Free RTS: Open Source Gamer's Guide to Free Real Time Strategy Games

Real Time Strategy (RTS) gaming as a genre was made popular by the original Command & Conquer, Dune 2, and of course Blizzard's mega popular WarCraft & StarCraft series. Typical mouse centric game play is based on trying to balance available resources, unit management, construction, and combat. RTS games usually are at their best when played across the internet or home network against a friend, some even offer a compelling single player experience.

Since this series deals exclusively with open source games. Here are the contenders for best open and free RTS. Lets get clicking.

Dark Oberon

Claymation RTS, need I say more? In Dark Oberon, adorably cute hand crafted units follow the standard RTS conventions in a surprisingly enjoyable game. The game could use a few more units, but is great fun to play. The sound effects are witty, and the beautiful music is non intrusive. Download Dark Oberon for windows here. Linux users can download an older binary version or compile from the source code.

Glest

Magic vs Technology 3d RTS, Teams can choose to be tech based or magic based. Play against humans or AI. Glest has a nice soundtrack and voice sound effects. Unique units with multiple attacks makes battles interesting to be a part of. All in all, Glest is a very polished game that gets better with every release. Grab a copy of latest Glest here.

Globulation 2

Using simple and cute units, Globulation boils all of the real time strategy down to a simpler control system. Globulation tries to ease the pain of ordering unit to do resource gathering. As a matter of fact, they have eliminated giving orders completely. Placement of buildings and flags control the blob's actions. This tweak in RTS gameplay mechanics is frustrating until you understand how it works. Units eat when they are hungry, which is often. (You will almost certainly find yourself calling the globs disparaging names your overweight aunt sometimes hears at the lunch counter.) Globulation isn't what I'd call graphically impressive, despite this it is worth a look for any RTS fan.

BOS Wars