Best 25 Linux Games for 2008

ablaye · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 10:59 PM

If you’re interested in games for a Linux platform, then you know that game probably is open source, free from cost in most cases, and free to modify. The latter attribute is why Linux games are so popular…a developer can take a great game and make it even better, share it with the world, and become a hero. So, why waste your time and money on proprietary games when so many great Linux games are available?

We’ve listed the top 25 Linux games for 2008 below. While we believe that Spring is definitely tops on the 2008 list, we had a difficult time aligning the other games by numerical order. Therefore, take those numbers with a grain of salt, because each game is so different and it’s the best in its league. Take FreeCiv, for instance (#3) - some players will love this game, yet others will like the simplicity of Battle for Wesnoth even better (#6). Or, some people may not like civilization games at all, as they may be addicted (and will continue to be addicted) to the older game, Tux Racer (#18).

ablaye · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:03 PM

Spring - (Linux, Windows) If you’re looking forward to 2008 rather than backward to 2007, then look to Spring (also known as TA Spring or Total Annihilation: Spring) as the open source game of the year. TA Spring currently can execute most of Total Annihilation’s original gameplay flawlessly with its original units in their original format. Large battles are limited only by your computer’s power, with support for up to 5,000 units. You’ll wage those battles on large, highly detailed 3D maps with camera modes that allow you to view the battle scene from almost any angle. Games are played using one of a number of mods. Price: The core game is released under GPL License. Fortunately as of now, there are also two mods which have been released under the GNU/GPL, and several more which do not have clear licence terms (owned by their modder). However, there are also several mods for which some parts are still under copyright of Atari. For these you need to own the original TA game if you want to play.

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ablaye · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:06 PM

Tremulous - (Linux, Windows, Mac) This is a free open source team-based first-person shooter (FPS) with a game play similar to Gloom for Quake 2. NS. Tremulous features a two team FPS, humans and aliens, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Players on both teams are able to build working structures in-game RTS elements. The overall objective behind Tremulous is to eliminate the opposing team. This is achieved by not only killing the opposing players but also removing their ability to respawn by destroying their spawn structures. The game has been downloaded over 200,000 times. It was voted “Player’s Choice Standalone Game of the Year” in Mod Database’s “Mod of the Year” 2006 competition, and it placed fifth in the annual Moddb.com competition among Indie games in 2007. This, despite the fact that a new version hasn’t been released since early 2006.
Price: Free.

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ablaye · #4 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:24 PM

FreeCiv - (Linux, Windows, Mac) The open source game FreeCiv begins in prehistory where your mission is to lead your tribe from the stone age to the space age. This game is similar to the popular PC Civilization series created by Sid Meier. Freeciv is a turn-based multiplayer strategy game, in which each player becomes the leader of a civilization that fights to become the greatest civilization in history. Your goal is to build cities, collect resources, organize your government, and build an army. This is probably one of the most addictive and widely acclaimed open source empire-building strategy games around. The game supports three rulesets, an almost mind-numbing array of features, tweaks, and options, along with a set of unofficial options that will keep you busy for the rest of your life. The game is so popular that it's been translated into twenty-nine different languages. Freeciv supports up to 30 players and LAN/Internet play. Price: Free.

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ablaye · #5 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:24 PM

Nexuiz - (Linux, Windows, Mac) Nexuiz has been in development for close to 5 years by a team of amateur developers called Alientrap, lead by Lee Vermeulen. Their goal is to create fun action games that remain free, yet that compete with commercial game titles. Nexuiz is a 3d deathmatch game made entirely over the internet. The purpose of the game is to bring deathmatch back to the basics, with perfect weapon balancing and fast paced action, keeping itself away from the current trend of realistic shooters. It uses HFX textures by Evil Lair, and currently has 27 maps to frag in. With an advanced UI, the user can select between 15 different player models to use, with an average of two skins for each, and can connect to a master server to play people from all over the world. This game is an open source, cross platform, first person shooter. The current version, 2.2.3, was released in January 2007. Price: Free.

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ablaye · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:25 PM

Alien Arena - (Linux, Windows) Alien Arena’s real-time turn-based strategy action has been frantic, fast, and fun. The game contained a single player campaign, but the multi-player action was outstanding. Why are we speaking in the past tense? Because gamers now can enjoy version 6.10 of Alien Arena, with major changes, enhancements, and surprises. Alien Action first was released in October, 2004. Since that initial release, nearly every aspect of the game has been revamped. It’s like an entirely new game. The newest version includes seven brand new arenas with sound, a more balanced and responsive weapon set (including a new weapon - the Violator!), and the ability to 1-to-1 through a duel mode. Input and netcode are improved, resulting in fluid gameplay even at 150+ pings. Last, but not least, CURL is implemented, allowing for much faster map and content downloads. Price: Free.

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(If you already have Alien Arena 2007, you will need to install version 6.10 over top of your existing installation in order to patch it.)

ablaye · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:26 PM

Battle For Wesnoth - (Linux, Windows, Mac) Fight a desperate battle to reclaim the throne of Wesnoth, or take hand in any number of other adventures in the just-released version 1.3.15. The game is set in a fantasy environment with 16 races and 6 factions. There are over 200 units which yield different types of weapons and abilities. There are six major races available to the player. These include humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, undead and drakes. As the game progresses, the player can ally with other races such saurians, merfolk, nagas, ogres, trolls and woses. The game supports online play for you to challenge up to 8 of your friends. Some players will prefer Wesnoth over Freeciv due to its accessibility. The Web site alone is entertaining, with a history of the game and of Wesnoth, along with characterizations, location descriptions and more. Price: Free.

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ablaye · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:26 PM

Scorched 3D - (Linux, Windows, Mac) Scorched 3D is a combat game based heavily on the classic DOS game Scorched Earth, “The Mother Of All Games.” Scorched 3D adds a 3D island environment and LAN and internet play. At its lowest level, Scorched 3D is just an artillery game with two+ tanks taking turns to destroy opponents in an arena. Choose the angle, direction and power of each shot, launch your weapon, and try to blow up other tanks. That’s basically it. The mods are what make this game a winner through 2008. The game includes an Apocalypse mod, Operation Scorched, Scavenger Hunt, Scorch Wars mod and more. Version 41.3 Released was just released on 20 January 2008. Price: Free.

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ablaye · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:28 PM

Frets On Fire - (Linux, Windows, Mac) Winner of the Assembly Demo Party 2006, Frets on Fire is a Finnish music video game created by Unreal Voodoo. Players use the keyboard like a guitar to play along with scrolling on-screen musical notes to complete a song. One hand is used to press the ‘frets’ (F1 to F5) and another is used to press the ‘picks’ (Shift or Enter). Colored markers that appears are to be played by pressing ‘frets’ of the correct color and ‘picks’ at the correct moment. There are also song editors and tutorials featured in the game. Frets on Fire is free and open-source software. The game is written in the Python programming language and is licensed under the GNU General Public License, though the game incorporates other free and open-source code under other licenses. The game’s included song files and some internal fonts are proprietary, however, so their redistribution is not permitted. Price: Free.

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ablaye · #10 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:28 PM

Secret Maryo Chronicles - (Linux, Windows) Secret Maryo Chronicles (SMC) is an open source two-dimensional platform game with a style designed similar to classic sidescroller games. Gorgeous graphics and interesting levels make for a refreshing take on Super Mario. SMC comes with an in-game editor - activated with the F8 key in the game. You can insert enemies, change the player start position on the level, insert active Sprites, and create half-massive Sprites which the Player can jump through, but can not fall through, etc. and more. The Powerup collections are where you begin to beat levels. Go to the site (linked above) to learn more about various graphics, sprites, and change player starting positions along with various levels and worlds. Although this is a simple game, the Powerup layers make SMC complex and fun. Price: Free.

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