Advance Wars: 3 Open Source Clones Compared
Tanks of Freedom is no longer actively developed — its own README points players to its sequel, Tanks of Freedom II, which keeps the built-in map editor and online map sharing but switches from 2D pixel art to voxel art and itself only sees sporadic updates. Commander Wars is a separate, actively maintained clone built on its own C++/oxygine/Qt engine rather than Godot, with community content organized through a dedicated mods folder instead of the Tanks of Freedom series' shared online map browser.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux, OSX, Windows, Android
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- Android
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 2y ago
- Stars
- 1,208
- Contributors
- 35
- License
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoGame includes original pixel art and soundtrack; does not require original game data.
- Modding support
- YesIncludes a map editor for creating custom scenarios that can be shared online.
- Multiplayer
- Local multiplayer, Online
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux, Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Sporadic
- Last updated
- 12mo ago
- Stars
- 426
- Contributors
- 5
- License
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoGame includes original voxel art and soundtrack; does not require original game data.
- Modding support
- YesBuilt-in map editor allows players to create and share custom scenarios online.
- Multiplayer
- Local multiplayer, Online
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- today
- Stars
- 295
- Contributors
- 21
- License
- LGPL-3.0
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoOriginal Advance Wars assets not required; game uses original data and custom resources.
- Modding support
- YesMods folder containing custom content for the core engine.
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | Tanks of Freedom | Tanks of Freedom II | Commander Wars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Linux, OSX, Windows, Android | Linux, Windows | Linux |
| Play in browser | No | No | No |
| Mobile | Android | No | No |
| Project health | |||
| Development status | Halted | Sporadic | Active |
| Last updated | 2y ago | 12mo ago | today |
| Stars | 1,208 | 426 | 295 |
| Contributors | 35 | 5 | 21 |
| License | — | — | LGPL-3.0 |
| Compatibility | |||
| Requires original assets | NoGame includes original pixel art and soundtrack; does not require original game data. | NoGame includes original voxel art and soundtrack; does not require original game data. | NoOriginal Advance Wars assets not required; game uses original data and custom resources. |
| Modding support | YesIncludes a map editor for creating custom scenarios that can be shared online. | YesBuilt-in map editor allows players to create and share custom scenarios online. | YesMods folder containing custom content for the core engine. |
| Multiplayer | Local multiplayer, Online | Local multiplayer, Online | — |
| Preview | | | |
Frequently asked questions
Are the Advance Wars clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these Advance Wars clones use?
Commander Wars (LGPL-3.0).
Do I need to own the original Advance Wars to play these clones?
Tanks of Freedom, Tanks of Freedom II, and Commander Wars run standalone, no original files needed.
Which Advance Wars clone is the most actively maintained?
Commander Wars is currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Advance Wars.