have full access to the source code and can modify or extend the engine to suit their needs. This fosters a collaborative community and allows for customization.
  • Zelda-like Experience
    The engine is specifically designed for creating games similar to the 2D Zelda titles, offering built-in support for action-RPG mechanics akin to classic Zelda games, which is advantageous for developers aiming to recreate that experience.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Solarus supports multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS, which allows developers to distribute their games across a broad range of operating systems without needing major modifications.
  • Active Community
    A supportive and active community surrounds Solarus, providing resources, tutorials, and assistance, helping newcomers to get acquainted with the engine and overcome development challenges.
  • Integrated Map Editor
    Solarus includes an integrated map editor, allowing developers to build game worlds visually without needing an external tool, which can streamline the development process.

Possible disadvantages of Solarus Action-RPG game engine

  • Niche Focus
    The engine's specialization in creating Zelda-like games might not be suitable for developers looking to create games outside of the action-RPG genre due to its limited scope and features tailored specifically for this style.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its focus, there can be a steep learning curve for those new to game development or to Lua scripting, which is the primary language used for development in Solarus.
  • Limited 3D Support
    Solarus is heavily geared towards 2D game development with no native support for 3D graphics, which can be a limitation for developers wanting to incorporate 3D elements into their games.
  • Performance Limitations
    While Solarus is robust for 2D games, there are performance limitations compared to more modern engines that utilize advanced optimization techniques or hardware acceleration, especially for complex scenes.
  • Smaller User Base
    Compared to more popular game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, Solarus has a smaller user base, which might mean fewer tutorials, plugins, and third-party tool integrations.

RPG Playground features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    RPG Playground offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners to start creating their games without needing extensive technical skills.
  • No Coding Required
    It allows users to create RPG games without having to write any code, providing a drag-and-drop experience that is accessible to a wide audience.
  • Web-Based Platform
    As a web-based platform, RPG Playground doesn't require any software installation, allowing users to work on their projects directly in their web browsers from anywhere.
  • Free Access
    RPG Playground offers a free version that provides a solid set of features, making it accessible to hobbyists and those with limited budgets.
  • Community Support
    There is a community of users who share resources, offer feedback, and provide support, which can help in enhancing game development skills and projects.

Possible disadvantages of RPG Playground

  • Limited Advanced Features
    Compared to professional game development tools, RPG Playground has limitations in terms of advanced features, which might not be suitable for complex game projects.
  • Performance Constraints
    As a web-based tool, there could be performance limitations, especially for larger game projects, due to browser and internet speed constraints.
  • Asset Limitations
    The available assets might be limited in variety and customization options, which can impact the uniqueness and depth of the games created.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Customization
    While basic creation is straightforward, achieving more unique customization might require additional learning and workaround strategies.
  • Reliance on Internet Connection
    Being a web-based tool, it requires a stable internet connection, which can be a disadvantage for users with limited or unreliable access.

Solarus Action-RPG game engine videos

Solarus 1.6 Tutorial 1: Create A Quest

RPG Playground videos

RPG Playground -- A (Free!) RPG Making Game Engine

More videos:

  • Review - New combat features for RPG Playground
  • Review - Make your own RPG with RPG Playground

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Solarus Action-RPG game engine and RPG Playground)
Game Development
56 56%
44% 44
Game Engine
54 54%
46% 46
3D Game Engine
59 59%
41% 41
2D Game Engine
50 50%
50% 50

User comments

Share your experience with using Solarus Action-RPG game engine and RPG Playground. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, RPG Playground should be more popular than Solarus Action-RPG game engine. It has been mentiond 11 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Solarus Action-RPG game engine mentions (3)

  • Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) re-implemented in C
    I would like to give a shout-out to another awesome open source 2D Zelda engine called Solarus: https://solarus-games.org/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • What do you think about becoming a personal game developer?
    The thing is that there are people outside of industry who I think would easily be in love with my offer of $15K for 2-3 months. See this group of amateurs at solarus - https://solarus-games.org/ They have a free engine ready to go with all the art, music and complex programming built in. There is room for optional scripting. I just wonder how well my offer would go down with someone making a game in that engine. Source: about 3 years ago
  • [ALL] Biweekly Questions and General Discussion Thread
    Neither are ROM Hacks, though. They're made using the Solarus game engine, an independently created ARPG game engine that allows users to create their own games. I one tried my hand at creating one, but got a bit bored, because it's quite a large endeavour. Source: about 3 years ago

RPG Playground mentions (11)

  • Ask HN: What are some unpopular technologies you wish people knew more about?
    Kha is awesome! I'm using it for https://rpgplayground.com. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • What game engine should i use for a "mother inspired game"
    If you have only used Scratch, maybe RPG Maker is too advanced. Are you familiar with RPG Playground? Source: about 2 years ago
  • DevLog: Head buried in code
    That's about it for now. See you here on reddit, on our Discord, or at https://rpgplayground.com of course :). Source: about 2 years ago
  • any free rpg makers for beginners?
    Https://rpgplayground.com is free and easy to use for beginners. Although not as feature rich as RPG Maker. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Changes to game lists
    I made some changes to the game lists on rpgplayground.com. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Solarus Action-RPG game engine and RPG Playground, you can also consider the following products

Open RPG Maker - Open RPG Maker is a free and open source clone of features from the RPG Maker series (i.e.

RPG Maker - Make your own PC game with RPG Maker. Our easy to use tools are simple enough for a child, and powerful enough for a developer. Try it free today!

RPG Paper Maker - Website

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

Adventure Game Studio - Adventure Game Studio provides the tools to make your own adventure, for free!

EasyRPG - RPG Maker 2000 and RPG Maker 2003 compatible replacement.