When comparing Xonotic vs Battle for Wesnoth, the Slant community recommends Xonotic for most people. In the question“What are the best LAN party PC games?” Xonotic is ranked 1st while Battle for Wesnoth is ranked 20th. 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
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
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.
Pro Great graphics
Easily one of the most beautiful FOSS TBS games around.
Pro Endless replayability
A large assortment of maps, classes, units and campaigns. Community addons available ingame for download, as well as a random map generator.
Pro The strategy for individual campaigns really forces you to think through available strengths and weaknesses, especially given the hex-based terrain
Pro Well established
BfW has been around since 2003 and is a firm favourite within the FOSS community.
Pro Active development
BfW gets updated frequently.
Pro Multilingual
Dozens of languages available to choose from.
Pro Single-player and multi-player
Battle it out against the game's advanced bots or go the online/hotseat route.
Pro Unique play style
The unique combination of LoC, hex-based map, terrain defence and movement, and map type, with damage types and resistances varying between units, gives a refreshingly unique play style.
Pro Immersing storyline
BfW comes with an entire lore which adds depth and variety to the playing experience.
Pro Even portable
Has a portable version
Pro Hotseat mode
Great to play with friends
Pro Consistent storyline
Cons
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.
Con Dated and boring game mechanics
Over simplistic and repetitive.
Con Doesn't explain game mechanics well
Battle mechanics, job changes when leveling up, and traits/skills are not explained outright. However, there is in-game help which you can refer to.
Con No simultaneous multiplayer mode
This limits player counts, map sizes and a really simultaneous mode is the only truly acceptable mode for a modern turn-based multiplayer game. Should have been part of the game years ago. Maybe the engine is not suitable for it.
Con Non well documented Add-ons
I'm currently stuck on 'The Chosen Glade' stage of the Rebirth in Nature add-on, with a lot of essence(s) and souls to convert to points for upgrades; should I find the way out of there for Aucrin of course.
Con Takes too much CPU/RAM resources
Too much does not mean you can't run it with a decen computer, but still, it's way too heavy for the result. Hint: using maps of vectors of strings is a bad idea.