Although Microsoft and macOS are the most common operating systems when it comes to gaming, Linux is slowly becoming a favorite for gamers.
The introduction of open-source games has also significantly changed the gaming world by giving players and other developers the ability to study, download, and modify the code as they see fit.
What is an Open Source Game?
An open-source game is a video game that allows users, programmers, and developers to download the game’s source code and make changes to it. Most open-source games are free because most developers do it for fun and not necessarily to make money from it.
Open-source games are loved by many because they focus more on user experience and you can also contribute to features, learn new skills, and explore different concepts.
Below is a list of 15 most addictive, free and fun open-source games that can be supported on Linux and are sure to provide gamers with a memorable experience.
- Minetest
If you’re a fan of Minecraft, then you’ll love Minetest. Minetest is an open-source voxel game that supports multiplayer games and subgames. It is primarily written in C++ which means it’s significantly faster compared to games written in script language. The game was released in November 2010 and is greatly influenced by Minecraft.
Minetest features a user-friendly A.I and runs smoothly on Linux, Windows, and Android, among others.
Some pros and cons of Minetest include:
Pros
- Free.
- It’s fast and clean.
- It’s easily customized using Lua.
- Can be played across platforms.
Cons
- The graphics aren’t as good compared to Minecraft.
- SuperTuxKart
SuperTuxKart is a free and open-source arcade racer game with a variety of modes and tracks to play. It can be supported on Linux, macOS, Windows, and Android. The latest versions of this game use Irrlicht which is written in C++. It was first released in August 2007 and has since undergone several updates over the years.
Some pros and cons of SuperTuxKart include:
Pros
- Great graphics.
- Variety of tracks.
- Great theme music.
- Easy to control.
Cons
- Some users claim the movement is slow.
- Battle for Wesnoth
The Battle for Wesnoth is a high fantasy open-source game designed by developer David White and was first released in June 2003. In the game, the player attempts to build an army by controlling villages. The game features both single-player and online multiplayer combat.
It is also written in C++ and supported on Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and BeOS.
Some pros and cons of Battle for Wesnoth include:
Pros
- It has multiple player options.
- Has great graphics.
- It’s available in more than 50 languages.
- Has a consistent storyline.
Cons
- Hefty download size.
- Xonotic.
Xonotic is a first-person shooter game that was first released in September 2011. It’s a free and open-source game with amazing graphics that are supported on both Linux and Windows operating systems.
It was initially released in September 2011 and runs on the darkplaces engine.
Some pros and cons of Xonotic include:
Pros
- Has multiple game modes.
- Has cross-platform support.
- Has amazing graphics.
- Cool weapon designs.
Cons
- Boring AI bots.
- O.A.D
O.A.D (pronounced “zero ey-dee”) was first released in July 2017 by Wildfire Games and focuses on the years between 500 BC and 1 BC. This ancient warfare game takes players back in time with its unique graphics and images. It’s open-source and free to download meaning anyone can play.
O.A.D can also be supported on multiple platforms like Linux, Windows, and OS X.
Some pros and cons of O.A.D include:
Pros
- Has good details and graphics.
- Offers multiplatform support.
- Has a multiplayer option.
- It’s free.
- Offers translation and local support.
Cons
- Can be a bit confusing for beginners.
- Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead
Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead is a horror-like turn-based video game set in a post-apocalyptic world. It was released in January 2017 by Kevin Granade and a community of other developers and is an offshoot of the original Cataclysm by Zachary “Whales” Jenkins. The game is written in C++ and is free and open source.
Another great feature of Cataclysm is it can be supported on a variety of platforms including Linux.
Some pros and cons of CDDA include:
Pros
- Can be supported on multiple platforms
- It’s free.
- Has a lot of features.
- Encourages creativity.
Cons
- Highly dependent on the player.
- Difficult to learn.
- Endless Sky
Endless Sky is a free and open-source 2D game set in space. It is a remake of Escape Velocity and gives you the option to earn money while carrying passengers, completing missions, or trading. The story is engaging and you get to navigate space as a trader and discover new worlds.
The game is written in C++ and downloads for the game are available on macOS, Linux, and Windows.
Some pros and cons of Endless Sky include:
Pros
- There are hundreds of worlds to explore.
- Simple and interesting gameplay.
- Has multiple ways to play different mods.
- Can be played across platforms.
- Has low system requirements.
Cons
- Can get boring.
- Warzone 2100
Another great open-source game is Warzone 2100, an action packed game that can be played in both single and multiplayer modes. The game was originally developed by pumpkin studios and published by Eidos Interactive. It was first released in 1999 for Windows and Sony PlayStation but it is now available on many modern platforms (macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and more).
This game is also written in C++ and has an extensive tech tree that allows you to choose from over 400 different technologies.
Some pros and cons of Warzone 2100 include:
Pros
- Has a big tech tree.
- It’s free.
- It has a multiplayer option.
Cons
- None
- Unciv
Unciv, also written as UnCiv, is a free civilization-style strategy game written in Kotlin. The game was developed by Yair Morgenstern and is an open-source remake of the 2010 Civilization V game. It can be supported on Windows, Linux, and Android.
Some pros and cons of Unciv include
Pros
- It’s fast.
- Easy to mod.
- It’s lightweight and can run on old devices.
- Extremely addictive.
Cons
- The graphics are basic.
- Some players have complained of bugs.
- FlightGear
Flightgear is a flight simulation game that was originally built as an alternative to the Microsoft Flight Simulator. The game is an open-source multi-platform game that was first released in July 1997.
Flight gear incorporates live weather patterns and storms which give players a sophisticated and realistic flight experience.
It operates in Windows, Linux, Oracle, and a variety of other operating systems.
Some pros and cons of Flightgear include:
Pros
- It’s free.
- Has scenery from all over the world.
- Has a multiplayer option.
Cons
- Slow text-to-speech feature.
- Hedgewars
Hedgewars is a turn-based strategy artillery and action game that was first released in November 2006. It is an interesting open-source game that provides several customization options to your game modes and hedgehog.
Players familiar with WarMUX will see a number of similarities but Hedgewars offers a better and more memorable user experience. Hedgewars can be supported on macOS, Linux, and Windows platforms.
Some pros and cons of Hedgewars include:
Pros
- Has a large selection of weapons.
- It’s free and stable.
Cons
- None so far.
- Nethack
Nethack is a single player, open-source, dungeon and dragons inspired game that was first released in July 1987. It runs on a variety of operating systems which include Linux, Windows, iOS, and Windows. The Nethack development team made sure that each game presents a different landscape with a variety of dungeons.
The game is programmed in C, which is a portable language that works on many systems.
Some pros and cons of Nethack include:
Pros
- Challenging but fun.
- Has depth.
Cons
- It is a single player game.
- StepMania
StepMania is a free to download open source dance game that challenges players to hit arrow keys at the right time. The game was first released in August 2001 and has since evolved into an expandable rhythm-based game.
Its wide customization options have made it a fan favorite over the years with players having the option to create their own dance moves. StepMania is also available on Linux, Mac, and Windows operating systems.
Some pros and cons of StepMania include:
Pros
- Free to download.
- Fun for all ages.
- Can be for both home and arcade use.
- Can be used for workouts.
Cons
- None so far.
- Stunt Rally
Stunt Rally is a fun-filled multiplayer game that incorporates a vast range of stunt elements like pipes, ramps, and loops. It was released in September 2000 and is quite similar to the 1990 game called stunts. Stunt Rally is written in C++ which makes it much easier to manipulate the code. The game is supported on Linux and Windows.
Some of Stunt Rally’s features include a multiplayer option, a track editor, 34 landscapes, and a split screen option which is great when playing with friends.
Some pros and cons of Stunt Rally include:
Pros
- Has a variety of tracks.
- It’s free to download.
- Multiplayer option.
Cons
- None so far.
- The Dark Mod
If you enjoyed the old thief series by Looking Glass Studios, then you’ll love The Dark Mod. The Dark Mod is a first-person open source stealth game where the player uses different tools to avoid threats and advance through scenarios.
The game was first released in October 2009 and can be played on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Some pros and cons of Dark Mod include:
Pros
- Free to download.
- Tons of free missions.
- You can create your mission.
- A great follow-up of the thief series
Cons
- Can be difficult for beginners.
Conclusion
There’s an endless number of free and fun open source games available online which makes it hard for us to only focus on one. With a variety of features including customizable options and multiplayer abilities, these games are definitely worth the try.