- Excellent for 2D game development
- User-friendly and easy to learn
- Visual event-based programming
- Overpriced and outdated engine
- Limited functionality and flexibility
- Better alternatives exist
Emotions
Users are highly satisfied with the software's ease of use, particularly for beginners and non-programmers, and its no-code visual development approach. They appreciate its versatility for creating 2D, small, and indie games, as well as its powerful functionality, community support, and value for money, especially when purchased at a discount. The ability to quickly prototype and realize game ideas without extensive coding is a major contributor to this positive emotion.
Frustration stems primarily from the high cost of the software and its DLCs, especially when compared to free or cheaper alternatives. Users also report significant issues with bugs, lack of an autosave feature, outdated design, confusing interface, and limitations that require workarounds or hinder complex game development. Poor optimization, instability, and a perceived lack of updates or value further contribute to this frustration.
Disappointment is largely driven by the software's high price relative to its perceived value, outdated features, and lack of significant updates. Users feel the engine is stagnant, has unfulfilled potential, and is inferior to free alternatives, particularly for complex projects. The cost of essential exporters and DLCs, along with restrictions on monetization in standard versions, also leads to disappointment.
Users express excitement over the engine's capabilities for no-code development, allowing them to easily create their own games and quickly see results. The potential for game development, suitability for game jams, and the ability to recreate specific game ideas or make fan games are significant sources of excitement. Discovering the engine's possibilities and its role in animating new developers also contributes to this feeling.
Anger is primarily directed at the pricing model, including the high cost of the software and 'scummy' DLC practices. Users perceive poor value, misleading advertising, and hidden costs, leading to strong negative reactions. Critical bugs affecting game distribution and a perceived negative developer attitude also fuel this anger.
Verdict
Mixed
Summary
Positive 72% · Negative 28%. Score: 28 / 100
Positives:
- Players consistently praise the engine as a versatile and powerful tool for creating 2D games across various genres. It's highlighted as ideal for small to mid-size projects, hobbyists, and game jams, enabling the creation of successful and mind-blowing titles.
- The software is lauded for its simplicity, intuitive layout, and ease of learning, making it accessible for beginners. Many users report being able to grasp the basics and even create their first game within a few hours.
- The engine allows for incredibly quick game prototyping and iteration. Users can get a basic game up and running, or even a complete simple game, in a very short amount of time, sometimes within an hour.
- The engine's versatility is greatly enhanced by its support for extensions and plug-ins, including C++ and Lua. This allows advanced users to implement complex game logic, custom movement systems, and expand functionality indefinitely.
- The community and developers are highly responsive and helpful, providing extensive support through online forums and tutorials. This ensures users can find assistance and guidance when needed.
Negatives:
- Many players feel the game engine is significantly overpriced for its current state, especially when compared to free and more modern alternatives. They highlight its outdated features, limited capabilities, and lack of significant updates, making it a poor investment.
- The engine is criticized for its inherent limitations, especially for complex or large-scale projects. Users report needing to employ convoluted workarounds for basic functionalities available in other engines, and its 2D focus limits 3D game development.
- New users struggle with the engine due to a lack of comprehensive and clear official documentation. The learning resources are considered unhelpful, leading to a steep learning curve and frustration for beginners.
- Players are concerned about the slow pace of development and the infrequent, minor updates. The engine is perceived as stagnant, with the long-awaited Fusion 3.0 showing little progress, contributing to its outdated feel.
- Technical support is described as slow, with long response times and unhelpful or rude replies. This poor support exacerbates user frustration when encountering issues or seeking assistance.
Gameplay:
- The core programming is visual, utilizing an event-based system with easy-to-understand variables. Users define interactions between objects through events, similar to 'if' statements, though direct 'else if' or 'else' clauses are absent, requiring creative workarounds.
- While it includes a Windows EXE exporter by default, additional exporters for platforms like iOS, Android, and HTML5 are available for purchase, enabling broader distribution of created games.
- The UI is generally easy to learn, but mastering the engine requires understanding its unique logic, including how events are processed top-down and how to manage objects, values, and optimize game performance. It benefits users with a grasp of programming logic.
- The engine supports C++ extensions for advanced functionality, and a wide array of free and paid extensions are available. Users with programming knowledge can also create their own extensions to enhance the engine's capabilities.
- The engine uses 'INI' objects for saving and loading data. It supports global and alterable values and strings, though global variables do not natively support decimals, requiring workarounds for precise numerical operations.
Performance:
- Players report that the engine struggles to run complex, high-definition games smoothly, even on many mainstream PCs. This indicates a potential optimization problem that affects a broad user base.
Recommendations:
- Many players suggest that superior game engines like GameMaker, Unity, Godot, and Unreal Engine are available, often for free or at a lower cost, and offer more updated features and capabilities. These alternatives are frequently recommended for those serious about game development.
- A significant number of reviews advise purchasing the software only when it is on sale, as the full price is considered too high for its current offerings. Some suggest trying the free version first.
- Player sentiment regarding recommendations is divided, with some strongly endorsing it for specific use cases (like beginners) and others advising against it due to perceived limitations or better alternatives.
- The software is highly recommended for new developers, hobbyists, and those who want to create 2D games without extensive programming knowledge. Its accessible UI and drag-and-drop functionality make it suitable for learning and quick game jams.
- Some users feel the engine is outdated and needs significant updates to meet modern standards. There's a desire for a future version (e.g., Fusion 3) that addresses current limitations and potentially supports 3D development.
Miscellaneous:
- The software boasts a dedicated user base, with many reviewers having used Clickteam products for over a decade, some even since the Klik & Play era. This indicates strong user loyalty and familiarity with the ecosystem.
- Many long-time users express that the current engine feels outdated, a product of the 1990s, and eagerly await the release of Fusion 3.0, which has been anticipated for years. This sentiment is shared across various user experiences.
- The engine gains significant recognition and positive association from being the development tool for well-known titles like Five Nights at Freddy's, The Escapists, and Not A Hero. This often draws new users to the platform.
- There is a clear demand for native Linux support or improved compatibility with Wine/Proton, as some users have transitioned to Linux and wish to continue using the software on their preferred operating system.
- There is a noted lack of information available in Japanese for the software, despite the existence of a Japanese version ('Indie Game Creator'), which could hinder adoption in that market.
