Top AssaultCube Alternatives for Fast-Paced FPS Action
AssaultCube is a fantastic, free, and lightweight multiplayer first-person shooter known for its fast-paced arcade gameplay, low latency, and ability to run on older hardware. Its small footprint (around 50 MB) and efficient bandwidth usage make it a go-to for many FPS enthusiasts, even over slower connections. However, if you're looking to explore new arenas, different game modes, or just a fresh take on the classic arena shooter, there are several excellent AssaultCube alternative options available.
Top AssaultCube Alternatives
Whether you're seeking open-source freedom, high-octane graphics, or a robust competitive scene, these alternatives offer diverse experiences while keeping that beloved FPS adrenaline rush alive.
Unreal Tournament
Unreal Tournament is a classic series of first-person shooter games, renowned for its intense arena combat and iconic weaponry. While some entries are commercial, it also offers free and open-source versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux, making it a strong contender if you're looking for an AssaultCube alternative with deep multiplayer and offline gameplay options.
Xonotic
Xonotic is a free and open-source (GPL) first-person arena shooter that provides addictive, fast-paced gameplay across Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, and PortableApps.com. It's an excellent AssaultCube alternative, sharing its commitment to FLOSS principles and offering real-time collaboration features along with robust FPS action powered by OpenGL.
Counter-Strike
Counter-Strike is a highly popular, fast-paced, multiplayer FPS series where teams engage in objective-based combat. Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Steam, and consoles, it offers a different tactical experience compared to AssaultCube's arcade style, focusing on team-based objectives and a competitive scene, making it a compelling Freemium alternative for those seeking a more strategic shooter.
Doom
The Doom series delivers a brutal, sci-fi horror-themed first-person shooter experience. While primarily commercial, available on Windows, Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and Stadia, it offers both single-player and multiplayer modes. For players who enjoy AssaultCube's fast action but desire a more intense, visceral, and often single-player focused sci-fi experience, Doom is a powerful alternative.
Quake
Quake, from id Software, is a seminal series in the first-person shooter genre, known for its fast-paced, medieval, and sci-fi-infused maze-like levels. Available commercially on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Steam, Quake is a direct ancestor to many arena shooters and provides a classic, high-speed FPS experience that makes it an excellent AssaultCube alternative for fans of pure competitive combat.
Battlefield
The Battlefield series offers large-scale, first-person shooter warfare, distinguishing itself with massive multiplayer battles and vehicle combat. Available commercially on Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Origin, Playstation, and Xbox, it provides a grander scale of conflict compared to AssaultCube's more arena-focused battles, making it a great alternative for those seeking expansive multiplayer experiences with shooting mechanics.
Cube 2: Sauerbraten
Cube 2: Sauerbraten is a free and open-source first-person shooter available on Windows, Mac, Linux, and BSD. As a major redesign of the original Cube FPS (from which AssaultCube is also derived), it offers both multiplayer and single-player modes, along with a focus on portable, fast-motion gameplay and built-in map editing. It's arguably the closest philosophical AssaultCube alternative, offering a very similar core experience.
Red Eclipse
Red Eclipse is another fun, free, and open-source first-person arena shooter built on Cube Engine 2, available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD. It offers balanced gameplay, various multiplayer modes including Multi-Team CTF, and single-player options. As a total conversion of the same engine that powers AssaultCube, it provides a familiar yet distinct take on the arena shooter genre, making it a great AssaultCube alternative.
OpenArena
OpenArena is a free and open-source deathmatch FPS based on GPL idTech3 technology, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It supports numerous game types, including Free For All and Capture The Flag, offering a classic arena shooter experience. For those who love AssaultCube's free-to-play, multiplayer focus but want a different aesthetic and gameplay flow based on the Quake III Arena engine, OpenArena is an excellent choice.
Halo
The Halo series is a science fiction first-person shooter franchise focusing on an interstellar war. While commercial, available on Mac, Windows, Steam, and Xbox, it offers a rich blend of single-player campaigns, local multiplayer, and robust online multiplayer modes. If you enjoy sci-fi settings and want a polished, story-driven, and expansive multiplayer FPS experience beyond AssaultCube, Halo is a prime alternative.
Ultimately, the best AssaultCube alternative for you will depend on your specific preferences: whether you prioritize open-source availability, graphical fidelity, competitive multiplayer, or engaging single-player content. Explore these options to find your next favorite fast-paced shooter!