FreeCol is a 4X Strategy PC Game that is Free Open Source Software (FOSS) to Download
Original Release: 2 January 2003
Latest Version: 0.1 (2 January 2023)
License: GPLv2
Developer: The FreeCol Project
After 20 years, finally version 1.0 is released!
Yes, 20 years development game has to be worth a try doesn’t it?
This is a 4X video game, released under the GNU General Public License, FreeCol is free open source software.
FreeCol is a turn-based strategy game based on the old game Colonization, and similar to Civilization.
The objective of the game is to create an independent nation.
You start with only a few colonists defying the stormy seas in their search for new land. Will you guide them on the Colonization of a New World?.
The FreeCol team aims to create an Open Source version of Colonization (released under theGPL).
At first, we’ll try to make an exact clone of Colonization.
The visuals will be brought up to date with more recent standards but will remain clean, simple and functional.
Certain new ‘features’ will be implemented but the gameplay and the rules will be exactly the same as the original game.
Examples of modern features are an isometric map and multiplayer support.
You begin the game with one vessel and two colonists.
As in Civilization, you need to build a powerful nation, but fortunately, in the early part of the game, you’ll be able to send ships back to Europe in order to sell the goods you’ve produced or to bring back some colonists. Getting colonists into the new world is a very important aspect of the game as one game turn takes one year and later on even one season and as a result, colonies don’t grow as rapidly as they do in Civilization. You can pay colonists to come to the new world or you can show off with the religious freedom of your people in which case they will hop on your vessels for no money at all.
Another important aspect is the trade: the source of all income (apart from Inca and Aztec gold). In a land filled with precious resources, it is important to build your colonies at the right location and to place craftsmen where they belong. This is not only to have an income but also to be able to live off the land when you can no longer count on the support of Europe.
Through all this, you’ll have to decide whether or not you want to live next to the native Americans peacefully. They can teach your colonists new skills that cannot be taught anywhere else and they will offer you goods in case you choose to treat them as your friends. On the other hand, their villages can be attacked and their valuable goods can be taken from them and sold in Europe.
Other European forces are also busy occupying their piece of the new world. Should their borders go too far then take over some of their colonies by force because they wouldn’t hesitate to do the same thing to you.
The object of Colonization is to declare your independence and survive an attack of the King’s forces. Before declaring your independence you need to have the majority of the people behind you. This can be done by promoting free speech and by providing a strong governmental system.
Minimum System Requirements:
NOTE: This game requires Java(OpenJDK or OpenJRE) !
Processor: 266 MHz
Memory: 128 MB of RAM
Graphics: 1024 x 768 Monitor Resolution
Hard Drive: 100 MB free space
FreeCol Screenshots
FreeCol Videos
External Links:
Versions for Windows PC, mac OSX and an independent installer that should work on most other systems
