Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Unreal Engine VS RPG Maker

Compare Unreal Engine VS RPG Maker and see what are their differences

Unreal Engine logo Unreal Engine

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

RPG Maker logo 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!
  • Unreal Engine Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23
  • RPG Maker Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-18

Unreal Engine features and specs

  • High-Quality Graphics
    Unreal Engine is known for its ability to produce stunning, high-quality graphics and realistic environments, making it a preferred choice for AAA game development and high-fidelity visual projects.
  • Blueprint Visual Scripting
    Unreal Engine offers a visual scripting system called Blueprints, which allows designers to create complex game logic without any programming knowledge, streamlining the development process.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Unreal Engine provides robust support for multiple platforms, including PC, consoles, mobile devices, and VR/AR headsets, enabling developers to reach a wider audience with minimal hassle.
  • Large and Active Community
    The Unreal Engine community is large and active, offering extensive resources, tutorials, and forums which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning new techniques.
  • Regular Updates
    Epic Games frequently updates Unreal Engine, adding new features, improvements, and optimizations to keep developers equipped with the latest technology advancements.
  • Marketplace
    The Unreal Engine Marketplace offers a vast array of assets, ranging from 3D models to plugins, which can significantly speed up the development process by providing ready-to-use resources.

Possible disadvantages of Unreal Engine

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and capabilities, Unreal Engine can be challenging for beginners to master, requiring a significant investment of time and effort to learn.
  • High System Requirements
    Developing with Unreal Engine often requires a powerful computer with strong hardware specifications, which can be a barrier for developers with limited resources.
  • Large File Sizes
    Unreal Engine projects can result in large file sizes, which can be cumbersome to manage, particularly in terms of storage and transfer bandwidth.
  • Complexity for Simple Projects
    For smaller or simpler projects, the capabilities of Unreal Engine might be overkill, and using it can unnecessarily complicate development when compared to lighter engines.
  • Royalty Fees
    Unreal Engine imposes a royalty fee of 5% on gross revenue after the first $1 million USD per product per year, which can impact the profitability of commercial projects.
  • Less C++ Flexibility
    While Unreal Engine supports C++, the engine imposes certain constraints and abstractions that can limit the flexibility developers might need for highly customized or optimized code.

RPG Maker features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    RPG Maker offers a highly intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it accessible even for beginners with no programming knowledge.
  • Rich Asset Library
    The platform includes a vast library of pre-made characters, music, and tilesets, helping users to get started quickly and create professional-looking games.
  • Scripting Flexibility
    Advanced users can utilize Ruby or JavaScript scripting to customize and extend the functionality of their games.
  • Community Support
    RPG Maker has an active and supportive community that offers a wealth of tutorials, plugins, and forums for troubleshooting and sharing ideas.
  • Cross-Platform Export
    Games created on RPG Maker can be exported to various platforms including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, broadening the potential audience.

Possible disadvantages of RPG Maker

  • Limited Scope
    The engine is primarily designed for creating 2D RPGs, limiting its use case for other game genres or 3D game development.
  • Performance Issues
    Games created in RPG Maker can suffer from performance issues, particularly with larger projects that include many assets or complex scripts.
  • Asset Restrictions
    While the asset library is extensive, it can still be restrictive. Custom assets usually need to be created or purchased separately, adding to the development cost.
  • Licensing Costs
    Although there is a free trial, the full version of RPG Maker requires a paid license, which could be a barrier for hobbyists or small developers.
  • Learning Curve for Scripting
    While the basic interface is easy to learn, fully leveraging the engine's capabilities through scripting (Ruby or JavaScript) can have a steep learning curve.

Unreal Engine videos

Why I switched over to Unreal Engine 4 From Unity 5

More videos:

  • Review - Unity vs Unreal Engine | Graphics, Workflow, Price, Level Design and More! (2017-2018)
  • Review - Game Development | Intro to Unreal Engine 4 | No Prior Programming Knowledge

RPG Maker videos

RPG Maker MV: IN-DEPTH USER REVIEW

More videos:

  • Review - RPG Maker MV Hands-On Review
  • Review - RPG Maker Games - GC Positive

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Unreal Engine and RPG Maker)
Game Development
75 75%
25% 25
Game Engine
76 76%
24% 24
3D Game Engine
76 76%
24% 24
3D
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 Unreal Engine and RPG Maker

Unreal Engine Reviews

Top 13 Picks for Maxon Cinema 4D Alternatives in 2024
Designed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine is a comprehensive 3D graphics engine initially developed for PC gaming. Since its inception in 1998, it supports a wide array of platforms, including mobile, console, and VR. It is known for its versatility and power in a broad spectrum of industries like film and television.
Source: aircada.com
Game Engines: A Comparative Analysis
Developed by Epic Games, Unreal Engine stands as a titan in the industry, renowned for its stunning graphics and realistic visual effects. It excels in AAA game development, with a powerful rendering engine and an intuitive visual scripting system called Blueprints. Unreal Engine’s prowess lies in its ability to deliver top-notch graphics and cinematic experiences.
Source: medium.com
Best Unity alternatives for game development
Unreal Engine has become one of the most popular engines to date; it's one of the top-of-the-line gaming engines that produces high graphical fidelity and realism for many games. In fact, many mobile games (Injustice 2, Life is Strange) that look incredible are likely using the Unreal Engine. It's a number one choice that often goes head-to-head with Unity due to its great...
Best Game Engines for 2023 – Which Should You Use?
However, many game developers do report that Unreal Engine is better suited for larger projects and projects you intend to work on as a team. Additionally, as the program is heavy on the graphics end, many people will find it requires a more powerful computer compared to other engines like Unity. Beyond this, it is also noteworthy that while Unreal Engine can create 2D games...
The Best Gaming Engines You Should Consider for 2023
2022 saw the official launch of Unreal Engine 5, and it’s already shaping up to be a game changer for game development. Most next-gen consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are already using it, and its powerful tools such as Lumen and Nanite (an engine that imports high-detailed photographic source material – taking advantage of its past acquisition of Quixel)...

RPG Maker Reviews

16 Scratch Alternatives
RPGMaker deals with building-based services where users can develop high-range games into simple 2D games in real-time. This platform can let its users bring their imagination and creativity into reality with the help of some skills related to programming. It can even permit clients with detailed customization with the help of accessing a user-friendly interface so beginners...
Trending 10 BEST Video Game Design & Development Software 2021
RPG Maker MV is the latest installment and best version out of several options. This version builds upon the philosophy of developing games without programming expertise. An abundance of Sample data, Character generators, Sample maps, and other resources have been included in the engine to streamline projects.
The Top 10 Video Game Engines
The best thing about RPG maker is the same reason why it occasionally gets a bad rap—just about anyone can use it to create a game.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Unreal Engine and RPG Maker, you can also consider the following products

Unity - The multiplatform game creation tools for everyone.

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

GDevelop - GDevelop is an open-source game making software designed to be used by everyone.

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

Stencyl - Make iOS (iPhone/iPad), Android, Flash, Windows & Mac games without code using Stencyl.

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