Raze review
A free desktop source port that modernizes supported Build games, not a general-purpose engine.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Raze pros and cons
- 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
Raze fact sheet, pricing and score →
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