First person shooters may very well be the most popular video game genre of all time, and with free and open source software gaining more and more popularity, there are tons of them available for free. Here are five of the best, up to date free FPS’s for the OS X operating system:
1. Nexuiz Classic
Nexuiz is an arena style largely multiplayer online shooter, based on the Quake engine. With some of the best graphics and visuals I’ve ever seen on a free game, Nexuiz is a must have for the gamer on a budget. To download, visit http://www.alien…/nexuiz
Screenshot:
Nexuiz Classic
2. Cube 2: Sauerbraten
Cube 2: Sauerbraten is another addictive and open source first person shooter, developed by Dot3 Labs. Cube engine games are unique in the sense that they’re one of the few free online games that allow anyone to create and edit their own map in-game and play on that map online when finished. Cube 2 is based around deathmatch/team deathmatch gameplay, but offers a wide variety of different game modes and an almost endless plethora of maps. To download Cube 2: Sauerbraten, visit Sauerbraten.org
Cube 2: Sauerbraten
3. Assault Cube
Assault Cube is based on the Cube 1 engine, making it ideal for those with an older, slower, less resourceful machine. In fact, it’s even possible to play AC online through a 56k dial-up connection! Like Cube 2, Assault Cube has a built in level editor and a huge support community. Something that makes this game so fun is that all aspects of the game such as textures, player models, weapon models, world items, GUI, and much more are ridiculously easy to mod, and there are websites such as the Akimbo Vault and Quadropolis that are chock full of mods. To download Assault Cube, head over to Cubers.net.
Assault Cube
4. Tremulous
Tremulous is a standalone game based on Quake 2, and is a nice break from the typical point and shoot FPS. You can chose between the Humans and Aliens; both defending their own base as well as attacking the opposition. From the Wiki:
“The alien team is class-based, with two classes initially available: the alien team’s builder, known as the Granger, and the Dretch, the weakest offensive alien. The aliens are awarded frags for killing their foes which may be used to evolve into stronger classes, capable of greater and more varied maneuvers. In contrast the humans are upgrade-based, receiving credits for kills that may be exchanged at an Armoury structure for new weapons, armour and equipment. Two such upgrades are available for free: a rifle and a construction kit, used for building structures. “
Tremulous is available for free at Tremulous.net or $5 for some reason on the Mac app store…
Tremulous
5. Red Eclipse
This is a young, but ever growing futuristic themed shooter based on the Cube 2 engine, loaded with tons of different game modes, mutators, and user submitted maps, or course. It kind of reminds me of a more cartoony version of Unreal Tournament in the sense that there are multiple settings on most weapons, double jump, and similar game modes and mutators. Red Eclipse just released a new version on January 7th, so check it out and get it for free at RedEclipse.net
Red Eclipse
