What are the best Linux RTS games?

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Jan 19, 2024

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0 A.D. vs Warzone 2100 vs Zero-K

vs Company of Heroes 2 vs Rymdkapsel vs Planetary Annihilation vs Widelands vs HomeworldSDL

Specs

Platforms

Windows, Mac, UNIX-like

License

GPLv2

Genre

real-time Strategy

Co-Op

Yes (teams)

Game engine

Pyrogenesis

Multiplayer

Yes

Graphic design

PvP

Yes

Singleplayer

Yes

PvE

Multi-Player

Price

Campaign Length

DLC

Online Matchmaking

Custom Multiplayer

Steam Rating

Single Player

Cross-Platform Multi-Player

Platforms

Windows, macOS, UNIX-like

License

Open source since 2004

Genre

Reat-time Strategy

Co-Op

Yes (teams)

Game engine

iViS 3D

Multiplayer

Yes

Graphic design

PvP

Yes

Singleplayer

Yes

PvE

Multi-Player

Price

Campaign Length

DLC

Online Matchmaking

Custom Multiplayer

Steam Rating

Single Player

Cross-Platform Multi-Player

Platforms

Windows, Linux

License

Genre

Co-Op

Game engine

Multiplayer

Graphic design

PvP

Singleplayer

PvE

Multi-Player

Ladder play, Casual Teams, Cooperative vs AI, Chicken Defense, Campaign

Price

Free

Campaign Length

71 Missions

DLC

Donations only

Online Matchmaking

Custom Multiplayer

Steam Rating

Single Player

Cross-Platform Multi-Player

Platforms

License

Genre

Co-Op

Game engine

Multiplayer

Graphic design

PvP

Singleplayer

PvE

Multi-Player

Price

Campaign Length

DLC

Online Matchmaking

1-4 Players

Custom Multiplayer

1-8 Players

Steam Rating

Single Player

Cross-Platform Multi-Player

Platforms

License

Genre

Co-Op

Game engine

Multiplayer

Graphic design

PvP

Singleplayer

PvE

Multi-Player

Price

Campaign Length

DLC

Online Matchmaking

Custom Multiplayer

Steam Rating

Single Player

Cross-Platform Multi-Player

Platforms

License

Genre

Co-Op

Yes

Game engine

Multiplayer

Graphic design

PvP

Singleplayer

PvE

Multi-Player

Yes

Price

Campaign Length

DLC

Online Matchmaking

Custom Multiplayer

Steam Rating

Positive

Single Player

Yes

Cross-Platform Multi-Player

Yes

Platforms

Windows, macOS, UNIX-like

License

open source

Genre

Strategy

Co-Op

Game engine

Multiplayer

Graphic design

PvP

Singleplayer

PvE

Multi-Player

Price

Campaign Length

DLC

Online Matchmaking

Custom Multiplayer

Steam Rating

Single Player

Cross-Platform Multi-Player

Platforms

License

Genre

Co-Op

Game engine

Multiplayer

Graphic design

PvP

Singleplayer

PvE

Multi-Player

Price

Campaign Length

DLC

Online Matchmaking

Custom Multiplayer

Steam Rating

Single Player

Cross-Platform Multi-Player

Pros + Cons

Pro
Free, Real-Time Strategy title actively being developed

Still currently in development, 0 A.D. is currently in Alpha stages and completely free. For those willing to wade through the multiple bugs, essentially testing the title, this game will scratch the itch of any RTS fan on a shoestring budget.

Comment

Pro
Free and open-source

Even if the current developer team chooses to no longer work on the game, others can keep contributing to the source code and modify it.

Comment

Pro
Active development

By being in active development the game allows for frequent bug fixes as well as frequent new content. While it is still in alpha, the state of the game playability is pretty good with new features being added all the time.

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Pro
One of the only free RTSes available being actively developed

When it comes to a completely free RTS that is being actively developed there are few options, or really only one, this game. So for that part, the best option available as it is really the only one. While there may be some free to play RTS options available they do rely on in game transactions where this title will have none.

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Pro
Addictive Aoe style game that works on nearly any OS

This game can be seen as a spiritual successor to Age of Empires, so it should be right up the alley for fans of AoE as they will be familiar with the style of gameplay.

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Pro
Straightforward RTS gameplay

0 A.D. brings familiar straightforward real time strategy gameplay for free using open source code. With a mini-map in the bottom corner, resources shown in a bar at the bottom and of course unit selection through double clicking, all of the major elements found in most RTS games is here, making for a very familiar game for those that are used to the genre.

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Pro
Multi-platform support

The game will run on Linux, OSX and Windows, which is great for people who dual boot or just use multiple OS's across their devices. No matter the OS used, one can install and play this game.

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Con
Currently in alpha

0 A.D. is an ongoing open source project that is as of yet feature complete.

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Pro
Addictive Age of-Empires style gameplay

This game can be seen as a spiritual successor to Age of Empires, thus it will provide similar gameplay to those who are familiar with the AoE series.

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Pro
Code is open-source

Even if the current developer team chooses to no longer work on the game, others can keep contributing to the source code and modify it.

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Pro
Addictive Age of Empires style gameplay

This game can be seen as a spiritual successor to Age of Empires, thus it will provide similar gameplay to those who are familiar with the AoE series.

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Pro
Big tech tree

Although it can be confusing to get the tech you want at times, Warzone has a complete tech tree that ranges from vertical take-off and landing crafts to laser guns and missile launching cyborgs, and includes four hundred different techs and upgrades.

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Pro
Big game scale

Although there is a limit to a number of units, Warzone permits pretty massive armies.

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Pro
A game made by players for players

Forums are a connections to admins and developers which listen to your questions and suggestions. You can even support the game and help as developer too.

Comment

Pro
Cross-platform game

There are versions for Linux and Windows. The easiest way to play in Linux is using Lutris platform.

Comment

Pro
Multiplayer online battles

You can create your own multiplayer battles, even password protected ones for playing with friends only.

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Pro
Flat tech tree

All units are available from the start of the game. There are no unit upgrades and you don't need to build certain buildings to reach the next level of unit.

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Pro
Advanced physics and map manipulation

Gravity guns, jumpbots and terraforming are unique features of this game. These features result in even more strategys to outplay your opponents like Terraforming units on a hill to get more range, jumping over rivers and on large hills or pulling units out of the enemy frontline.

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Pro
Campaigns to play alone and get skills

Now you can play in predefined scenarios, with maps with predetermined resources and where enemies are bots. It's a good way to learn before trying to fight online.

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Pro
Awesome graphical effects

Despite it is an open source engine, the graphics are fantastic.

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Pro
Expansive tech tree

Land, sea, and air. Choose your favorite play-style and use the appropriate tech tree. There are tanks, bots, walkers, planes, helicopters, boats, and submarines available to you.

Comment

Con
Difficulty to get to play in Linux

Despite there being compiled versions on each Linux repositories, it's difficult to make Zero-K to work if you are not using Ubuntu. Fortunately, there are other ways to install and play, like Lutris or even Steam (that however, tag it for Windows only).

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Con
It's a wine game

Not native.

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Pro
Tons of replayability thanks to DLC

While DLC has the potential to introduce imbalance, with purchased items that give advantage, so far CoH 2 has not had this issue. What it does offer through DLC is new campaigns and features such as Twitch support. This allows for more to be added to the game to do and see, which keeps players that enjoy the game coming back when purchasing these items. Other things such as cosmetics can also be purchased through DLC (really micro-transactions), which do not impact gameplay at all but offer a way to individualize oneself from the masses.

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Pro
Great multiplayer

The multiplayer of the game tends to be where the majority of fun can be seen. While single player is a worthwhile en-devour in the game, it just can not stand up against playing with real people. The included multiplayer has plenty of competitive maps as well as a section of co-op maps that are similar to the campaign mode (though not as plentiful).

Comment

Pro
More of a focus on smart planning over APM

Company of Heroes 2 is an RTS game that focuses more on smart decision making of micro unit control over macro control and actions per minute. This allows for a more deep strategy to the game as user will need to think aggressively and quickly. Strategy plays a big part as units can utilize cover with buildings as well as vehicles. The action on screen can often be slow which also allows for more micro management and planned out attacks.

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Pro
Control large amount of units

Upped from the original game the player is able to control up to 135 units, which is quite a lot of micromanagement for those that are interested.

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Pro
Top of its class in graphics for an RTS

While not a huge improvement over the first game in the series (Company of Heroes), the graphics to be found in CoH2 are still quite astounding for an RTS. Being that the genre tends to have many moving parts in any given level, the graphics tend to take a backseat to gameplay, but CoH 2 decided to offer better graphics than most in a very rich and detailed environment as well as troops. There will be plenty of realistic explosions to watch, as well as smoke after the fact that looks quite real. The animations to be found are also quite good, troops run as you would expect real people to run, vehicles move exactly as expected as well. Just about anything in the graphics department for this game stands out with a ton of polish.

Comment

Con
Poor cutscenes

The cutscenes, even though they are not animated with the in game engine look pretty abysmal. Why they are animated so poorly is unknown, but it definitely stands out.

Comment

Con
Flame weapons feel over powered

When facing off against units or vehicles that use flame weapons, the users troops can be killed a little too quickly. being that the weapons can often come out of nowhere, it can be frustrating as the level will most likely need to be replayed with the knowledge that flame weapons will be coming up.

Comment

Con
Gameplay can be quite hectic

Some of the missions in the game can require the player to keep track of up to 135 units at once, on three different fronts at that , which can be difficult to manage. While not completely unmanageable, this is something to consider for those that want something a bit more simplistic out of their RTS.

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Pro
"Zen" mode

There is included in the game a "Zen" mode where users can play with no enemies in the levels, which makes for a more easy going and relaxing experience.

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Pro
Unique base building mechanic

You build out your base by attaching tetronimo shaped rooms. It's a unique kind of constraint that is rarely seen in base building games.

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Con
Gameplay novelty doesn't last for that long

The game only has enough mechanics to really last a few hours, and after a few levels it's done. There is no infinite mode.

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Pro
"Total Annihilation" and "Supreme Commander" sucessor

Created to be a spiritual successor to Supreme Commander, those that are familiar with the title will be pleased to see a continuation of the franchise in some way.

Comment

Pro
Battles take place on multiple planets

Players fight it out in such large battles they take place on multiple planets, making for a very large scale RTS.

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Pro
Picture in picture

A picture in picture mode allows players to keep tabs on any area or planet that they are currently not viewing in the main screen, while it may cause complication trying to keep track it does open up an easy way to quickly view what is going on elsewhere in the game.

Comment

Con
Requires high specs

Everyone needs to have good PCs to run this game. Those that do not have high end graphics cards. a lot of RAM and good CPUs will see problems in the game such as low frame rates.

Comment

Pro
Native playable HW1 for Linux

Not a wine port.

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