When comparing Cataclysm Dark Days Ahead vs Xonotic, the Slant community recommends Xonotic for most people. In the question“What are the best open-source games?” Xonotic is ranked 2nd while Cataclysm Dark Days Ahead is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Xonotic is:
Open Source games are not always known for their high-quality graphics. This can often be caused by the games being designed by committee in that many different people may work on the graphics, even in the same areas, which can cause plenty of inconsistencies. Luckily, Xonotic does not suffer from this problem as the whole of the game has consistent looks that are actually quite impressive.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Classic computer gameplay that offers a lot of nostalgia
Get taken back to when games were completely made of ascii letters and your imagination. Venture forth as an @ and survive the wild. With the classic ascii art, it is hard to ignore that this is not a graphical powerhouse, but of course that is part of the fun, allowing your imagination to fill in this void.
Pro Open source and very moddable, making for a game that anyone can change to their liking
The mod community is pretty active on this game, and you can create some really cool things with the tools they already provide. This way anyone can change their game to how they like.
Pro Super involved gameplay that allows the user to dive deep into the mechanics of the game
Everything from weather to crafting to martial arts are accounted for in Cataclysm. You can spend hours mastering the depths of this games systems that allow you to play however you want.
Pro Being in constant active developed allows the game to constantly grow
Experimental releases exit a few times in a single day. Many people are working on finding bugs, and developers are quickly fixing them and adding new features. This makes for a situation where the game is constantly growing and improving.
Pro Free for anyone to download and try, which leave no one out
The game is free of cost as well as open-source, meaning that anyone can download the game, install it and play it.
Pro Graphics can be used instead of ASCII, for those that would enjoy something more visual
Not supported on every version of the game, but you can have a graphical experience if you want by using a graphical tileset for the game. This will need to be done manually.
Pro Impressive graphics, especially for an open source game
Open Source games are not always known for their high-quality graphics. This can often be caused by the games being designed by committee in that many different people may work on the graphics, even in the same areas, which can cause plenty of inconsistencies. Luckily, Xonotic does not suffer from this problem as the whole of the game has consistent looks that are actually quite impressive.
Pro Cross platform
Mac/Linux/Windows support.
Pro Many game modes
Includes all the expected options like Deathmatch and Capture the Flag, as well as more novel modes like Key Hunt.
Pro Fast-paced action
Pro Interesting weapon design (for an arena shooter)
All arena shooter basically use Quake or UT weapon system. However, Xonotic has an interesting variety of weapons (larger selection than most) with elements from both UT and Quake but added some of their innovative ideas. Some of the weapons have a bit of overlap and felt a bit forced, but other weapons really made the game stand out.
Pro Play easily online
At any time, you can find people playing on the net. No special configuration needed.
Pro Not demanding on the system
On integrated HD4600 graphics ~120 FPS on normal settings.
Pro Multiple floor levels gameplay
The game permits players to move across multiple floor levels, which permits more dynamic game play.
Cons
Con Lacking hardcore survival feel
The game gets to be rather easy once you spend a little time with it. Basements full of everything one needs to survive in every other house, and stores that look like they were left as seem out of place since in a disaster scenario most items would probably have been taken already.
You can tweak the options to suit a more hardcore experience if you so desire. The options allow for a wide variety of difficulty and playstyles.
Con Difficult to learn at first
This could be a pro for some but for many this will turn them away from the game.
Con Campaign can be very hard and you can get stuck
Some levels are very strange and difficult like fighting with almost invisible enemies.
Even at easy they are hard to beat and you must beat them in order to progress in campaign.
Con Few players
Very few players on the servers ate as it happens 5-9 people!
Con Boring AI bots
Bots are not the most performant opponents in Xonotic. They often run around the same paths, and sometimes even stand still on spots for apparently no reason.
Con No actual addons repository
Cannot download custom maps through the actual game. Instead you have to download maps online and then put them in a directory.