Larch Visual Novel Maker

Comparisons

Larch vs RPG Maker, Unity, Construct and GameMaker (2026): which game maker should you use?

Making a visual novel or an RPG? We compare Larch, RPG Maker, Unity, Construct, GameMaker, Godot and Ren’Py on price, coding, AI, real-time co-editing and publishing.

Larch vs RPG Maker, Unity, Construct and GameMaker (2026): which game maker should you use?

The short answer: to make a visual novel or a 2D RPG fast, with AI to help, choose Larch. For 3D, fast action games or consoles, choose Unity or Godot.

Each tool in one line

  • Larch: make visual novels and RPGs in your browser. No code, with AI and real-time co-editing built in.
  • RPG Maker MZ: the classic JRPG maker with a mature event system. Installed on your computer.
  • Unity: a 2D/3D engine that can make anything, but you write C#.
  • Construct 3: a 2D engine in the browser that uses event sheets — great for action and puzzle games.
  • GameMaker: a professional 2D engine scripted in GML, behind many indie hits.
  • Godot: a free, open-source 2D/3D engine scripted in GDScript.
  • Ren’Py: a free visual novel engine where you write the story as a script.
What comes built in — official features only
What comes built in — official features only

Price: what does year one cost?

The least each tool costs if you want to sell your game
The least each tool costs if you want to sell your game
  • Larch: the Free plan can make, export and sell a complete game. Pro is NT$299 a month (about US$9), or NT$2,990 a year.
  • Godot and Ren’Py: free and open source.
  • Unity: free under US$200K revenue; above that, Pro is US$2,310 per seat per year.
  • TyranoBuilder: US$14.99, one-time.
  • RPG Maker MZ: US$79.99, one-time.
  • GameMaker: Professional is US$99.99 one-time; the free tier is non-commercial.
  • Construct 3: Personal is US$129.99 a year; the free edition exports to the web only, with a 50-event limit.

Do you need to code?

Larch, RPG Maker, Construct and TyranoBuilder need no code. Unity uses C#, Godot uses GDScript, GameMaker uses GML, and Ren’Py uses its own script. Unity’s official “Unity Essentials” course is estimated at two weeks; Godot’s first 2D game tutorial assumes some programming experience. Larch’s RPG tutorial takes about ten minutes.

Larch’s story board: one card per moment, a line for every branch
Larch’s story board: one card per moment, a line for every branch

AI: who is furthest ahead?

As of 2026, most engines have no built-in AI, or only an assistant for writing code.

  • Larch: images, expressions, background removal, voice, translation, script import and AI minigames — plus AI characters that answer players inside the game, and AI agents such as Claude Code through MCP.
  • Unity: the Unity AI assistant and generators, paid with credits.
  • GameMaker: a command-line tool, launched in April 2026, that can use Claude Code for code.
  • RPG Maker, Construct, Godot, Ren’Py: no built-in AI.
Larch’s AI dialogue card: in-game characters answer players live
Larch’s AI dialogue card: in-game characters answer players live

Working together: real-time co-editing

In Larch you can invite friends and work on the same board at the same time, like a shared document. None of the other editors we checked has real-time co-editing built in; teams usually swap files through Git or cloud folders.

When it is done: publishing and export

  • Larch: a play link in one click, the Larch store, or exports for the web, Windows EXE, Unity, Godot, Unreal and Ren’Py.
  • Unity, GameMaker, Godot: phone builds; consoles usually need extra licences or porting partners.
  • RPG Maker MZ: Windows, macOS and the web.
  • Construct 3: web, desktop and phones (paid plans).
Larch’s export: links, game engines, the web and Windows
Larch’s export: links, game engines, the web and Windows

Community and market

Games on itch.io tagged with the tool they were made with
Games on itch.io tagged with the tool they were made with

Unity and Godot have the biggest communities and the most tutorials. Larch is newer, and its games are published on Larch’s own store.

Visual novels and RPGs have a big audience
Visual novels and RPGs have a big audience

When not to choose Larch

  • You are making a 3D game.
  • You need fast action or physics.
  • You must ship a native phone app, or release on Switch or PlayStation.

In those cases Unity, Godot or GameMaker will suit you better.

FAQ

Can Larch replace RPG Maker?

For 2D RPGs and story games, Larch covers most of what you need — with nothing to install and real-time co-editing. If you rely on lots of ready-made plugin scripts, or must ship a native phone app, RPG Maker’s ecosystem is more mature.

How is Larch different from Ren’Py?

Ren’Py is written as a script; in Larch you use a board of cards, and a line is a branch — with AI tools on top. Larch can also export a Ren’Py project.

Can I make a game if I can’t draw?

Yes. Official packs may be used commercially, and on Pro AI can paint characters and backgrounds.

Start Larch for free　・　Make your first game in 10 minutes

Sources: official websites and pricing pages, Steam, itch.io, VG Insights and GameDiscoverCo, checked on 1 October 2026. Prices and features change; the official websites are the final word.