Warsow

Warsow is a free FPS, focusing on fast, competitive online play. Combining a featherweight engine with cartoony, celshaded graphics, this open source game could produce some of the fastest gameplay you will ever see.

Mac

Linux

Overview

Warsow is a cel-shaded multiplayer FPS based on Qfusion (a modification of Quake 2 GPL engine). The game is currently available for free via the developer's website and from GOG.com.

Movement

Warsow puts a strong emphasis on movement. In addition to the regular style of movement gamers may be used to in Quake (Stafe Jumping etc), Warsow adds a 'Special' Key. Depending on the context, movement will be modified in one of the following unique ways;

Dash
If the Special key is hit while touching the ground, the user will perform a dash. This allows quick acceleration from a stationary position, rapid changing directions at high speeds.
Dodge
Pressing the Special key simultaneously with the left or right strafe key, the player will perform a quick dash, or side-step.
Wall Jump
Using the special key while touching a surface performs a wall jump. Limited to once every 1.5 seconds, or until the player has touched the ground again.
Ramp Slide
Very important in the 'Race' game type, the user can perform a slide by pressing the Special key while running along any ramp. Speed can also be gained on ramps using a strafe jumping motion.
Double Dash Jump
On the lip of a ledge, dash followed quickly by a jump can add extra height.

Weapons

There are 7 unique weapons in total (Not including the gun from Instagib), and depending on the game type set by the host, all weapons will have both a strong and weak ammo type.

Gunblade (GB)
The base weapon of virtually all the modes. Has a slow fire rate and must charge for a few seconds to regain it's full strength. Also has a blade that can be used in melee for reasonable damage, but at the speeds most player move can be tricky to employ effectively.
Riot Gun (RG)
As the game's shotgun, it's strength lies at close range where most of the pellets will connect. However it can be used at range for very weak opponents who are elusive. Listening for the telltale groan of an injured opponent usually means one or two shots with the riot gun will finish the job.
Grenade Launcher (GL)
Launches an explosive disc in a short arc. Strong grenades do not bounce whereas weak grenades will bounce once or twice before exploding. Very useful for deterring any pursuers.
Rocket Launcher (RL)
A weapon that's behavior will be familiar for all players of the Quake series. Warsow makes liberal use of the rocket launcher in offensive play, but combined with the 'Wall Jump' technique it can be used to navigate the maps quickly to escape or ambush other players.
Plasma Gun (PG)
The plasma gun, much like the rocket launcher, remains relatively unchanged from Quake. Very useful at close range for cutting down an opponent quickly, and at long range deterring on-comers. The spammer's weapon of choice.
Laser Gun (LG)
Emitting a short range energy beam, the laser gun is only useful in a few choice situations: Especially useful when following an opponent up one of the game's many jump pads. Very frustrating for players who have lost momentum or get cornered. The beam remains straight as long as you have strong ammo, but bends as you move with weak ammo.
Electrobolt (EB)
The railgun. Strong ammo makes the bolt hit instantly up to a range of 1024 units. Although with weak ammo the speed is diminished the electrobolt remains an effective long range weapon.

Items & Power-ups

There are four kinds of armor pick-ups available to boost the player's armor points to a max. of 200, respawning at 25 second intervals;

Armor Shards
Adds 5 armor points.
Green Armor (GA)
Adds 50 armor points, up to a max. of 100 armor.
Yellow Armor (YA)
Adds 100 armor points, up to a max. of 150 armor.
Red Armor (RA)
Adds 150 armor points.

Pick-ups to boost the player's health points to a max. of 200 respawn 35 seconds after previous pick-up.

Health Bubbles
Adds 5 health points.
Small Health
Adds 25 health points, up to a max. of 100.
Medium Health
Adds 50 health points, up to a max 100.
Mega Health Adds
Adds 100 health points.

Two power-ups are made available in certain game modes:

Warshell
Reduces the damage taken x4 for a period of 30 seconds.
Warshock
Behaves as 'Quad Damage' made famous in Quake, increasing the power of the player's weapons x4 for 30 seconds.

Players who posses this power-up with glow brightly and are clearly visible. The items themselves respawn 180/90 seconds respectively after previous pickup on default hosts.

Game Modes

Warsow has several modes of play. Most will be familiar to competative FPS players across the spectrum of game styles. Abbreviated names for the game types follow the subtitle.

Death Match/Free For All (DM/FFA)
The classic 'every man for himself' mode. A time limit is set by the host, during which time the player must frag as many opponents as possible. Players must collect weapons and armor located at various points around the map to gain an advantage.
Team Deathmatch (TDM)
Working in teams (Default Purple and Orange), players must proceed to eliminate their opponents. Both items and power-ups are available.
Capture the Flag (CTF)
The teams must work together to both defend their own flag and capture their opponents flag in the set time limit.
Duel
Players fight in the style of DM, but with only one opponent the emphasis is on tactics, item control, and deception. Items do not spawn for the first 15 seconds of the game.
Duel Arena (DA)
Differing slightly from regular Duel, DA starts the two players with a set amount of health and armor, and usually the full complement of weapons available in Warsow.
Clan Arena (CA)
CA expands on TDM, giving you the full complement of weapons (Dictated by your 'Class', if it is made available by the host), with no team damage or self damage. Players often use wall jumps combined with rockets to gain high velocity to chase or run from opponents. In this mode, power-ups, armor and health are not available.
Race
Players try to complete the race, usually a course of ramps and obstacles, in the fastest time possible using techniques such as strafe jumping, wall jumps, plasma climbing, etc. Maps range from variations on simple straight shot races (See the 'Line' series of maps), to highly technical, tricky courses. Upon completion of the race, your time is noted on the score board and you are sent back to the start to try and improve. Also available for race mode, is the 'Freestyle' setting for practicing movement. Several freestyle maps are available that resemble a bizarre gym, with areas for strafe jumping pads, plasma climbing walls, and other such specialized areas. Untimed in Freestyle mode, you can practice until the map timer runs out.
Instagib (Available all game modes iCTF, iDM, iCA, etc.)
All the above game types area available in instagib, even race. Players are given a variant of the Electrobolt which kills an opponent in one hit.