Developing 2D games is pretty easy compared to 3D games, which is the reason why many new companies and developers want to develop 2D games and get some experience before they start working on 3D games. So, if you are also someone who wants to develop 2D games and looking for a reliable 2D game engine, this guide is for you. Here we will share the top 4 best 2D game engines. Let’s get started.
Top 4 Best 2D Game Engines
In 2022, we have many 2D game engines available in the market, but the truth is that not all of them are great, and very few of them check all the boxes of a good 2D game engine. That’s why we have done some research and have handpicked the best 2D game engines which are trusted by the gaming industry. These are the top 4 2D game engines in 2022.
1. Godot Engine
Let’s start our guide with Godot Engine, which is arguably one of the best free 2D game engines. The great thing about Godot Engine is that it’s an open-source software which means that it’s completely free to use. Another great thing about Godot Engine is that it’s capable of making both 2D and 3D games, and it’s a big plus because it will make it easier for you to develop 3D games in the future. Also, Godot Engine is pretty lightweight and fast, which means that it won’t consume tons of your computer’s resources, and you can use it on low-end computers as well.
If we look at the downside, Godot Engine has a slightly steep learning curve, and you will have to spend some time learning its features. Also, it has its own programming language, “GDScript,” which is very similar to Python. So, if you are an experienced coder, you can easily learn the syntax of the language within a week. Overall, if you are looking for a free 2D game engine in 2022, Godot Engine is surely one of the best options available in the market.
2. GameMaker Studio 2
If you are looking for some more robust than Godot Engine, you can consider GameMaker Studio 2. It’s the second alteration of the popular 2D game engine “GameMaker Studio,” and it comes with many new and improved features, which make it an ideal choice for 2D game development.
The main selling point of GameMaker Studio 2 is that it’s a very efficient game engine, and you can make 2D games very quickly thanks to its robust features. For starters, it comes with home-grown visual programming language “Drag & Drop,” which makes it very easier for beginners to develop new games without learning the proper coding. However, if you want to code your game, you can do it using the GML, which is the proprietary language of the engine. Similarly, the engine also comes with a powerful editor, animation system, and other advanced features, which makes the process of developing 2D games very easy.
If we look at the downsides of GameMaker Studio 2, the major drawback is that if you develop your games using visual language, it will get difficult for you to edit them later if you switch to coding. Another downside is that the engine uses the GML programming language, which is slightly difficult to learn, and you will need to spend some time learning its syntax and features. Overall, if you are looking for a robust and powerful 2D game engine with tons of useful features, GameMaker Studio 2 is a solid option for you.
3. Unity
Unity is arguably the most popular game engine available in the market. It’s mainly used for developing 3D games, but it’s also capable of developing 2D games. The main selling point of Unity is that it has a very big community, and you can easily find hundreds of tutorials and help online, which will make it easier for you to learn it. Also, it has a huge Unity Asset Store where you can find tons of pre-built assets which you can use in your video games. Another plus of using Unity is that it’s pretty popular in the gaming industry, and if you learn it, you can easily get a job in the industry.
If we look at the downsides, one of the major downsides of Unity is that it has a steep learning curve. You will need some time to learn its features and functions, but with dedication and the help of the community, you can learn it in no time. Overall, if you want a popular and reliable game engine for developing 2D and 3D games, Unity is our top recommendation.
4. Ren’py
If you want to develop visual novels, you can consider Ren’py. It’s a Visual Novel game engine that is designed specifically to develop Visual Novels. The engine uses its own programming language, which is very easy to learn, and you can use it to develop Visual Novels. However, the game also supports Python, which you can use to add more complexity to your games.
If we look at the downsides, the major downside is that the Ren’py is only good for developing Visual Novels, and if you want to develop any other game, you won’t find many supported features in the engine to make it.
Conclusion
These are the top 4 game engines that you can use to develop 2D games in 2022. All of them are very reliable, and you can use them to develop robust 2D games. We have also shared the beginners’ friendly 2D game engines, which come with simple features making it easier for beginners to develop 2D games. We hope that you found our guide useful and if you liked it, please share it with your friends. Good Luck with developing your first 2D game!
