Softwr

Software · head to head

CryEngine vs Ren'Py

CryEngine logo

CryEngine

Software

Build worlds, break limits. Professional game development engine.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ren'Py logo

Ren'Py

Software

A visual novel engine

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CryEngine a royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE; Ren'Py desktop support is limited to Windows 10 and later on x86_64, macOS 10.10 and later on x86_64, and Linux on x86_64 or Arm
  • They diverge on capability: CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Ren'Py covers Simple scripting language.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CryEngine and Ren'Py actually diverge.

Attributes where CryEngine and Ren'Py differ
AttributeCryEngineRen'Py
PlatformsWindows, Playstation, Xbox, LinuxWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded19992004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in CryEngine

  • Advanced graphics
  • Physics engine
  • AI system
  • Animation tools
  • Flow Graph visual scripting
  • C++ and Lua support
  • Entity component system
  • Sandbox editor

Only in Ren'Py

  • Simple scripting language
  • Text rendering
  • Image display
  • Animations
  • Sound and music
  • Choice system
  • Save/load functionality
  • Translation support

Both cover

  • Local deployment
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

CryEngine

  • Building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illuminationnot Ren'Py
  • Developing with full engine source code accessnot Ren'Py
  • Sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get exportnot Ren'Py

Ren'Py

  • Writing visual novels with a text-based script languagenot CryEngine
  • Building dating and management life simulation gamesnot CryEngine
  • Shipping the same story project to Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOSnot CryEngine

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

CryEngine

  • A royalty of 5% of Gross Receipts is payable to Crytek on every game built with CRYENGINE
  • Royalties are waived only on the first USD 5,000.00 of Gross Receipts per year per game
  • Royalties are calculated at source on gross receipts before any publisher or platform deductions, so a developer receiving 70% of USD 100,000 still owes USD 4,750
  • Military projects, gambling, simulation, science, architecture and serious games are excluded from the standard licence and are not covered as Games
  • The licence forbids combining CRYENGINE with code from other game engine providers
  • Supported platforms are limited to those Crytek announces at its sole discretion, listed in the agreement as Windows, Linux, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
  • Support is only provided against payment of a separate Support Fee that Crytek may change at its sole discretion
  • Crytek may modify the licence agreement at any time, with the only remedy for disagreement being to stop using CRYENGINE

Ren'Py

  • Desktop support is limited to Windows 10 and later on x86_64, macOS 10.10 and later on x86_64, and Linux on x86_64 or Arm
  • Android and iOS are secondary platforms and development must be done on one of the three desktop platforms
  • Browser builds require WebAssembly support and Ren'Py states this platform remains Beta
  • Text support covers languages that do not require ligatures, with only some ligature-requiring languages supported

Pricing, plan by plan

CryEngine

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine access
    • Source code
    • Asset library

Ren'Py

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full engine
    • Cross-platform support
    • Rich scripting language

Which should you pick?

Choose CryEngine if

  • You need advanced graphics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux.
  • You also want physics engine.
CryEngine review

Choose Ren'Py if

  • You need simple scripting language.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want text rendering.
Ren'Py review

Questions people ask

Is CryEngine or Ren'Py better?
Neither clearly leads. CryEngine starts at Free and Ren'Py at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CryEngine or Ren'Py?
CryEngine starts at Free and Ren'Py at Free.
Does CryEngine or Ren'Py run on more platforms?
CryEngine runs on Windows, Playstation, Xbox, Linux. Ren'Py runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use CryEngine for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is CryEngine best used for?
CryEngine is most often used for building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illumination, developing with full engine source code access, sandbox based level design with what you see is what you get export. Of those, building photorealistic first person and open world games with real time global illumination and developing with full engine source code access are not what Ren'Py is typically brought in for.
What can CryEngine do that Ren'Py cannot?
CryEngine covers Advanced graphics, Physics engine, AI system, Animation tools. Ren'Py covers Simple scripting language, Text rendering, Image display, Animations. Both handle Local deployment, Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on CryEngine

More on Ren'Py

Keep looking

Other head to heads