i use DirectX 11 and Opengl SE 3 directly, so no game engines. A game engine, even open source, will cause bugs you can't fix because you don't understand the code you didn't write yourself. Sure that makes more work at the start because you have to write your own layers. But in the long run, once you have your own libraries, you save time as there's no upgrade maintenance.
That's of course an opinion only for games you plan to continue for 10 years, not for throw away test games.
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really interresting approach imo so I checked your itch site and instantly was impressed, this game you've released seem to be on the best way to become a masterpiece, a true unique hidden indie-gem. Even thou I could never use the same approach I really find it interresting how much various indie-devs use completely different approaches. Really cool! Maybe you want to check my games as well, imo they are also quite unique in its art and gameplay :)
best regards, love and peace