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Development
Game Development
Python
2D
Game Engine
What are the best 2D Python game engines?
7
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235
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Jan 23, 2024
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Best 2D Python game engines
Price
License
Languages
77
Cocos2d (Python)
-
MIT
C++; Lua; JavaScript; TypeScript (Creator only)
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KivEnt
-
MIT
-
--
Pyglet
-
BSD
-
--
Godot
-
-
-
--
Ren'Py
-
MIT
Python, Cython
See Full List
77
Cocos2d (Python)
My Rec
ommendation
for
Cocos2d (Python)
My Recommendation for
Cocos2d (Python)
All
14
Experiences
1
Pros
7
Cons
5
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
OpenGL hardware acceleration
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Top
Con
•••
Poor documentation
Most existing documentation is out of date. API documentation sometimes exists, though is usually just a one-liner and more often than not is completely absent. New features and significant system rewrites often make it to a major release without a single line of documentation accompanying them. Cocos2d-x family is developed by Chinese mostly, so market outside of China is not their main priority. Some tools (like Cocos Studio) have China-specific services and markets.
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MagicalVanapagan's Experience
As the first member in cocos2d family, cocos2d python shares the majority of the concepts with other cocos2d family members, like cocos2d-x, eg: scene, sprite, action... so learning game developing from cocos2d python will be a good start, it will make you learn other cocos2d variants easily.
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Specs
License:
MIT
Languages:
C++; Lua; JavaScript; TypeScript (Creator only)
Dev platforms:
Windows; macOS
Desktop targets:
Windows; macOS; Linux; HTML5 (Creator only)
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Allows for easy debugging
It has a built-in Python interpreter that allows for easy debugging.
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Top
Con
•••
Can seem very complex for a novice developer
There isn't much documentation or tutorials.
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Top
Pro
•••
Greater performance than high level APIs
Cocos2d-x is C++ based engine and it has CPU advantages for most platforms because of that. It uses polygonal mesh methods for sprite rendering for using GPU advantages. (You also use quad methods for benefit CPU).
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Top
Con
•••
Modest functionality
Almost all free alternatives are more convenient, faster, and more functional.
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Top
Pro
•••
Good documentation
Documentation includes a programming guide, API reference, video tutorials and massive reference test code project showing all functions and giving working code to the user.
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Top
Con
•••
Poor support and non-existent community
Up until 2013, this was one of the best engines around. However, since then it was bought by a Chinese company and began stagnating - it's virtually in a slow death. Most developers abandoned Cocos in favor of more modern solutions leaving the community weak and the forums with little or no traffic. Although the Cocos2d-x Forum seems to have a decent community going.
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Top
Pro
•••
Great script language support
It supports Lua and Javascript with full feature support. Especially with Cocos2d-JS you can develop games cross web and native, and the native solution have great performance with JS Bindings, much better than hybrid solution.
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Top
Con
•••
Messy documentation
Most existing documentation is out of date. API documentation sometimes exists, though is usually just a one-liner and more often than not is completely absent. New features and significant system rewrites often make it to a major release without a single line of documentation accompanying them.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
A proven engine for mobile development
25% of iPhone games are made using Cocos2d-x (A Cocos2d mobile variant.) This means you will not be alone in development, and will have access to a large community. You'll know you are developing for an engine that works.
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Top
Pro
•••
Supports 3D models with skeleton animation
A new feature since Cocos2d-x v3.1 is support for 3D models (in your 2D game), not only this but support for skeleton animations is included too! This awesome feature allows for impressive characters in your game along with easier, more fluid and realistic animations.
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Recommend
98
1
--
KivEnt
My Rec
ommendation
for
KivEnt
My Recommendation for
KivEnt
All
2
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Con
•••
Kivy
To actually use the engine you have to learn Kivy - the library the engine is mostly based on.
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Specs
License:
MIT
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Pi
Hide
Get it
here
Recommend
18
1
--
Pyglet
My Rec
ommendation
for
Pyglet
My Recommendation for
Pyglet
All
6
Experiences
1
Pros
4
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Written in pure Python
A small advantage, but being a core Python developer, it may be the best to stick to the roots and develop with pyglet as it is able to compile using other Python interpreters.
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MemzIcon's Experience
It's fast out-of-the box, and really easy to use for not only 2D but 3D graphics with it's OpenGL features. While it has a niche community, there are places where one can learn, like Youtube and the such.
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Specs
License:
BSD
Top
Pro
•••
3D support
Since pyglet is so tightly woven with OpenGL it allows the support of drawing in 3D.
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Top
Pro
•••
PYGAME VS PYGLET
CAN'T DECIDE LOL
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Top
Pro
•••
Cross-platform
Works with Windows, Linux, and OS X.
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Recommend
30
10
--
Godot
My Rec
ommendation
for
Godot
My Recommendation for
Godot
All
3
Cons
2
Specs
Top
Con
•••
Primarily supports own proprietary language (GD Script)
While it's very accessible, and if you know Python you'll pick it up fast, having to learn a new language to fully make use of the platform can be a bit discouraging. And for those learning to code as well as learning Godot for the first time, many would rather learn a language they can 'take with them' when they explore other platforms in the future.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, Android
Popular Language Bindings:
GDScript, C#, C++
Top
Con
•••
C++ Engine API not very friendly
The base C++ code from Godot is not documented, it's hard to set it up, to compile and hard to extend, it could use better programming standards.
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Get it
here
Recommend
7
2
--
Ren'Py
My Rec
ommendation
for
Ren'Py
My Recommendation for
Ren'Py
All
10
Experiences
1
Pros
5
Cons
3
Specs
Top
Con
•••
Meant for visual novels and Life Simulation games
Ren'Py's use as a 2D Python game engine is limited.
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Top
Pro
•••
Active and friendly community
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TranquilEnnugi's Experience
Great. Two years later and I still use it.
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Specs
License:
MIT
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android
Languages:
Python, Cython
Top
Con
•••
Not for every genre
While technically capable of creating 2D games in any genre, Ren'Py excels in creating visual novels and has a reasonable feature set for creating puzzle and point-and-click games. Other genres are best tackled by other engines.
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Top
Pro
•••
Reasonably good at creating puzzle and point-and-click games
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Top
Con
•••
Requires knowledge of Python to use
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Top
Pro
•••
Cross-platform
Available on Windows, Linux, OSX, iOS, Android and WebGL.
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Top
Pro
•••
Very easy to use
The scripting language is simple and understandable.
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Top
Pro
•••
Supports Windows, Mac and Linux
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Hide
See All
Get it
here
Recommend
8
1
--
Cub3D
My Rec
ommendation
for
Cub3D
My Recommendation for
Cub3D
All
1
Experiences
1
EnterprisingTheispas's Experience
Python and Android 3D game engine
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Hide
0
Recommend
8
Don't see your favorite option? Add it.
72
Pygame
My Rec
ommendation
for
Pygame
My Recommendation for
Pygame
Get it
here
Recommend
48
3
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