Raze
Raze: A free desktop source port that modernizes supported Build games, not a general-purpose engine. Ranked #82 of 91 in Game Engine Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for modders playing and extending supported Build games.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forModders playing and extending supported Build games
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Source code modelOpen_source
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Modern rendering with widescreen and high-resolution display support
- Supports mods, custom content, and ZScript or game-specific CON scripting
- Free, open-source releases for Windows, Linux, and macOS
Where it doesn't
- Works only with supported Build Engine games
- Desktop releases do not target mobile or console export
- Its role is extending existing games, not building games from scratch
Our verdict on Raze
Raze is an open-source source port for several classic Build Engine games, developed by the ZDoom project. It is aimed at players who want contemporary display and rendering features in supported titles, and mod authors extending those games with custom content. This is a focused tool for working within an existing game's compatibility and content ecosystem, rather than a general-purpose engine for creating a new game. Its desktop releases cover Windows, Linux, and macOS.
The standout value is how Raze updates presentation and modification options while keeping its focus on supported games. It provides hardware-accelerated modern rendering and widescreen and high-resolution display support. Mod and custom-content support is paired with ZScript and game-specific CON scripting, while network multiplayer is available for supported games. That makes it relevant to players seeking a modernized way to play and to modders whose work fits the games and scripting options it supports. Compatibility is the key boundary: supported games can vary by release, so prospective users should check that their intended title is covered.
Raze is distributed as free software with publicly available source code, so there are no paid tiers to compare. Its platform scope is desktop only; the listed target platforms are Windows, Linux, and macOS, with no mobile or console export. Documentation and community are the listed support channels. Choose Raze if the goal is to play or extend a supported Build-era game with modern rendering and modding features. Choose a general-purpose game engine instead if you need to create standalone projects, work beyond the supported titles, or target mobile and console platforms.
Your product? Our editors can test Raze in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Raze pricing
Raze fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Source code model | Open_source |
| Visual scripting | No |
| Multiplayer tools | Yes |
| Mobile export | No |
| Console export | No |
| Target platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Scripting languages | ZScript, CON |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, macOS |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | raze.zdoom.org |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Raze
- Godot EngineA flexible open-source engine for 2D, 3D, multiplayer, and XR projects.9.2
- PlayCanvasA capable web-first engine for collaborative 2D and 3D game development.9.0
- GameMakerA focused 2D engine with free non-commercial access and wide export coverage.8.9
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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Raze for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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