When comparing RPGMaker vs GameFlow + Unity, the Slant community recommends RPGMaker for most people. In the question“What are the best game engines for beginners and non-programmers?” RPGMaker is ranked 7th while GameFlow + Unity is ranked 26th. 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
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
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).
Pro Adds an abstraction layer that helps create the game logic
It is almost like talking with Unity naturally. Actions in Unity can be coded using regular English more-so than with other game engines, which makes it much easier for beginners.
Pro None of boxes and arrows, perfectly integrated into the workflow of Unity
Almost all visual scripting solutions for Unity are based on nodes, boxes and arrows, GameFlow changes this way of working incorporating actions blocks and actions using drag and drop.
Pro Excellent product
The developer supports the users quickly and with detailed responses. He is knowledgeable on the Unity API as well as developing videogames.
Pro Integrated in the Unity inspector
No windows apart, work with GameFlow from the own Unity inspector
Pro Can achieve in minutes what would take hours with classical scripting
Due to its innovative block system and without follow tutorials or look documentation will be able to create actions within five minutes in Unity.
Pro An effective advanced prototyping and scripting tool
GameFlow allows to complete a videogame in half an hour.
Cons
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.
Con The documentation is not very extensive
The documentation for GameFlow could use some work. It's not very extensive and it hardly covers everything needed to know to build a game.
Con Performance could be better for 2D
Performance can be a real issue with 2D games. Unity 3D is actually a 3D game engine, and drags a lot of overhead with it.
For mobile, one could never achieve the performance of more specialized 2D engines with Unity3D.
