The BEST of Open-Source Games

What they are, and tips on finding them.

By Whiskey144 on August 27, 2009 4:36:17 PM from

Okay, so I've seen quite a few threads on good open source games (having made two myself), and decided to compile a list of them. Anyone who notes that I've missed one or more, please provide a name, short (and accurate) description, as well as a link.

Here's the beginning-

Vega Strike- an absolutely awesome Free-Form style Space Sim, that has some campaign/story elements, if you choose the right path. Search for http://vegastrike.sourceforge.net and you should find it.

FreeOrion- still under development, I found myself enjoying this open-source TBS 4X game. Search for FreeOrion, you should be able to find it very easily. The Research subjects are interesting, and its in a playable state as well. The only thing I really don't like is that it takes REALLY LONG TIMES to do, well, anything. Find it at http://freeorion.sourceforge.net.

Warzone 2100- originally a commercial title RTS, but released as open source, I love this one a lot. Researching advanced weapons technologies, materials tech, and hull/propulsion/production designs is pretty neat. The best part though is that it has an IN-GAME unit designer. Choose from different hulls, propulsion systems, and weapons/support turrets. Googleing it should turn up the proper results. Once again, SourceForge is the place to get it (I think, may be wrong, so GOOGLE!!)

Star Wraith: Shadows of Orion- while not actually open-source, the publisher, Star Wraith 3D Games, has decided to release this as free download (no adware in it, I've played it a good amount, trust me). The Campaign is pretty nice, and so is the mode where you simply run or create a mission. Overall, an excellent older game. Get it from the official SW3DG site, under the 'Other Games' or 'Downloads' pages. One or the other, forget which. A space-sim, like VS.

Star Wraith IV: Reviction- the sequel to SW:SoO, it has also been released for free. Pretty much the same thing, but with a new campaign (unsure, Campaign won't work for me). Same site.

RiftSpace- an SP-only free-form space sim. Same site as the other SW3DG titles.

The Ur-Quan Masters- the freeware open-source released version of Star Control II. I'm pretty sure everyone knows what that is.

PiArmada- a space strategy combat TBS game, it is based in the Vega Strike universe (I believe, as it won't work for me ATM). Open-source; it should be obtainable from the Vega Strike forums.

Thousand Parsec- a TBS 4X-style game, it is being converted to the Vega Strike universe. It can run with SP, but is intended as an MMO-style game.

There may be others, I don't know all of them.

EDIT: Added several more; I am unsure of the links though Google (or Bing if that floats your boat) should fill in there-

Spring- an RTS engine/game based on Total Annihilation. Different 'mod' packs for different games.

Battle For Wesnoth- fantasy-based TBS game.

FreeCiv- based on Sid Meier's Civilizations, an MP TBS workstation/PC game.

+58 Karma | 35 Replies

Spring. Its a free, open-source RTS developed as a sort of sequel to Total Annihilation.

The Battle for Wesnoth is a turn-based strategy game with a fantasy theme.

http://www.wesnoth.org/

Freeciv is a multiplayer, turn-based strategy game for workstations and personal computers inspired by the commercial proprietary Sid Meier's Civilization

http://freeciv.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

SpardaSon21, Spring is ACTUALLY an engine. You must obtain other files to play I believe.

But definitely others that I forgot.

I suppose I meant TA: Spring then. The installer for TA:S gives you the option to install several different mods off the internet, and it uses the same lobby system for all mods, and automatically loads a mod when you join a game that uses a specific mod. The line between engine and game is a bit blurry, since most people use the Spring engine to play TA: Spring.

Dwarf Fotress. I'm not entirely sure if it is considered open source, but you can access the original source code (mostly so people can optimize the coding, and resubmit it to be tested, as the game runs much slower than it could). It is also heavily moddable via the raws.

Its not Open Source, its Donation-ware (read free but you should give ToadyOne money) and Still in Alpha...

Dwarf Fortress!

www.bay12games.com or http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/dev_now.html (dev log)

Probably one of the most frustratly entertaing games. Its Ui is pure horror and the game is in ASCII by default. However the depth is something else all together. It has a very strong community at bay12 forums and many others.

The game itself plays like a god game/digging game/combat/exploration/world simulator/dwarfyness generator. Its Dwarf Fortress - its not for everyone but its awesome.

Right now Toady - the Programmer, is what could be described as 80ish % of the way through with the next major update to the game and keeps a nearly daily dev log. The update has a major overhaul of the combat and damage systems, a huge update to the underground layers (map spaning caverns, endless attacks, tons of cool stuff).

I would recommend mike maydays graphic pack if you can't take the ASCII http://mayday.w.staszic.waw.pl/df.php

Edit: alway beat me guess i'm too long winded

made links link

If your a Babylon 5 Fan

http://ifh.babylonfive.ru/

I remember the first time I played, I was in a Earth Force Fighter and was tasked to escort a convoy from raiders. The Raiders came, I hit full thrust and that was it, the game uses real physics in it's flight model, I soared off into space, quite funny actually but very frustrating at the time.

Nexiuz is a great open source FPS: http://www.alientrap.org/nexuiz/

Battle for wesnoth used to be sooooooo fun!!!!

Tremulous, a free, open source shooter-- with a twist... 1. bases. (you lose your telenodes, you cant spawn!) 2. aliens (with really sharp claws).

base game:

http://tremulous.net/

Updated, and awsome client (preety much required... read the install instructions)

http://www.tremfusion.net/

and then check out my clans server, korx1 and 2... which is modded tremulous... with a BFG 9000 and other awsome stuff thrown in.

Oh, and another note on Dwarf Fortress... Don't play it if you don't have a lot of spare time you don't mind losing. Dwarf Fortress ate my June.

UFO Alien Invasion - An open-source re-make of X-Com

http://ufoai.sourceforge.net

yeah, I've heard of Tremulous. I'll update the OP later today.

Infiniminer, C++ game where you go mining as a team.

hmm, I think I'll look that one up myself too.

Amazingly, no one has mentioned perhaps one of the single greatest FPSes of all time? (not halo)

"Become the path. Eat the path."

On that B5 one, not entirely sure what to do with it. It seems it has chapters and not an actual game. Any pointers?

Amazingly, no one has mentioned perhaps one of the single greatest FPSes of all time? (not halo)

"Become the path. Eat the path."

Of course! Marathon is awesome...especially with the hi-res add-ons.

Indeed.

Also, be SURE to give a couple of the TCs a try - I HIGHLY suggest Rubicon as a good starting point.

Whilst not everyone will consider a flight simulator to be a game, how about Flightgear??

Star Control II is now open source, and it's awesome.

The Ur-Quan Masters if the freeware/open-source version of SC-II.

Another flight sim I'll need to note is GL-117. It's an older one, but it has combat aspects, which is what many look for in flight sims.

And I just looked at some of the bonus aircraft D/Lable for FlightGear. Some of these are combat craft; do they have working weapons and are there combat missions, or is this just a combat aircraft that is basically doing flight training?

Amazingly, no one has mentioned perhaps one of the single greatest FPSes of all time? (not halo)

"Become the path. Eat the path."

Of course! Marathon is awesome...especially with the hi-res add-ons.

Indeed.

Also, be SURE to give a couple of the TCs a try - I HIGHLY suggest Rubicon as a good starting point.

Eternal X is another great add-on...

Here's another open source game, similar to Settlers I and II: Widelands

http://wl.widelands.org/

Quoting Whiskey144,

reply 22

do they have working weapons and are there combat missions, or is this just a combat aircraft that is basically doing flight training?

To the best of my knowledge Flightgear does not include combat of any description. I've not spent much time with it though so I may be wrong

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The BEST of Open-Source Games

What they are, and tips on finding them.