Comparing Game Engines: 2D Platformer Focus?

Posted by Gemma Ellison

July 30, 2025

The 2D Platformer Graveyard: Lessons from a Doomed Project

We’ve all been there. Inspired by the latest indie darling, fueled by caffeine and naive optimism, we dive headfirst into creating our dream 2D platformer. We see ourselves crafting intricate levels, designing memorable characters, and basking in the glory of a successful release. But the road to indie success is paved with good intentions and abandoned projects. My own journey involved a pixelated nightmare built on a foundation of trendy engine choices and overestimated abilities.

I jumped on the [hyped engine name] bandwagon. It was the “it” engine, the one all the cool kids were using. I envisioned myself mastering its complexities, bending it to my will, and emerging victorious with a polished masterpiece. Reality, however, hit like a goomba to the face. I spent more time wrestling with the engine’s quirks than actually designing the game. The scripting language felt alien, the tilemap editor was clunky, and the physics engine… well, let’s just say my character spent more time clipping through walls than jumping over them.

The project stalled. Motivation waned. Eventually, it was abandoned, joining countless other half-finished games in the digital graveyard. Looking back, the biggest mistake wasn’t a lack of skill, but a lack of planning and a misguided engine choice. Choosing an engine based on popularity instead of project suitability is a common pitfall, and one easily avoided with a little forethought.

Finding Your Perfect 2D Platformer Engine: A Framework for Evaluation

So, how do you avoid the same fate? The key is to approach engine selection with a clear understanding of your project’s scope, your team’s capabilities, and your target platforms. Forget about what’s trending; focus on what’s practical.

First, consider your team size. Are you a solo developer or part of a larger team? A solo dev needs an engine with a gentle learning curve and readily available resources. A team, on the other hand, might benefit from a more complex engine with robust collaboration tools.

Next, define your desired art style. Are you aiming for a retro pixel art aesthetic or a modern vector-based look? Some engines are better suited for specific art styles than others. For example, GameMaker Studio 2 excels at pixel art, while Unity handles vector graphics with ease.

Finally, determine your target platforms. Do you want to release your game on PC, mobile, or consoles? Ensure your chosen engine supports your desired platforms and has a streamlined build process.

Let’s look at some popular engines through this lens:

Godot: A free and open-source engine known for its flexible scene system and GDScript language. Excellent for both pixel art and vector graphics, and supports multiple platforms. Its node-based system can be intimidating at first, but the active community provides ample support.
Unity: A versatile engine used for both 2D and 3D games. Offers a wide range of features and assets, but can be overwhelming for beginners. C# is the primary scripting language.
GameMaker Studio 2: Designed specifically for 2D games, with a drag-and-drop interface and a dedicated scripting language (GML). Easy to learn, but can be limiting for complex projects. Strong support for pixel art and retro aesthetics.
Solar2D (formerly Corona SDK): A free and open-source engine based on Lua. Ideal for mobile games, but less commonly used for desktop platforms. Simple and lightweight, making it a good choice for beginners.

Key features to consider include:

Ease of Scripting: How intuitive is the scripting language? Does it align with your existing programming knowledge?
Tilemap Editor: Does the engine have a built-in tilemap editor, or will you need to rely on external tools?
Physics Engine: How robust and customizable is the physics engine? Does it support the types of interactions you envision for your game?

Document Your Journey: The Power of a Game Dev Journal

Choosing an engine is just the first step. The real challenge lies in staying organized, tracking your progress, and maintaining motivation throughout the development process. This is where a game dev journal becomes invaluable.

A game development log isn’t just about recording what you did; it’s about reflecting on why you did it. It’s about documenting your design decisions, outlining your challenges, and celebrating your successes. It’s a roadmap for your project and a valuable resource for future endeavors.

Instead of blindly implementing features, use your journal to explore different solutions. Write about the pros and cons of each approach. By documenting your thought process, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your game and avoid costly mistakes down the line.

For example, an indie developer named Sarah, who I follow, was stuck on implementing a complex enemy AI. Initially, she was frustrated and kept banging her head against the problem. After taking a break and writing in her game dev journal, she realized she was overcomplicating the solution. By breaking down the AI into smaller, manageable components, she was able to implement it much more efficiently.

Consistency is key. Make it a habit to update your journal at the end of each development session. Even short entries can be incredibly helpful in the long run. Over time, you’ll build a comprehensive record of your project, making it easier to pick up where you left off, troubleshoot problems, and learn from your mistakes.

Furthermore, documenting your engine selection process is equally important. Record your reasoning behind choosing a specific engine, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses in relation to your project’s requirements. This documentation will serve as a valuable reference point, helping you understand the engine’s limitations and adapt your design accordingly. It also makes you accountable to your reasoning.

A well-maintained game dev log is more than just a diary; it’s a powerful tool for project management and self-improvement. It helps you stay focused, track your progress, and ultimately, bring your dream 2D platformer to life. This brings us to your next step: to truly streamline your development and bring your dream game to life, journal your development journey using our dedicated journaling tool. It’s designed to help you stay organized, track your progress, and reflect on your decisions for better project management. topical seo-friendly link text