Zero-K is a FREE, multi-platform, open source Real Time Strategy game, which aims to be a dynamic, action-packed, hassle-free experience, full of clever strategies and constantly moving combat. Includes an epic scale, realistic projectile and unit physics, terraforming terrain and hundreds of unique and interesting units.
Zero-K is beautiful, not graphically (where it's neat but not spectacular), but in concept. It's big, it's procedural, it's fluid, it's full of options and somehow it all miraculously works.
Firstly, the interface. It's insanely powerful, with the ability to quickly draw any formation you want and automation of the most basic micro taken care of by excellent unit AI. Queing orders is quick rather than tedious thanks to many smart shortcuts (The sheer number of which and fragmented documentation thereof adds an unfortunately steep learning curve) Which is a must, given the scale of some battles, to allow you to manage things. So that's the first beautiful thing, large scale battles that don't degenerate into chunks of "blob + attack move" out of necessity and can instead play out with intricate manouvers and strategies.
Secondly, the procedural. Projectile arcs, unit momentum and weight, terrain deformation, projectile penetration, they're in there and all simulated. With this Zero K gets rid of arbitrary rock paper scissors whilst avoiding homogenous unit interplay. Anti-heavy units don't do reduced damage to light units, instead light units can dodge slower moveing projectiles by juking out the way (which the aforementioned powerful AI will do for you given the correct order) and penetrating shots do increased damage based on the distance traveled through a unit, not because of an arbitrary bonus table. With all this simulation comes a lot of emergent gameplay. For example if there's a valuable unit immobilised and about to die, you can physically intercept shots with light units to save it's hide, or ram it out of the way with your heavier units.
Thirdly, the options. There are so many of them, EMP damage, slow damage, momentum changing weapons, terraforming, cloak, jumpjets... It brings a steep learning curve, but it's worth it because the balance is good enough that almost all of them are viable for something making every game potentially wildly different.
High quality production for a mod but gameplay sucks. Too many different factories and no way to scout which will be build by the enemy. Also gameplay is focused on 1 factory only (sometimes 2) which limits tactical/strategical gameplay. Also the community is quite unfriendly.
One of best RTS.
Easily the best multi-platform RTS that I have discovered.
when you get past certain members of the community everyones pretty cool
I'd dare to say that Zero-K is the most immersive strategy game available at this moment. In this game you really are in full control of the battle. The limit's are not the lack of units, a dumb unit AI or not enough control over the battlefield but rather the limits of player's capabilities are his own creativity, reaction speed and strategic inteligence. A truly diverse and great game.
The only con is the rather steep learning curve.
This is a RTS for the RTS lover. The community is pushing the limit with hectic gameplay and mind-bending visuals. It is a great example of agile community development becoming more than the sum of its parts.
a lot factories to choice 👍
great game. unique gameplay concepts, very diverse set of unique units and lots of action.
best user interface in an rts game hands down.
There are many RTS games out there, but none with this many and detailed unit interactions while still being well balanced.
It may not blow you away on the first game, but you'll start to understand the depth on your 1000th game when you're still discovering new things.
complete, fun, quick, good looking (for 2004 graphics), lots of possible tactics, tons of very different units, terrain deformation, good nukes :3 (not the ****** sc2 nukes but more of a little version of supcom ones but with land shaping), still got some players every days, got its own lobby (a bit bugged like its in a beta state but fully fonctuonnal), nearly no lag, similar to TA but different enough, unique weaponery (land shaping, attract/expulsion ray,disarming, mass stun, etc), improvement in economy (you can link metal exctactor with energy giving buildings to distribute the energy threw all the extractors linked to improve their extraction.), very nice order system, commanders upgrade, etc
simply one of the best still playable free RTS.
edit: there is also a coop gamemode where you need to survive hords of zerg like monsters.
and the AI can be challenging.