Free / open source games: G - L

There are more and more free / open source games: this list, far from being exhaustive but continuously growing, gives priority to projects that keep on being developed and is meant to help whoever is looking for some fun.

All these open source games are free but remember that the term free is meant as in "free speech", not as in "free beer" so if you like one of these games please try to contribute to its development: some teams need varioul kinds of help (programmers, graphics experts...), some accepts donations to finance the development of a game, some need help to test new versions which means that you can have fun and at the same time help the development of a project.

This is the third part of the list and included the games from G to L: from the side menu you can access to all the other parts of the list.

Gang Garrison 2 is a free multiplayer 'demake' of Valve's Team Fortress 2 which presents the player with 9 unique classes to use in frenetic, cooperative multiplayer action in a stylish and unique 8-bit style. Battle with your friends or others you encounter online through a whole range of vibrant maps; TF2 maps reimagined in 2D as well as a multitude of maps with all sorts of different looks and settings.

Operating systems: Windows

Latest version: 2.2.1 (June 25 2010)

GBoggle is an open source implementation of the classic game boggle: a lettered dice grid is simulated and you have to find words in sequences of adjacent letters among the ones available in the game.

Operating systems:  Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, Solaris

Latest version: 1.1.3 (November 10 2009)

GearHead 2 is a mecha roguelike roleplaying game. Set a century and a half after nuclear war, you can explore a world where various factions compete to determine the future of the human race.

GearHead 2 is available with both ASCII and graphical interface. GearHead 1 is still available.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 0.627 (May 25 2010)

Hardware/software requirements: graphics card with 3D acceleration

Gigalomania is a 2D real time strategy game that is a clone of Mega-Lo-Mania. The gameplay consists of researching and developing new technology with which to conquer your enemies, from rocks and sticks to nuclear weapons and spaceships. You can advance through ten different ages, from the stone age to the future. There are 28 different maps to play through.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 0.25 (February 8 2013)

GL-117 is a 3d flight simulator that includes 20 missions with various aircraft models.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows(version 1.0.0), Mac OS X, Symbian

Latest version: 1.3.2 (March 12 2005)

Hardware/software requirements: graphics card with 3D acceleration

Glest is a real time strategy game set in a time similar to Middle Age where due factions fight: Tech, composed mostly by warrios and uses mechanical devices, and Magic, which uses mages and summons creatures into the battlefield.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 3.2.2 (April 2 2009)

Globulation 2 is a strategy game that includes an artificial intelligence that can operate simple tasks assigned by the player who can focus on the general strategy.

Operating systems:  Linux, Windows, Mac OS X

Latest version: Beta 4 0.9.4.4 (August 30 2009)

GNU Backgammon is a free implementation of the game Backgammon.

Operating systems:  Linux, Windows, Mac OS X

Latest version: 0.90 (December 30 2009)

GNU Chess is one of the oldest free games existing and it's simply a program to play chess.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 6.2.1 (January 05 2015)

GNU Go is a program to play Go.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, various Unix, Mac OS X

Latest version: 3.7.12 (April 12 2008)

GNU Robbo is a free open source reimplementation of Janusz Pelc's Robbo for the Atari XE/XL.

Versions for other operating systems are available and maintained by persons different from the authors.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, PSP, Sharp Zaurus, Maemo

Latest version: 0.66 (November 12 2010)

GPC-Slots 2 is a text-based casino game. Its features include five slot machines, a progressive jackpot added to by all machines, two roulette games, two dice games, and the ability to print status out to HTML.

Operating systems: Linux

Latest version: 0.3.5 (July 31 2008)

GSeptica is an implementation of a popular cards game known in Romania as Septica.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 0.1.2 (December 16 2009)

gShogi is an open source Shogi (Japanese chess) game based on GNU Shogi that can use USI (Universal Shogi Interface) engines.

Sistemi operativi: Linux

Operating systems: 0.4.5 (August 27 2012)

Hardware/software requirements: Python / PyGTK support

Hedgewars is a very funny turn-base strategy game where each player leades a team of hedgehogs equipped with tools and weapons to fight the enemy hedgehogs.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, FreeBSD, Mac OS X

Latest version: 0.9.20 (January 6 2014)

The HexGlass is a Tetris-like puzzle game. Ten different types of blocks continuously fall from above and you must arrange them to make horizontal rows of hexagonal bricks

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, FreeBSD, Mac OS X

Latest version: 1.2.1 (February 20 2011)

Hnefatafl is an implementation of a Norse board game. Hnefatafl 11x11, 13x13, and Tablut are fully supported using rulesets. Other regional variants are partly supported. There is a commandline interface and an XLib interface (both are optional).

Operating systems: Linux, Unix

Latest version: 140617 (June 17 2014)

Holotz's Castle is a dexterity game where you must help Ybelle and Ludar to face the misteries hidden beyond the castle walls and to escape alive.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, FreeBSD

Latest version: 1.3.14 (May 2 2009)

Imperialism Remake aim to recreate the classic SSI game Imperialism. While the spirit and many concepts of the original should be preserved it should not become a pure copy but advance the concept in a sense that modern elements of strategic games are included as for example of the Civilization series.

Operating systems: Windows, Linux

Latest version: 0.1.4 (July 16 2013)

Hardware/software requirements: Java, Swing

irrlamb is a 3D game that probably involves a lot of physics and frustrating gameplay.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 0.1.1 (March 4 2013)

Hardware/software requirements: graphics card with 3D acceleration

JAG is a 2D arcade and puzzle game that has similarities with KDiamonds, Cradle of Rome, Big Kahuna Reef and others. The aim of JAG is to break all of the target pieces on each level, and to do this before the time runs out. Keep doing this until you have beaten the last level and won the game. Move game pieces using mouse into matches of 3 or more in a straight line horizontally or vertically. Doing this on top of the target cells will break them. The faster targets are removed, the bigger is score.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, FreeBSD

Latest version: 0.3.2 (March 4 2012)

JSoko is a Java program for playing the Sokoban game.

Operating systems: all the ones with Java support

Latest version: 1.72 (November 28 2013)

Hardware/software requirements: Java

Knights is a multiplayer action game derived from and old Amiga game with the same name released some time ago as open source and rewritten to be better suitable for modern operating systems.

Players must run around various dungeons to complete various quests where they can use weapons, potions and spells to face traps, various monsters and the other opponents.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 020 (July 7 2012)

Kobo Deluxe is an enhanced version of Akira Higuchi's game XKobo for Un*x systems with X11. Kobo Deluxe adds sound, smoother animation, high resolution support, OpenGL acceleration (optional), an intuitive menu driven user interface, joystick support and other features. Recent versions also add a number of alternative skill levels with slightly modernized gameplay. Kobo Deluxe uses SDL for graphics, sound and input, which makes it possible to build and run the game on pretty much anything.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, OS/2, Amiga OS, BeOS

Latest version: 0.5.1 (December 27 2007)

Hardware/software requirements: graphics card with 3D acceleration

Kobold's Quest is an RPG/adventure game in which you embark upon an epic quest to become a kobold wizard. The Gnarborean woods are in peril. An evil dracolich swings the magic of the woods into a foul darkgreen color. Your first task is to get rid of the draconic necrophile and steal his spellbook. Thereafter you venture into a water dungeon and try to catch the assassin who lured the dracolich out of his shell. It is also common knowledge that a kobold should he encounter the Nut People he will have another chance to learn from their magic, which is of a green-brown color.

Sistemi operativi: all the ones that support Python and Pygame

Latest version: 0.3.2 (March 17 2011)

Hardware/software requirements: Pygame toolkit

Kobold's quest 2, the sequel to Kobold's Quest 1, is an isometric 2.5D game coded in Python/Pygame. RPG and adventuring together with dungeoneering are the key to the wandering assassin's destiny.

Sistemi operativi: all the ones that support Python and Pygame

Latest version: 2.1 (July 13 2011)

Hardware/software requirements: Pygame toolkit

Kuklomenos is an abstract shoot-em-up. Minimalistic graphics, short game-length. Gameplay lies somewhere between Centipede and Starship Command. Very challenging at the higher difficulty levels.

Ports for Mac, AmigaOS4 and gp2x / gp2x Wiz console are available but the updates to the latest version can be very late.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 0.4.4 (January 31 2010)

LBreakout2 is an open source version of classic game BreakOut that includes a lot of levels but also gives the possibility to add many more levels created by other players and themes to change the game's look. There are also unofficial ports for BeOS, AmigaOS and Solaris.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, Mac OS X

Latest version: 2.6.4 (June 26 2012)

When Edgar's father fails to return home after venturing out one dark and stormy night, Edgar fears the worst: he has been captured by the evil sorcerer who lives in a fortress beyond the forbidden swamp.

In The Legend of Edgar, you take on the role of Edgar as he ventures across the world, battling fearsome creatures and solving puzzles whilst trying to find and rescue his father.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 1.16 (May 26 2014)

Hardware/software requirements: graphics card with 3D acceleration

Leges Motus is a 2D team-based tactical shooter set in zero-gravity.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, Mac OS X

Latest version: 0.4.0 (September 6 2010)

Hardware/software requirements: graphics card with 3D acceleration

Lentilwars is a 2D "tabletop" multiplayer shooter game. Each player controls a "lentil" with various weapons. Up to 5 players can join over LAN or internet. Inspired by the original Czech game of Bulanci.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, Solaris

Latest version: 1.1.0 (July 16 2010)

LGeneral is a turn-based strategy engine heavily inspired by Panzer General. You play single scenarios or whole campaigns turn by turn against a human player or the AI. Entrenchment, rugged defense, defensive fire, surprise contacts, surrender, unit supply, weather influence, reinforcements and other implementations contribute to the tactical and strategic depth of the game.

There are also unofficial ports for BeOS and Zaurus. There are also unofficial additional campaigns and scenarios created by various users.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 1.2.3 (April 20 2012)

LinCity-NG is a City Simulation Game. It is a polished and improved version of the classic LinCity game which was inspired to SimCity.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, FreeBSD

Latest version: 2.0 (January 25 2009)

Lips of Suna is a tongue-in-cheek dungeon crawl game that takes place in the chaotic dungeons of Suna. The five intelligent races of the world descend to the dungeons with their goal to save the world from a conclusive disaster.

In your journey to the depths of the dungeons, you will, among other things, have to fight creatures of different varieties, solve quests, explore new places, and craft custom items. Luckily you don't need to do all this alone since you can crawl the dungeons with your friends.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 0.5.0 (August 10 2011)

Hardware/software requirements: graphics card with 3D acceleration

LordsAWar! is a free, turn-based strategy game where up to 8 players strive for control of as many cities as possible. Produce new armies in cities to conquer nearby cities. Using the income from those cities, make more armies to take more cities. Send a hero to a temple to get a quest, or maybe search a nearby ruin instead. Play with others or against the computer.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows, Mac OS X

Latest version: 0.2.0 (March 16 2011)

Lost Labyrinth is a roguelike roleplaying computergame with a Zelda like graphics engine. Compared to other games of its kind it got the following features:

• Relatively short gameplay (between 10-40 Minutes)
• Very high replayability because everything is created at random!
• Many different skills to choose from
• No experience gain for killing monsters (only for reaching new levels!)
• Zelda like graphics
• Smooth scrolling
• Up to 4 players at the same machine
• Control with mouse, keyboard and joystick
• Versions for Windows and Linux
• Online Highscore
• English, German and Spanish
• Open Source (GPL)

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 4.6.4 (August 5 2011)

LTris as a tetris clone: differently shaped blocks are falling down the rectangular playing field and can be moved sideways or rotated by 90 degree units with the aim of building lines without gaps which then disappear (causing any block above the deleted line to fall down). LTris has three game modes: In Classic you play until the stack of blocks reaches the top of the playing field and no new blocks can enter. In Figures the playing field is reset to a new figure each level and later on tiles and lines suddenly appear. In Multiplayer up to three players (either human or CPU) compete with each other sending removed lines to all opponents.

Operating systems: Linux, BeOS, Amica OS4, Solaris

Latest version: 1.0.18 (October 30 2011)

Lunar Lander is the modernized version of the old arcade with the same name. The player must land the ship avoiding the obstacles.

Operating systems: Linux, Windows

Latest version: 0.6.0 (June 22 2009)

Hardware/software requirements: graphics card with 3D acceleration