opensource games.. quick overview of FPS's

So lately we've been trying to find some decent first person shooters ( aka fps's ), that will work natively in linux. 

I have a lot of windows games, some of which can run in either WINE (windows emulation software in linux), and some that can be installed natively with a few tricks..

since commercial games require some hefty computing hardware to run, and the old titles are getting stale, we found some new opensource titles to put to the multiplayer test..

• AlienArena 2007
• Tremulous
• Warsow
• Nexuiz
• Sauerbraten

AlienArena - wasn't the best game play, and was extremely glitchy.  It was way too slow on intel's newest embedded GPU (even with the settings on the lowest possible), and wouldn't even display on the new series 8 geforce GPU.  It played okay on my system using a series 7 geforce graphics card, yet sound just glitched out and made us all  have to turn sound off.  The idea wasn't the greatest ever either.  Substitute any arena based game, and you've got the basics.. One thing I did like about the game, was the funny looking alien characters, and the choice of colours.  but besides that, I think it needs a lot more work.

Tremulous - Now here's an interesting concept..that age old battle between humans and aliens.  This is a completely multiplayer game for more than 10 people I would say.  we tried with 3, and ended up on the bigger servers for internet matches shortly after.  Some cool things in the game, is you can build structures that the other players and yourself will rely on.  If you're an alien, you can evolve based on the structures that are build, and how many credits you have (credits being frags, kills, pwn's etc..).  likewise with humans, you can buy inventory to help squash  the alien scum!  The objective of the game, is simply to whipe out the opponents base.  One concern we had while playing, was the fact you couldn't do human vs human, or alien vs alien.  and the game requires these structures being built, while defending and offending the opponents.  its definately a large group game, perhaps an on-going battle.  I would recommend it if you're into pure large internet games.

Warsow - Me and jer played this the most out of all of them.  It worked the best "out of the box" (box being the tarball it was downloaded in).  The colours were nice, the graphics played smooth, and it was fun!  Nothing really pushing concepts here, and not really innovative.  It did remind me of XIII, a game that was annimated to look similar to a comic book drawing.  Warsow had that feel to it.  You could say it was just another skin to unreal tournament, or quake 2, but its opensource, and its about time something like that played this nice.  I only had a few glitches with the graphics, but nothing that impacted on gameplay.  I would recommend it (and if you are going to play it, let us know.. we'll probably join you!)

Nexuiz - this game was pretty promising as well.  Similar to Warsow, in that its just another multiplayer deathmatch arena game, but it ran smooth, and had some decent art.  I didn't spend too much time on it, since no one else was playing it.  But I can see it being a great time once we do.  I liked how fast paced it was.  it really reminded me of the good times playing unreal 2004.. getting sucked into the adreneline rush, getting fragged, jumping back in quickly for vengence.  I can see myself getting caught up in the action with this game.  I think it also has a singleplayer component to it, but I haven't checked it out yet.

Sauerbraten - Out of all the games we tried, this seemed like it would grow the most.  graphically it seemed way more developed than the others.  I didn't like the art of it as much as warsow, but in terms of detail levels, it ranks the highest.  The game also has a singleplayer campaign, which was rather disappointing.  the A.I was rather weak.. they just run at you (serious sam anyone??).  The gameplay was rather fast, but the "bad guys" shots were rather slow paced, you could make a sandwich before it got to you.  I didn't get a chance to try it multiplayer, but I did check out most of the maps.  there are a few open environment ones that look like a lot of fun.

Out of all these games, I'd have to say that Nexuiz, Warsow, and Sauerbraten are worth looking at.  Even if you're stuck using windows, I believe versions of each are availible for your.  Best part is, there are no worries of securom root kits, seriel numbers, online activation, or spending money.  sure they aren't Bioshock, Half-life2, or Crysis (have most of those too :P ), but they're free, opensource, community made games.. and judging by the size of the games on the servers, they're pretty popular..