Courtesy of open-source software, you could not only save a large amount of cash but also get the chance to make amendments to the code so that the application better fits your needs. When it comes to video games, most of the popular titles won’t be open-source. With that being said, if you look hard enough, you’re going to find a plethora of open-source games on the Internet.
Although such games are only a Google search away, it should be noted that there is a wide variety of open-source games out there, so it might take quite a while for you to get to the best ones. Considering this, FOSSLinux thought to do all the research for you and compile this list of the best free and open-source games to play in 2020.
Top Open-Source Games to Play All-time!
So, let’s cut to the chase and see what the open-source gaming world has in store for us.
1. Xonotic
Xonotic First Person Shooter Game
Unlike the widespread belief that open-source games don’t put too much emphasis on the graphical aspect, Xonotic seems to prove otherwise. If you’re interested in an entirely free-to-play first-person shooter game, you can’t go wrong by opting for this title. Selling itself as ‘The Free and Fast Arena Shooter,’ Xonotic boasts intuitive mechanics, in-your-face action, and not to mention, a whole lot of weapons. More specifically, players can get their hands on 16 full weapons and nine core weapons. For beginners, we recommend choosing the weapon wisely as they can decide the fate of the game.
When it comes to game modes, oh boy, does Xonotic have a lot to showcase? First of all, there are the primary game modes such as Capture The Flag, Deathmatch (FFA), and Clan Area. However, owing to the open-source nature of this game and the efforts of its community, players would be able to play a bunch of other game modes, which include Freeze Tag and Nexball. Xonotic also brings to the table 25 maps for users to play, but the real fun is playing in the community-developed ones. Also, players can make maps of their own with the help of the game’s in-built map editor.
However, if you plan on playing this title offline, it is worth noting that Xonotic doesn’t have the most competitive bots out there. Luckily, the game has enough players for you to play on multiplayer mode. All-in-all, Xonotic would make an excellent game for players jumping ships to open-source titles from FPS games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Fortnite. What makes this game even better is the fact that it can smoothly be run on any operating system of your choice Linux, Windows 10, macOS—you name it.
2. SuperTuxKart
Supertuxkart Game Play
Now, if you’re a fan of retro games like Mario Kart, this title should be enough to get your attention. SuperTuxKart is a 3D racing game that you can play both offline against the computer or with your friends and also on the Internet on Multiplayer mode. Plus, there are several Grand Prix cups that players can participate in and even the good old’ Time Trial mode, where players would have to beat the clock. Other than that, the title also comes with a story mode where players would have to rescue the Mascot Kingdom from the wrath of an evil character called Nolok. Speaking of characters, SuperTuxKart has a whole range of them, with the main characters being Tux (our beloved Linux penguin), Gnu (Tux’s wise mentor), and Nolok (the bad guy).
When it comes to the graphics, SuperTuxKart does a pretty decent job in that department as well. Players can get their hands on several tracks that are not only fun to race on but also aesthetically pleasing. Besides, it is also possible for players to make their arenas, tracks, and characters and share them with the rest of the community here—now, how cool is that?
Although this title can be pretty fun to play with your friends and family, it can get a bit stagnant when you’re playing it by yourself. However, if that doesn’t concern you, there’s no stopping you from getting SuperTuxKart on your Linux, macOS, and Windows-based systems. There’s also a SuperTuxKart app available on Google Play Store that you might be interested in.
3. 0 A.D.
0 A.D. Gameplay
If you didn’t get bored by your history classes all that much and are also interested in playing a real-time strategy game, then you might want to have a look at this title right here. It’s common knowledge that the calendar began from 1 A.D., and thus, 0 A.D. never existed… but what if it did? The whole game revolves around the possible events that could have taken place if this year ever existed in our history. In this game, the developers have aimed to give players a taste of some of the major civilizations that existed between 500 B.C. to 500 A.D. Now; these civilizations will come with their own set of strengths, weaknesses, buildings, and units, so you should put some thought into deciding yours. Moreover, if you’ve ever played Age of Empires, you’re going to love 0 A.D., we can bet you that.
Although this game is still in the alpha phase (which means that it’s not fully ready yet), players will even get their hands on a bunch of civilizations, citizen soldiers, and technologies of the olden times. Other than offering an accurate depiction of that era, the title also succeeds in giving players worthwhile gameplay, which is their top focus. The graphics of this game are honestly of no match to those of this era, but they are still enough for players to have an immersive experience. On the downside, beginners could have a hard time figuring out how this game works. Luckily, there is an easy-to-follow tutorial that will be enough for most players to get started with the game.
Also, the game is under active development, so you can expect a lot more features coming in short intervals. If coming up with strategies on the fly and conquering civilizations is your thing, then you should give a shot to 0 A.D., which supports Windows, macOS, and Linux.
4. Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup
It’s about time we include an open-source role-playing game to our list, and Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup seems to be the best one out there. The game looks similar to popular titles such as Dungeons and Dragons and also mostly works the same way. However, what makes this game such a draw is the fact that players have the freedom to go for either the ASCII or the tile-based interface. The game has been under active development for over several years, so the chances are that it’s only going to get better and better. Not only that, but another great thing about Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup is its unmatched replayability, which is rarely seen in games of this sort.
Apart from the offline story mode, you would also get the chance to compete against other players from different parts of the world. Plus, there are multiple classes to choose from, which come with their unique abilities, so there is an element of strategy in this game as well. Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup also takes care of some of the boring parts of role-playing games as it allows players to go to the point of interest by merely pressing the “O” key and move to the nearest monster with the “Tab” key. Although this game is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, Mac users could come across a few bugs during gameplay. Moreover, if you fell in love with this game so much, know that you can also find it on Google Play Store as well. And, in case you don’t want to download anything, you can always play it online here.
5. Minetest
Minetest Gameplay
If you like mining all day, mining all night, and mining non-stop, then Minetest is just the open-source game for you. Similar to games like Minecraft and Roblox, this title allows players to explore a vast world with enormous maps that can span up to 62,000 × 62,000 × 62,000 blocks, so you can’t run out of space even if you wanted to. Plus, there is a whole range of games that you can play either on your own or with other players on the Internet. As for the graphics of this game, they are not that bad in themselves, but they can be a bit of a downgrade if you’re jumping ships from titles like Minecraft.
Because of the open-source nature of this game, Minetest can be significantly modified to your liking. Courtesy of over a 1000 available mods, players would get the chance to change textures, install new maps, and play new game modes. Although the built-in weather is missing from Minetest, even that can be installed using a mod. So, the possibilities are endless, and the replayability reaches new heights, all thanks to the presence of mods. Plus, if you know a thing or two about programming, you can easily make mods of your own with the help of its Lua API. Other than being available on Linux, Windows, and macOS, Minetest also offers support for DragonFly BSD, OpenBSD, and FreeBSD. Android users can also get their hands on Minetest from here.
6. Battle of Wesnoth
Battle of Wesnoth Gameplay
Now, this is a title that strategy-based gaming fans would love. Before going for this game, we should tell you that it has a massive world for you to explore, and the level of replayability is impeccable so that you can get hooked up to Battle of Wesnoth for quite a while. Moreover, although its graphics aren’t cutting-edge, players would still find the world of Wesnoth and its battles quite immersive. Singleplayer combat allows players to battle it out with highly-intelligent bots, but if you’re in the mood for competing against real players, then multiplayer action is for you.
Battle of Wesnoth also offers a few elements of RPG, as players can choose from seven different factions and also upgrade their units. Speaking of units, there are more than 200 units available, and each of them comes with their pros and cons. The open-source nature of the game also allows programmers to show off their skills and create add-ons for not only themselves but other players too. Moreover, if any of the players have a hard time understanding English, the game provides you with an option to choose from more than 30 different languages. Besides the cross-platform support for Windows, macOS, and Linux, Battle of Wesnoth can also be found on Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
7. Teeworlds
Teeworlds
If retro games are your thing, then you should give a shot to Teeworlds. This game is set in a retro-style world similar to the one you’ve seen in Super Mario, but the catch is that you can only beat your enemies by shooting at them. However, you should know that it’s an online multiplayer game, so you’d be needing an internet connection to play it. When it comes to game modes, Teeworlds features a whole range of them, which include Capture The Flag and Team Deathmatch. Not only that, but each game can have up to 16 players. Apart from that, the game is well-renowned for its community, so best believe that you’re always going to find other players to play with.
What makes Teeworlds even better is the fact that even if you’re on a low skill level, you’ll still get a ton of fun out of this title as it isn’t that complicated. Mastering this game could take quite a while for total newbies. Also, if you feel like channeling your inner creativity, you can design your maps and invite other others to give them a shot. Regardless of whether your system is based on Windows, macOS, and Linux, it will still be able to run Teeworlds.
8. Endless Sky
Endless Sky
For those of you who always wanted to explore the space, Endless Sky is just the game for you. With this title, players can engage in space trading and combat in a two-dimensional galaxy, which consists of multiple star systems to be explored. You would be in control of a space ship that comes with a highly-weaponized body. Similar to the real world, you will have to buy upgrades using your money, but the catch is that making money will require you to complete missions, carry passengers, and trade. With this money, you can new space ships and even upgrade your engines and weapons. Endless Sky is truly endless, so you need not worry about sticking to the human race forever, as you can always make friends with aliens who have a culture of their own.
The game also has a very long, detailed story to it, so you’d have to play for tens of hours for it to unfold completely. Other than that, this title has been developed in such a way that it makes it easier for it to be modded. Accordingly, you can always contribute to this project if you feel like it. On the downside, you’ll have to play this game yourself without any company as it doesn’t come with a multiplayer mode. Just like the other titles we’ve discussed up till now, Endless Sky is available on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
9. Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead
Cataclysm Dark Days Ahead
The game has dungeons and zombies; what’s not to love about it? This roguelike survival game isn’t for the faint-hearted. There are tons of elements in the game that can leave you spooked. Apart from that, Cataclysm: DDA features turn-based gameplay that can be enjoyed for most players out there. This game is set in a post-apocalyptic New England, and players would have to survive. Although the Cataclysm: DDA lore can be a bit average, there is a lot to discover in this game, so you need not worry about finishing it any time soon. Even if you do, the game has immense replay value.
Although some might say that the game falls short in the graphics department, the ASCII style has been a part of roguelike games since forever, and the fans of this genre admire it to this very day. However, if the ASCII graphics aren’t your thing, you can always go for the replacement tilesets that also go well with this game. The only shortcoming of this game is that it can get a bit too easy at times. If that doesn’t bother you, you can go ahead and install Cataclysm: DDA on your Windows, Linux, macOS, and BSD-based computers. Installing it can be a tad bit complicated, but all the necessary guidelines are mentioned on its Github page.
10. Freedoom
Freedoom Gameplay
If you’ve been gaming ever since your early childhood, you must have come across Doom. The title still holds an exceptional place in most of our hearts, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t get a taste of its nostalgia once again. Although Doom isn’t completely open-source, we have Freedoom right here, which is the FOSS version of the game. This game is built for the Doom engine, but what makes this game even better is the fact that players can install a plethora of mods on it. Or, instead of installing, you can even make your own since it is that easy, provided that you know a thing or two about programming.
Regardless of whether you want to play this game alone or with friends, Freedoom has got you covered. It features two single-player campaigns and a multiplayer deathmatch as well. So, Freedoom is a must-try for anyone who’s been missing the classic FPS games. To play this game on your PC, you’d have to couple it with a game engine. Freedoom is only a click away for Android gamers.
Conclusion
If you’re short on money and want to give new games a try, then you should have a look at the open-source world and see what it has in store for you. The games that we’ve mentioned in this list are all widely acclaimed by players, so there’s a good chance that you’ll at least find one of them enjoyable. Nonetheless, there are plenty of other open-source and free games that are available on the Internet. So, if you have experience playing one that is not a part of our list, you should head to the comment section below and tell us all about it.
2 comments
Very good article!
I just wish Cube 2: Sauerbraten made the list! It’s a classic.
Please add Flare RPG next time.