Simplest way to make a "Link to the Past" like game?
Simplest way to make a "Link to the Past" like game?
I'm looking for an engine/framework to make a 2d "RPG" (no leveling, etc, akin to Link to the Past).
I actually went to University for games programming, so I understand how games work, how to code them, etc etc. I work as a Test Automation programmer for websites, and I am doing some development on JS as well on a music toy. I am experienced with C#, C++, Java and JS.
The problem I've had in the past is that the frameworks promise the world, but everything I want to start working on is hidden beneath folders and folders of stuff, and the entry point to customize the correct parts seems obscured. Or, working on OpenGL etc are too basic with basically nothing out of the box.
I just want something that will say : here's your main, here's your player character, we've taken care of the collision detection and inputs and rendering, there's no gravity. Paint the tiles on this screen, and get going.
Like the level of expertise, customisation and entry point needs to be clear (or at least there is a guide to get started that I don't have to spend hours and hours on) and the business side is cut and dry and won't cost me to start deveoping. (flat X% after $Y in sales)
I don't mind having to learn a new scripting language as long as it's not drastically different to the object oriented languages I know already. (ie : nothing in Lisp)
Some to check out, depending on what you're looking for:
Godot
Open-source 2D and 3D game engine. Very flexible and powerful, but also really easy to get started. Open source, so no dealing with licensing, etc. Easy to find tutorials and has built in tilemaps with collisions etc, some basic player control nodes that will auto generate a default script with input. Also has a nice animation player system that makes it easy to script up events. Write your game logic with C# or GDScript, which is basically Python with types and some other improvements.
GameMaker Studio
Another general-purpose 2D and 3D game engine. Trades a bit of flexibility for more beginner-friendliness. Supports drag & drop visual scripting for absolute beginners, or GML, a JS-like language, for more advanced scripting. Also has built-in tile editors and easy to implement player controllers. $100 dollar one time license fee for commercial projects (more for consoles).
RPG Maker
Much more focused and limited engine for building 2D RPGs. Going to be more plug & play, supports simple scripting with JS, but you're going to have a harder time customizing things that don't work how you want them to out of the box. Usually ~$80 but is on sale for $12 right now.