Python is one of the most popular coding languages out there. Its easy-to-learn syntax gives flexibility and ease of use. However, Python is not the first coding language that comes to mind when considering video games. With that being said, there are some big games that use Python. The reason behind this may come down to Python’s benefits of being faster than most other languages to write and build. Unlike other computer languages, Python reads like English, making it much simpler for the user to read and work with. It's a powerful and easy-to-use language, and it's easy to see why some games have used this language to develop their games.
10 Best Video Game Swords
Swords are a huge part in gameplay, as so many games have players defeating enemies through this type of weaponry, but which one is the best overall?
Most people may not expect certain titles to be coded in Python, given that most video game engines have their own type of coding that is more optimized for running games in the most seamless manner possible. However, most people would be surprised by the many games that use Python in their coding in some form or another. It's pretty rare, but definitely quite fascinating for people into video games who want to know everything about these titles and how they're developed, down to the very coding language that is used for the same.
Updated on October 29, 2024, by Gerardo Molina: While Python is a simpler coding language than others, such as Whitespace, INTERCAL, or even COW, it still has many of the complexities people would expect to find in a language used for programming games.
Many players who've studied Python at some point in their educational journey might have used the coding language in a very simplistic form, but as this article shows, there are actually many different possibilities that Python opens up for both programmers and players. Without Python, many things indispensable wouldn't exist, which is why this programming language should be cherished and get more praise than it does.
17 The Battle For Wesnoth
A
- Platform(s): PC, Linux, macOS, beOS, Web browser, AmigaOS, MorphOS, Android, iOS
- Release Date: June 18, 2003
- Developer: The Battle for Wesnoth Project, David White
- Genre: Turn-based strategy, Free-to-play strategy
As far as open-source, turn-based strategy games with medieval elements and a lot of fantasy go, The Battle for Wesnoth is among the best. This title will have players explore the vast world the developers crafted for them while discovering many secrets and encountering several foes along the way.
While Python seems to only be one part of a much greater engine, its presence in the game cannot be denied, and neither can its usefulness when it comes to creating and scripting this title, and others similar to it.
16 The Powder Toy
A
- Platform(s): Linux, PC, macOS, Android, iOS
- Release Date: November 27, 2013
- Developer: Jacob1, The Powder Toy Team, Stanislaw K Skowronek, Marcin Chojnacki
- Genre: Simulation Video Game
The Powder Toy isn't the classical action-packed game, but rather an entertaining falling-sand game simulator. This title allows players to create in-game content and share it using its proprietary online-sharing system.
While the game is mainly built on C++, the Python programming language also plays a role in its functioning and development, allowing the simulation game to run smoothly and give players an entertaining experience. Fun fact, according to several sources, the developers host an April Fools event every year, which is a nice touch and an undeniable token of appreciation.
15 Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk
A Simple Task Becomes a Daunting Challenge
Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk
- Released
- November 11, 2022
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC
- Developer
- Nikita Kryukov, Nikita Kaf Productions
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel
The Ren'py visual novel development engine was made using Python, which is why almost every game made using this engine qualifies as a game technically made using Python. One such title that fits the bill is a unique psychological horror game that took over the gaming landscape by storm.
Documenting the journey of a woman riddled with trauma and psychosis who must go to a grocery store and get a bag of milk, it's amazing how such a simple task becomes nightmarish when coupled with the presentation of this game. Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk Inside A Bag Of Milk is an unnerving title that will make its players sympathize with a broken protagonist who must overcome her fears every day.
14 Slay The Princess
A Constant Loop Forcing Players To Make One Decision After Another
Slay the Princess
Most fantasy stories revolve around a noble warrior who must save a princess from evil forces time and time again. So, it's nice to see a game like Slay the Princess bend this trope and make the princess the true antagonist of the game.
Players are stuck in a loop as they either slay or save the game's princess, leading to riveting dialogue and events every single time. It's a simple gameplay loop that is perfected to a T and lets players enjoy a terrifying adventure that will truly grip players by the time its Eldritch influences come to the surface.
13 Katawa Shoujo
A Feel-good Story With Personable Characters
- Platform(s): PC
- Release Date: January 4, 2012
- Developer: Four Leaf Studios
- Genre: Visual novel
A game that takes a sobering and respectful look at how people live with disabilities, Katawa Shoujo is a sensitive and eye-opening visual novel that fans should check out. The writing is excellent and does a great job of humanizing its characters.
17 Greatest Visual Novels Made In Ren'Py
The Ren'Py engine has been used to create plenty of great visual novels, but a few games stand out from the crowd.
Despite relying on age-old visual novel tropes, Katawa Shoujo more than makes up for its lack of innovation with strong characterization and a feel-good story for the ages. It's easy to see why this title has quickly become one of the best visual novels that fans can check out.
12 Star Trek: Bridge Commander
A Title That Successfully Simulates Space Travel In The Star Trek Universe
- Platform(s): PC
- Release Date: February 28, 2002
- Developer: Totally Games
- Genre: Space combat simulator
It's a shame that not many great Star Trek games are being made right now. This space-faring IP is perfect for games that make the most of its grand universe. However, players have to look to the past if they want to check out fun games that use the world of Star Trek to great effect.
One such title is Star Trek: Bridge Commander, a game that focuses on simulating space combat and does a great job of it. The storyline of this game is pretty decent and features many familiar characters, adding to the authenticity of the experience.
11 Doki Doki Literature Club!
A Horror Game That Appears Harmless At First
Doki Doki Literature Club!
- Released
- September 22, 2017
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Developer
- Team Salvato
- Genre(s)
- Visual Novel, Horror
Renpy is one of the most popular engines used to develop a slew of visual novels, and the name itself makes it clear that this engine works using Python as a base. One of the most popular games made using the Renpy engine is Doki Doki Literature Club!, which became a viral sensation upon its release.
The game starts off as a run-of-the-mill visual novel before things take a turn for the worse. No player could anticipate the twist in this game's tale, turning into a full-on horror game that messes with the player and has some clever things to say about the role that people play in the video games they love.
10 Frets On Fire
A Great Addition To The Ever-expanding Repertoire Of Rhythm Games
- Platform(s): PC
- Release Date: August 3, 2006
- Developer: Unreal Voodoo
- Genre: Rhythm
Players who love Guitar Hero or Rock Band will love what Frets on Fire has to offer. The best part about this game is that it's completely free, allowing players to download this game along with numerous custom tracks to hone their skills on whatever track they wish. Given the popularity of good rhythm games, it's easy to see why Frets on Fire became such a popular title.
6 Possible Leaders for Egypt in Civilization 7
Civilization 7 would have a wide range of options for other Egyptian leaders and these are the best possible ones.
Fans of fun rhythm games that are easy to get into will love Frets on Fire, with fan support for this title being pretty impressive indeed. Python has been used to code various facets of this title, and it's clear that the developers knew what they were doing when they formed this amazing musical extravaganza that will keep players entertained for a long time.
9 Vega Strike
A Rich Sci-Fi Emulation Game
- Platform(s): PC
- Release Date: February 19, 2002
- Developer: The Vega Strike Team
- Genre: Space simulation
Python has been used to develop many open-source video games, and one such title that players absolutely adore is Vega Strike. This game has a massive scope and essentially functions as a space simulator where players can engage in everything from intergalactic trading to full-blown space combat that can be quite enthralling to witness in its own right.
Fans of deep simulation games with a sci-fi twist will love what Vega Strike has to offer, and many players simply can't believe that this game is completely free! The systems in this game are extremely deep, and it's not unsurprising for players to jump in for a quick session only to watch hours pass by like it's nothing.
8 Unknown Horizons
A Free-to-play City-building Title That's Lots Of Fun
- Platform(s): PC
- Release Date: October 1, 2008
- Developer: The Unknown Horizons Team
- Genre: City-building, real-time strategy
Another free game makes an appearance in the form of Unknown Horizons, a city-building simulation game that is pretty engaging in its own way. The title is still being updated to this day, but most people can't really complain about the slow pace of the updates given that this game costs the grand total of zero dollars!
The city-building gameplay is pretty deep and engaging, even if later increments are yet to be integrated into the game. Players who want to pass their time playing a satisfying simulation game will find Unknown Horizons to be right up their alley!