FreeCol
Open-source turn-based strategy game based on Colonization
In our rankings
Scores on the open-source turn-based strategy games criteria
Evaluated Nov 5, 2026- Single-player content ×3 3
3/5 means: Computer opponents plus one of a tutorial, bundled scenarios or a choice of rule sets
Computer players plus a choice of rule sets (a Classic ruleset alongside FreeCol's own). The captured pages mention no tutorial, bundled scenarios or campaigns.
3 quotes - Multiplayer modes ×3 2
2/5 means: One of online, local network or hotseat play
Multiplayer support is documented, but the captured pages do not say which modes (online, local network or hotseat), so it is credited with one.
1 quote - Map editor and mods ×2 3
3/5 means: A map editor and mod support
Has a map editor and extensive mod support; no in-game add-on downloads or scenario tools are documented.
2 quotes - Release activity ×2 2
2/5 means: 18 months to 3 years old
The latest stable release, 1.2.0, was announced on 4 July 2024 and published on GitHub on 23 July 2024, about 28 months before capture.
2 quotes
Evidence (15 quotes)
- 1
“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.”
github.com/FreeCol/freecol · checked - 2
“Bugfix: Fixed a bug where the AI sometimes sent ships back and forth to Europe without doing anything.”
- 3
“This game has been developed incrementally and resulted in FreeCol 1.0.0, which was close to a Colonization clone when played with the "Classic" ruleset.”
freecol.org/about.html · checked - 4
“Adding the four extra nations to the classic ruleset. These nations are deactivated by default.”
- 5
“Examples of more modern features are: an isometric map and multiplayer support.”
freecol.org/about.html · checked - 6
“We have added extensive modability to the game.”
freecol.org/about.html · checked - 7
“The starting areas for European nations can now be defined in the map editor.”
- 8
“FreeCol 1.2.0 released Thursday, 2024-07-04”
- 9
“All savegames (without mods) from 0.12.0 and up should continue working with 1.2.0.”
- 10
“Allow to run FreeCol with only 512MB memory. Please keep in mind that 2GB is still needed for higher resolution, smoother scroll and high rendering quality.”
- 11
“Supports Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux”
github.com/FreeCol/freecol · checked - 12
“Still, FreeCol offers functionality not available to any of those games -- for example massive maps with hundreds of colonies.”
freecol.org/about.html · checked - 13
“The source code is licensed under the GPL v2.”
github.com/FreeCol/freecol · checked - 14
“tag_name: v1.2.0, published_at: 2024-07-23T19:57:41Z”
- 15
“You start with only a few colonists defying the stormy seas in their search for new land.”
github.com/FreeCol/freecol · checked