Warzone 2100

About

Warzone 2100 is a 100% free & open-source 3D real-time strategy game. Command the forces of The Project in a battle to rebuild the world after mankind has been nearly destroyed by nuclear missiles. Features Single-Player CampaignLAN / Internet MultiplayerAI Bots & Local SkirmishExtensive Tech TreeUnit DesignerCross-Platform Everything is free, including source code, downloads, and all features. No…

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Play Modes

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 709 reviews

story17 positive mentions

stability7 negative mentions

One of the greatest RTS games of all time with tons of replay value.
Unique unit customization and a vast tech tree that allows for diverse strategies.
The game has been updated fantastically compared to the original, maintaining its charm while improving gameplay.

The AI can be frustratingly difficult, especially in later missions, leading to unfair gameplay experiences.
Pathfinding issues can cause units to get stuck or behave erratically during battles.
The Steam version is not the latest and may have bugs, with many recommending to download the official version from the community site instead.

story
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
77%
5%
The game's story is set in a post-apocalyptic world where factions vie for dominance, providing a backdrop for engaging missions that blend base building, resource management, and combat. While the narrative is described as somewhat cheesy and lacking depth, it effectively drives the gameplay and evolves through three interconnected campaigns, allowing players to carry over units and resources between missions. However, some players find the story's progression hindered by frustrating mission design and time limits, which can detract from the overall experience.
- “The story is intriguing, and the missions strike a good balance between base building, resource management, and combat.”
- “The story has continuity and is full of surprises.”
- “Epic story with a real 'welcome back, commander' feel.”
- “The story was cheesy when you think about it, and there is a lack of cutscenes in the game.”
- “Some of the battles feel artificially drawn out in the story.”
- “Unfortunately, a lot of missions are pretty tough, and there's plenty of time limit objectives, so it's quite a challenging experience.”
graphics
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
58%
16%
The graphics of Warzone 2100 are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its age as a nearly 20-year-old game, yet they possess a retro charm that many players appreciate. While the visuals may not compete with modern titles, they effectively support the game's deep mechanics and engaging gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for strategy enthusiasts. Some users noted technical issues and graphical bugs in the current version, but overall, the game's aesthetic aligns well with its gameplay focus.
- “While the visuals of Warzone 2100 may not match the graphical fidelity of contemporary games, they possess a certain retro charm that adds to the game's appeal.”
- “The graphics are old, yes, but it is worth playing if you like RTS games.”
- “Look at those pixels: okay, the game is almost 2 decades old, so give it some credit for the graphics. For their time, 3D graphics were in their infancy, and these were pretty good for their time, especially for an RTS and even more so on a console.”
- “The graphics didn't load correctly for me in this version of the game.”
- “Warning: this version of the game has graphic issues and as a result is unplayable (you'll see when you try to play it).”
- “For releasing this version which runs poorly, has several graphic bugs and will not be maintained as the one in the community group that originated it... if at all.”
gameplay
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
60%
5%
The gameplay of Warzone 2100 is highly praised for its depth and customization options, allowing players to design their own units and develop unique strategies. Despite its dated graphics and some UI issues, the game offers a satisfying blend of base building, research, and tactical combat that remains engaging even over two decades after its release. The multiplayer mode and complex tech tree further enhance its appeal to real-time strategy enthusiasts.
- “This level of customization adds depth and tactical flexibility to the gameplay, enabling players to adapt to various situations and experiment with different approaches.”
- “While the graphics may not match the standards of contemporary titles, the deep gameplay mechanics, unit customization system, engaging single-player campaign, and multiplayer modes make it a worthwhile choice for strategy enthusiasts.”
- “Awesome gameplay with the legendary 'design your own tank' feature, which is pretty rare even today!”
- “This is an old game, with old mechanics and some fairly terrible AI. Expect frustration and heavily cheating AI, especially infamously Nexus, which has significant advances such as the ability to skip research entirely. The player has to deal with a very complicated skill tree already without having bots skip research, then you have other AI like Nullbot which is dumb as rocks.”
- “Rts elements, visual quality, gameplay and controls are poor.”
- “Controls are terrible and graphics are old, but in terms of gameplay, this can compete with or even excel newer titles. I can only recommend trying this; it's definitely worth downloading!”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The music in the game is generally described as atmospheric and fitting for its bleak sci-fi setting, enhancing the overall experience during gameplay. However, many users find the soundtrack to be limited and repetitive, leading to a desire to turn it off after hearing the same tracks multiple times. While some appreciate the hypnotic quality of the music, the lack of variety detracts from its overall enjoyment.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects contribute to the game's atmosphere and provide crucial feedback during battles and other in-game events.”
- “Best old RTS game out there, it has a good soundtrack, mechanics, difficulty, so give it a go.”
- “I like how easy to play this is and also the music is hypnotic.”
- “Soundtrack is decent but very limited, so I end up turning it off because it will put you to sleep hearing the same song for the 30th time in a row.”
- “At the time, these were considered good graphics, and the sound effects, voice overs, and music generally paint a bleak sci-fi future.”
- “Soundtrack is decent but very limited, so I end up turning it off because it will put you to sleep hearing the same song for the 30th time in a row.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
Overall, the stability of the game is a mixed bag; while some users report it running smoothly on modern systems with great support for resolutions, many others experience significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in mission completion. Discussions about these issues have been censored, leading to frustration among players. Additionally, certain features from the original version are missing, contributing to an inconsistent experience.
- “The game runs great and supports modern resolutions flawlessly.”
- “It's free, has a great procedural campaign (meaning you keep your base between missions), and runs great on modern systems thanks to the hard work of the modern developers and the kind open sourcing of the original developers.”
- “Very buggy and you can't finish a few missions without using cheats.”
- “Someone ripped it from GitHub, and rarely updates it, resulting in a buggy mess.”
- “A few features from the PS1 version aren't available, and there are some issues with glitches and an incredibly imbalanced late-game storyline AI opponent.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The game boasts significant replayability, with players enjoying both nostalgic single-player experiences and engaging multiplayer matches that encourage strategic experimentation. Its enduring appeal, even after 20+ years, is highlighted by the ability to explore different approaches and tactics, making it a standout title in the old-school RTS genre.
- “Pretty nostalgic, but the game is still replayable after 20+ years.”
- “This is without a shadow of a doubt the best old school RTS there has ever been; it's tons of fun both single and PvP with many hours of replayability.”
- “The multiplayer experience adds replayability and extends the game's longevity, as players can test their strategies and skills against others in thrilling online matches.”
- “Replay value is based on 'what if I did it this way from the start' scenarios.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's optimization is generally praised for its stability and smooth performance on modern machines, running well on a variety of hardware. However, some users note limitations stemming from outdated UI, archaic controls, and restricted mission parameters, which may have been necessary to maintain performance within the constraints of older technology.
- “Performance is really stable and good even on modern machines.”
- “Runs smoothly on pretty much any rig.”
- “Somewhat limited due to the old UI, archaic controls, and limited mission parameters (that were sometimes in place to keep the game within the performance capacity available at the time).”
- “Somewhat limited due to the old UI, archaic controls, and limited mission parameters that were sometimes in place to keep the game within the performance capacity available at the time.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by its effective soundtrack and sound effects, which provide essential feedback during gameplay. While players appreciate the depth and immersion reminiscent of classic titles, some note a limited variety in the music, with only a few tracks available.
- “The soundtrack and sound effects contribute to the game's atmosphere and provide crucial feedback during battles and other in-game events.”
- “As good as I remember playing it 20 years ago, I miss this kind of story depth and immersive atmosphere in games.”
- “The music is pretty neat and very on point atmosphere-wise, but there are only about three tracks.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a profound emotional connection to the game, with some expressing that it evoked tears of joy and an unprecedented level of attachment, highlighting its impactful storytelling and character development.
- “This game made me cry tears of joy by how good this free game is. 9/10”
- “In all my years of playing games, I have never, I mean never, felt so emotionally attached to a game.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing and absurd scenarios players encounter, such as school buses armed with cannons and fire trucks equipped with flame turrets, which continue to elicit laughter. While the graphics and controls may initially seem quirky, players quickly adapt, adding to the overall lighthearted experience.
- “A very good idea of building a unit from scratch, allowing the player to really get a grip on the army and build any unit as you see fit. The maps are okay, and the random AI you can have in the middle of the map ready to ruin your start is still just as funny now as it was back then, seeing school buses with cannons and fire trucks with flame turrets on them.”
- “The graphics are not the best, and the controls are a little funny at first, but you get used to them.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
Reviewers appreciate the absence of microtransactions in the game, contrasting it positively with other titles that rely on aggressive monetization strategies. This approach is seen as a refreshing change, positioning the game as a genuine experience rather than a cash grab.
- “No microtransactions, nothing.”
- “The game offers a fair monetization model that respects players' time and investment.”
- “I appreciate that there are no pay-to-win elements, making the experience enjoyable for everyone.”
- “Forged Battalion should be like this, rather than a shameless cash grab.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate that Warzone 2100 shifts away from tedious resource gathering, allowing for a more engaging experience focused on its extensive research tech tree and unit design. This change enhances gameplay by minimizing grinding and emphasizing strategic development.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and often tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find the repetitive nature of grinding to be a major drawback, as it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “The amount of time required for grinding is overwhelming, and it often feels like a chore rather than a fun gameplay element.”