When comparing Polycode vs RPGMaker, the Slant community recommends RPGMaker for most people. In the question“What are the best 2D game engines?” RPGMaker is ranked 28th while Polycode is ranked 32nd. The most important reason people chose RPGMaker is:
It's possible to create a game with absolutely no art or coding skills, so even complete beginners can make something.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Can create portable native applications
Polycode uses Lua and C++ to create native applications for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Mobile platforms are planned for the future.
Pro Free and open source
Polycode is free and open source (released under the MIT license). The source code is freely available on GitHub.
Pro IDE for 3D editing
Recently, the editor and its integrated tools have been released in compiled form. Features coding and scene editing in one application.
Pro C++/Lua
Polycode is distributed in a C++ form as well as with IDE. And there's an additional LUA-based scripting system.
Pro Easy to jump into using an intuitive WYSIWYG editor
It's possible to create a game with absolutely no art or coding skills, so even complete beginners can make something.
Pro Large and active community
The engine has seen multiple iterations since 1995, so a large online community exists that is always willing to help each other out.
Pro Ruby / Javascript support provides depth to more experienced developers
With a script editor that uses a modified version of Ruby, it's possible to go well beyond the traditional RPG with this engine. Note: XP and VX use Ruby, the latest version "MV" uses Javascript for scripting.
Pro It's an open engine
It's possible to use custom editors from the community, edit libraries,include libraries,etc (MV Only)
Pro Multi-platform
MV supports HTML5 exports, so it is easier than ever to make your game work on iOS, android, OSX,Linux or Windows.
Pro Inbuilt database and multplayer plugins, providing you the scalfolding to customising your projects with ease
The inbuilt database which binds to game saves or can be made persist allows great power within your logic. Also a plugin called 'Alpha.net' provides multiplayer. This combination can allow great customisation of the engine, allowing a powerful 2D game to be made with little to no coding experience.
Pro Greater Map layers
MV Mapping uses an additional layer to create better depth.
Pro MV has HTML5 export
You can now HTML5 export your projects, so you could theoretically host your game on your webserver, and have your friends play the game without ever having to install a single thing.
Pro A cheap license that allows using the software commercially
There are several versions of RPG maker, with MV being the latest and most fully featured: MV ($79.99), VX Ace ($69.99), VX ($59.99) and XP ($24.99), 2003 ($19.99).
Cons
Con Abandoned
The project does not seem to be maintained anymore: there has been no new release nor commit since mid-2015.
Con No mobile support
Doesn't have support for Android or iOS.
Con You have to code when you want something didn't built in
You know,RM series' default walk animation only has three frames.If you want to enhance,you have to code by yourself——especially majority of it's user are newbies.
Con No Hardware accelerate
You'll get a bad performance when you have big animations,especially in MV,which can easily change into higher resolution.
Con No 3D support
None of them have 3D support, it is possible only with manual scripting which could be difficult for beginners.
Con MV Does not have a "REAL" Android export.
MV has an export to HTML5 - which can run on any browser including android. It is however not a "native" app export.
Con Inconsistent included visual assets
Included visual assets within MV have inconsistent presentation. Though RPMMV does contain enough to make a small basic title, the visual assets don't often look like they should be mixed on-screen.
Con No built-in realtime battle system
RPG Maker series has only turn based battle systems, unless scripts/Plugins made by the community are used.
Con Conversion to MV difficult
Older iterations of RPG Maker use smaller sprite sizes that require manual conversion to use older RTP assets and older assets are more robust.