Narrat vs Ren'Py
Narrat
narrat.dev
Ren'Py
renpy.orgSide by side
| Figure | Narrat | Ren'Py |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Game Narrative Design Software | 7.8 (#14) | 8.5 (#6) |
| Commercial use | Narrat is free and open source under the MIT license and may be used for personal or commercial projects without restrictions. | The project states that Ren'Py can be used for commercial games without paying a fee to Ren'Py. |
| Customization | The UI is themeable with CSS and the engine is configurable through editable YAML settings files. | Creators can customize interface screens and styles using Ren'Py's screen language and Python. |
| Localization | The documentation describes built-in localization with syntax for strings and a language switcher. | Ren'Py supports translation workflows and has been used for games in many languages, including Arabic, Japanese, Spanish and French. |
| Mobile support | The FAQ says Narrat works on the web, mobile and desktop, with mobile delivered through HTML5 web games. | Ren'Py supports Android 5.0 and later, while some functionality may require modification for mobile devices. |
| Scripting | Games are written with an approachable scripting language supporting branching choices, functions, variables and conditions. | Its script language supports writing visual novels, and Python scripting supports complex game logic. |
| Support | Users can get help through the documentation, troubleshooting guide, community forum and Discord. | Ren'Py directs users to its Discord and Lemma Soft Forums for questions, and to GitHub for bug reports. |
| What it does | Narrat is a beginner-friendly game engine for making narrative games, RPGs, visual novels and interactive fiction. | Ren'Py is a visual-novel engine for combining words, images, sounds and Python to make interactive stories and life-simulation games. |
Plans
In their own words
Narrat
Narrat is a game engine for creating narrative games, RPGs, visual novels and interactive fiction. Authors use a scripting language with branching choices, functions, variables and conditions. Built-in systems cover skills and checks, inventory, quests, achievements, save and load, audio and notifications. The engine supports interactive visual screens, character portraits and poses, animations, and video backgrounds. Its interface can be themed with CSS and configured through editable YAML settings; built-in localization includes string syntax and a language switcher. Developers can extend it with TypeScript code, Vue components, custom commands, menu tabs, data stores and lifecycle hooks, and documentation lists a Godot 4 integration plugin. Games can be built as static websites or desktop applications for Windows, Mac and Linux; Steam build support is experimental. Mobile delivery is through HTML5 web games. Narrat is free and open source under the MIT license, with personal and commercial use permitted without restrictions. Documentation, troubleshooting resources, a community forum and Discord are listed for help.
Ren'Py
Ren'Py is a free visual novel engine for making interactive stories and life simulation games with words, images, and sounds. Its script language handles visual-novel writing, while Python can be used for more complex game logic. Default games include menus, automatic saves, rollback, predictive image loading, and mouse, keyboard, or gamepad controls. Creators can customize screens and styles using the screen language and Python. The launcher builds Windows, Mac, and Linux games from any of those desktop systems. Ren'Py also supports Android export and can package games for WebAssembly browsers, though web support is beta and lacks networking and multithreading. It targets Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.10 or later, Linux x86_64 or Arm, Android 5.0 or later, and iOS 11 or later. Building for iOS requires a Mac and Xcode, and that support remains a work in progress. The engine is free for commercial and non-commercial use; most is MIT-licensed, with some LGPL components whose terms distributors must meet.