Seeking Advice: Ren'Py or Unreal Engine for Visual Novel with 3D Elements?

[edolce]

Good morning! I would like to ask for some advice from this wonderful community. Like many creators on this forum, I have an idea, and I want to bring it to life. It's not the first time I want to create a game. In fact, I usually dabble in Ren'Py. Recently, I learned Unreal Engine through a university course, and I want to try using it to create an enhanced visual novel, incorporating 3D movement within the world and including rogue-like mini-games. However, I still want to maintain the visual novel's core style, with static images and text messages.

So, my question is as follows: Based on your experience, does it make sense to create a game of this type in Unreal Engine, or is it better to stick with Ren'Py and the more conventional approach?

I'm asking this question because obviously, creating a game in Unreal Engine brings more challenges, and before making this choice, I wanted to know what the community thinks.

Please feel free to share your opinions on whether you prefer Ren'Py games or Unreal Engine.

 

[Saint Blackmoor]

That is a very good question. I have thought that myself. I would ask if you want a popular game or a game to challenge your skills.
The renpy game is going to be the most tried/played of the two. It's easy to take a quick look at the numbers here on f95, and renpy wins in everything.
I personally avoid UE games partly for the reason I have had many disappointing experiences with them. Some of it is because I'm so used to Renpy and comparing the two.
It's like driving a beater car and a sports car. I actually like the beater better because being (say that 3 times fast) I'm comfortable with it.
UE also takes a more powerful PC to run.
UE has more career options, IMO being that it is used in platform games. It would look good on a resume.

This is only from my point of view. Whichever one you end up choosing, I wish you much success.

 

[baka]

doesn't matter, or I should say, what do u think?
its you that need to create it and it need to feel right for u. I dont use ren'py. not because I can not code, I have knowledge of pascal and understand how to use it. but I do not make games in that, instead I use visual basic. because its more fun to code and I enjoy the IDE.
so only u can answer. it depends on the knowledge, what kind of challenge u want to have, what are your goals and how unique u want the game to be, since all languages have pros and cons.
another aspect is sources and assets, I would not like to start coding in a new language without any community, sure we have chatgpt, but its nice to talk with people, share ideas and source code.

 

[anne O'nymous]

It's like driving a beater car and a sports car. I actually like the beater better because being (say that 3 times fast) I'm comfortable with it.

I would say that it's more like watching a pure amateur race with either beater cars or sports cars.
The first one will be more interesting to watch, because the pilots know how to use the cars and can't really mess it. This while the second one will be more chaotic. Half the pilots will crash their sport car before the end of the race, few will do really good, and the rest will finish two hours after the expected time.

Unreal will always be better, in terms of capabilities and power, than Ren'Py. But at the opposed Ren'Py will always be easier to push above it's expected limits, because you don't have to care about all the rest. And here, "the rest" include the compatibility with all the available material.
The reason why most Unreal games have difficulties to find a public is precisely this compatibility issue. You'll know that it works smoothly with your computer, but have no guaranty that it will also do with others. A bit less RAM, a CPU or GPU a bit less powerful, a screen too wide, or too small, and everything can looks totally broken.
Something that rarely happen with Ren'Py since every single part of the User Interface elements is designed for this compatibility ; and reported/corrected by the vast community when some change broke the said compatibility.

But in the end, what matters is, and will always be, what yourself feel the most at ease with.

 

[Deleted member 2282952]

I will just recommend not to use Unreal Engine, it is intended for larger teams. Increase of visual fidelity over Unity isn't worth the scalability / C++ difficulties.

Realistically, you are more likely to finish Unity or Ren'Py project.

 

[Deleted member 2282952]

I would say that it's more like watching a pure amateur race with either beater cars or sports cars.

Lol, nice. I would say Unreal Engine is an F1 vehicle, Unity is a sports Car, Ren'Py is a family van.

Get it, "family" van? ....

 

[Saint Blackmoor]

But in the end, what matters is, and will always be, what you feel the most at ease with.

Good points. Unreal was, I'm guessing, was developed with a platform system in mind and thus has a reliable system to develop from. Unreal in the AVN world is essentially being bootlegged or dumbed down for AVNs.

 

[anne O'nymous]

Unreal in the AVN world is essentially being bootlegged or dumbed down for AVNs.

To keep FunDi words, it's using a Formula 1 to go buy some bread for the dinner.

But in the same time, if it's the car you're the most at ease with, you'll be able to go to the best bakery of the town, which is located at the opposite side from your house, the time someone would just reach the closest one with his "step-family" car.

 

[Saint Blackmoor]

To keep FunDi words, it's using a Formula 1 to go buy some bread for the dinner.

Boy, we really took off with that Car Matafour.

Unreal is the Lambo to Renpy's VW. Both are very good at their intended purpose.

Sorry, edolce, we took your post for a ride around the block.

 

[edolce]

The renpy game is going to be the most tried/played of the two. It's easy to take a quick look at the numbers here on f95, and renpy wins in everything.

Yeah, I've already noticed that Ren'Py games have much more traction and attract a lot of people, both because, as you mentioned, the game can run on a wider range of computers and is, therefore, more accessible.

It's like driving a beater car and a sports car. I actually like the beater better because being (say that 3 times fast) I'm comfortable with it.

Absolutely true, haha! Great example.

UE has more career options, IMO being that it is used in platform games. It would look good on a resume.

This is also true. I'm aware that working on a game in Unreal Engine would definitely improve my skills in it, but is it worth it? My biggest fear is getting bored much more easily due to the difficulties and the fear of not having a valid return on investment. (I know it's completely wrong to start making games with the immediate goal of making money, but I'm aware that the idea of earning much less compared to making a game on Ren'Py plays a somewhat fundamental role in my psyche, destabilizing me, hahaha)


Anyway, thank you very much for the feedback.

 

[edolce]

The idea I have now is to start the project in Ren'Py and see what actually becomes impossible to do there (who knows, maybe I can somehow create a decent rogue-like game there too, I don't think it's impossible, but we'll see how it turns out, ahahaha). And then, if I encounter insurmountable walls or if I want to move to a higher quality, I could expand the game (while keeping the same renders) by implementing 3D world movements and other features with Unreal Engine.

Thank you again for the responses. I realize that the community here is very supportive, and you're always willing to answer and help others. I appreciate it greatly!