LÖVE (Love2D)
LÖVE is a “free, open-source, cross-platform framework” (zlib license) for 2D games, scripted in Lua over a C++/SDL/OpenGL backend. The third framework-based 2D engine the synthesis wanted (alongside Flame and Phaser). Source: Wikipedia.
Framework-based, Lua-first
Like phaser and flame-engine, it’s code-against-an-API, no standalone editor — you write Lua
against the love module. Its sweet spot is indie 2D, prototyping, and game jams (Ludum Dare); it
was a top-10 tool on itch.io. Punches above its weight commercially: Balatro (2024), Kingdom Rush,
Move or Die were built on it.
The 2D/framework comparison, now three-wide
With phaser (JS/HTML5), flame-engine (Dart/Flutter) and LÖVE (Lua/native), the spoke can finally contrast framework-based engines on language, host runtime, and target platform — the cross-engine 2D data the open questions said was missing. All three trade a bespoke editor for minimal-footprint, fast-iteration coding — the framework-engine bet.
Related
phaser · flame-engine · bevy · godot-engine