6 free strategy games to download on Linux
There are many great, open source strategy games released on the Linux platform. So many that Linux gamers can’t keep up with them all. For this reason, we’ve compiled a list of the best free strategy games to download on Linux!
1. Tanks of Freedom
Tanks of Freedom is an indie strategy game where the player controls a tank and fights against another player or a computer. The game is a turn-based strategy game, and the object of it is to defend your base and defeat the other tank.
ToF is an indie game, with 2d pixel-art graphics. It is cross-platform, and available on Linux through the Itch.io game distribution service, which users can download for free.
Get Tanks of Freedom
If you’re looking to install Tanks of Freedom on Linux, you won’t find it in your distribution’s software repository. Instead, if you’d like to get a copy of it, you’ll need to head over to Itch.io, or, the download section of their official website.
2. OpenRA
OpenRA is a re-implementation of the classic strategic game Command & Conquer. In it, the player controls an army and is tasked to defeat other competing armies in real-time.
The game is entirely open source, and the developers have taken a lot of time to re-build and re-implement the game’s engine for modern operating systems like Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and even FreeBSD.
The OpenRA project has been around for a bit. In that time, they’ve managed to implement support for custom modifications, and even allow players to experience various C&C releases, like Red Alert, Tiberian Sun, and more.
Get OpenRA
OpenRA is available for Linux as an AppImage and Flatpak. It’s also available in the official Arch software sources. To get it, open up a terminal and enter the commands that match your Linux distro.
AppImage (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, OpenSUSE, etc.)
wget https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/releases/download/release-20181215/OpenRA-Red-Alert-x86_64.AppImage wget https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/releases/download/release-20181215/OpenRA-Tiberian-Dawn-x86_64.AppImage wget https://github.com/OpenRA/OpenRA/releases/download/release-20181215/OpenRA-Dune-2000-x86_64.AppImage
When done downloading, double-click on the AppImage you’d like to play.
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S openra
Flatpak
flatpak install --from https://flathub.org/repo/appstream/net.openra.OpenRA.flatpakref
3. Freeciv
Sid Meyer’s Civilization has long been lauded as one of the better turn-based strategy games ever made. However, the Civ games are closed-source, and as a result, many Linux users aren’t willing to give it a shot.
If you’re one of those people turned off by the fact that Civ is closed source but still want to play an empire-building strategy game, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better alternative than Freeciv.
With Freeciv, you’ll be able to play from dozens of different historical empires throughout human history, build an economy, conquer other nations, explore, make allies and more!
Get Freeciv
Freeciv is one of the oldest free Linux games out there, and virtually every OS has it in their software sources, so you’ll have no issue getting it going on your OS of choice.
Ubuntu
sudo apt install freeciv
Debian
sudo apt-get install freeciv
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S freeciv
Fedora
sudo dnf install freeciv
OpenSUSE
sudo zypper install freeciv
Alternatively, Freeciv is available for download on Freeciv.org.
4. 0 AD
I’ve talked about 0 AD on AddictiveTips before on my list of great Linux games to check out. However, it’s such an excellent strategy game that I believe it belongs on this list as well.
0 AD is a top-down, RTS in the mold of other historical games such as the “Total War” series, and others. Wildfire games develop the title, it’s open source and available on all platforms, including Linux.
The main focus of the game is civilization-building and conquest. In the game, the player takes control of an ancient civilization, gathers resources, and build an army to defeat their enemies.
Get 0 AD
0 AD is available in many distribution’s software sources. It’s also available as a Flatpak and on their website. If you’re interested in learning how to install the game on Linux, check out our guide! In it, we talk all about how to get it running!
5. Widelands
Widelands is a brilliant real-time strategy game for Linux, Mac, and Windows. The game puts the player in charge of a clan, and you are tasked with managing resources, exploring, establishing trade networks with others and growing a settlement.
Get Widelands
Like many of the games on this list, Widelands is carried in most of the mainstream Linux distribution’s software sources. In addition to that, users can download the game directly from the web.
If you’re interested in getting the game working on your Linux PC, open up a terminal and follow the instructions below.
Ubuntu
sudo apt install widelands
Debian
sudo apt-get install widelands
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S widelands
Fedora
sudo dnf install widelands
OpenSUSE
sudo zypper install widelands
6. Mega Glest
Mega Glest is a real-time strategy game for the PC. It is cross-platform, free and available on most Linux distributions, as well as Windows and Mac OS.
In Mega Glest, the player must control one of 7 different factions (Tech, Magic, Egyptians, Indians, Norsemen Persian, or Romans) and use them to defeat their opponents.
It doesn’t appear that there is a particular narrative or story-line, for Mega Glest. Still, as it has excellent combat and gameplay, fans of RTS games will love it anyway!
Download Mega Glest
Mega Glest is open source. As a result, many Linux OSes are free to distribute the game in their software sources. If you’d like to install it, open up a terminal and enter the commands that match your distribution. Alternatively, download a build from the official website.
Ubuntu
sudo apt install megaglest
Debian
sudo apt-get install megaglest
Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S megaglest
Fedora
sudo dnf install megaglest
OpenSUSE
sudo zypper install megaglest
Conclusion
In this list, we talked about some of the best strategy games that are available on the Linux platform. If you’re in need of a new game to play and love the strategy genre, do check out the games on this list!
