If you adore hectic racing games, death-defying first person shooters, entertaining arcade classics, or nervy tower defense games, this article might not up your street. Here we’re covering turn-based strategy games that require intelligence, and the ability to come up with an innovative plan that will leave the competition mesmerized. As the title indicates, we are covering a genre where players take turns when playing, strategically seeking to outsmart the enemy.
Many of the biggest computer games concentrate on explosion-filled genres. But there is a place for high quality turn-based strategy games. It’s a neglected genre in the mainstream, yet contains many marvelous titles. The genre might conjure thoughts of board games with dice and individualized pieces. But, now, they can use the latest technology to make more realistic and immersive experiences.
There are a vast range of open source games in this field. Turn-based strategy games lend themselves remarkably to open source development. This genre doesn’t need armies of artwork or computer modelling. Games of this type also have fairly modest system requirements, and gives gamers time to get to grips with the controls even if it can take many hours to learn all of the intricacies. You can sit back, strategize, and take a breath, considering all options before making a move. So if you’re looking for a change of pace, check out the following games.
There is an eligibility criteria that needs to be met to be included in this round up (see below).
All of the games featured below have great gameplay, they’re immersive, fascinating, and hugely satisfying. They can be maddeningly addictive too. And as the source code is freely available, anyone can pick up, modify, and expand upon the games.
Let’s explore the 10 games. For each game we have compiled its own portal page, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.
| Turn-Based Strategy Games | |
|---|---|
| Freeciv | Clone of the turn based strategy game Civilization |
| Hedgewars | Strategy, artillery, action and comedy game |
| LordsAWar! | Similar to Warlords II |
| Scorched3D | Simple Turn-Based Artillery Fun |
| Stellar Forces | Uses Laser Squad/X-Com style mechanics |
| The Battle for Wesnoth | Turn-based strategy game with a fantasy theme |
| Tenés Empanadas Graciela | Conquer all the countries of the world |
| TripleA | Similar to Axis & Allies and Risk |
| UFO: Alien Invasion | Quad-based strategy in the tradition of the X-COM PC games |
| Unciv | 2D recreation of Civilization V |
Note: The games are listed in alphabetical order.
Eligibility criteria
Free to download. The project must be available to download without charge but the authors may accept donations.
Published under an open source license. Popular open source licenses for games include MIT License, GNU General Public License, and BSD License.
Not in an early stage of development. The game must be in a stage of development where it’s playable but not necessarily complete.
Does not rely exclusively on data from proprietary software. The game must not require purchasing or owning proprietary data from a different project.
Game media (such as graphics/sound) is released under an open source license or a Creative Commons license.
 Read our complete collection of recommended free and open source software. Our curated compilation covers all categories of software. The software collection forms part of our series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. There are hundreds of in-depth reviews, open source alternatives to proprietary software from large corporations like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. There are also fun things to try, hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. |
| Open Source Games | |
|---|---|
 | 2D Shooter: Part 1, Part 2 - They are a subgenre of shooter game, which in turn is a type of action game. It’s difficult to exactly define which specific design elements make up a shooter game. |
 | Action-Adventure - They combine core elements from both the action game and adventure game genres. Expect both your reflexes and problem-solving skills to be tested. |
 | Arcade is a video game genre with a focus on gameplay rather than story or content. They reached their peak in the late 1970s and 1980s. |
 | Board - This genre of game is a device of social interaction, they challenge the mind and, most importantly, they are great fun to play. |
 | Card - They offer many positive attributes. They can improve mental skills, memory and logic. They can test your patience, help you focus, and are popular for all ages. |
 | Chess: Apps, Chess Engines, Online Chess Clients - Chess is a recreational and competitive board game played between two players. It is a very popular game, played by millions across the world, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments. |
 | Educational - These games designed to teach people, typically children, about a certain subject or help them learn a skill as they play. They are sometimes known as games edutainment because they combine education and entertainment. |
 | First-Person Shooter: Part 1, Part 2 - This is a computer game genre focused on guns and other weapon-based fighting using a first-person perspective. Fast and furious gameplay guaranteed. |
 | Platform: Part 1, Part 2 - Subgenre of action games in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in a rendered environment. They are also known as jump 'n' run games. |
 | Puzzle - They make up a broad genre of games that emphasize puzzle solving. The types of puzzles can test problem-solving skills, including logic, pattern recognition, sequence solving, spatial recognition, and word completion. |
 | Racing - This is a video game genre in which the player participates in a racing competition. The most common types of sub-genres are arcade-style, simulation, futuristic and kart. |
 | Real-Time Strategy - A time-based game which typically focuses on finding resources, managing resources, and building an empire. You can engage other players and make alliances, and find different ways to conquer foes. |
 | Rhythm - Music-themed action video game that challenges a player's sense of rhythm. Games in the genre typically focus on dance or the simulated performance of musical instruments. |
 | Roguelike - A subgenre of role-playing games characterized by a dungeon crawl through procedurally generated levels, turn-based gameplay, grid-based movement, and permanent death of the player character. |
 | Role-Play: Part 1, Part 2- Players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. There are several forms of role-playing games. |
 | Sandbox - This genre provides the player a great degree of creativity to interact with, usually without any predetermined goal, or alternatively with a goal that the player sets for themselves. |
 | Simulation - A simulation video game describes a diverse category of video games, generally designed to closely simulate real world activities. These games do not necessarily offer entertainment, at least not primarily. |
 | Sports is a video game genre that simulates the practice of sports such as football, golf, pool. and more. |
 | Text Based: Part 1, Part 2 - These games often receive little coverage in the Linux press. However, there are some real ASCII gems out there waiting to be explored which are immensely addictive and great fun to play. |
 | Turn-Based Strategy: Part 1, Part 2 - We examine games that require intelligence, and the ability to come up with an innovative plan that will leave the competition mesmerized. Players take turns when playing, strategically seeking to outsmart the enemy. |