I've wanted to make my own games for a long time, especially 2D metroidvania-style games. I enjoy drawing and already have ideas for characters and bosses, but I'm struggling to get started with the technical side. I've tried Python, Godot, and Unity, yet each one feels overwhelming. When I opened Godot, I was faced with so many panels, buttons, and 3D tools that I didn't know where to begin. Is there a beginner-friendly program or learning path I should use? I'm starting to lose confidence and would appreciate advice on what to learn first and how to practice without getting overwhelmed.
5 Answers
Don’t expect to understand an engine just by opening it. Start with a beginner tutorial that introduces one small feature at a time. Following along will help you recognize what the different panels and tools are for, and your confidence will grow as you use them.
Begin with a tiny, deliberately simple game rather than a metroidvania. Try Pong, a basic platformer, or a small room where a character can move and reach an exit. Your first projects can be ugly and unfinished; the goal is to learn movement, collisions, scenes, input, and simple enemies. Then make the next project without copying a tutorial exactly.
A framework is a collection of tools and code that gives you a structure for building software or games. A full engine usually provides even more, such as an editor, rendering, physics, audio, and asset management.
Think backward from a very small goal. For example, decide that the player must move across one screen, jump over an obstacle, defeat one simple enemy, and reach an exit. List what must happen immediately before each part, then learn only the tools needed for those steps. Don’t try to learn every feature of an engine or build your own engine. A larger game such as a metroidvania involves many systems, so build those skills through several small prototypes first.
If a game engine feels too intimidating, try a visual beginner tool such as Scratch first. It can teach you the basic logic behind games without requiring much syntax. You can also make a few text-based games in a programming language before moving into graphics. Once concepts like variables, conditions, loops, and functions make sense, an engine will feel less mysterious.
Pick one 2D engine and stick with it for a while instead of switching between several tools. Godot is a reasonable choice for 2D games, and you only need to learn the parts relevant to your current project. Start with a simple 2D tutorial, then change the example by adding your own ideas. Learn basic scripting alongside it, such as variables, conditions, functions, loops, and responding to player input.
Tutorials are useful, but try not to follow them passively. After learning a feature, use it in a small experiment or combine it with something from another lesson. Reading the official documentation will also teach you how to solve problems independently.
What do people mean when they say framework in this context?