Powerslave: 4 Open Source Clones Compared

Powerslave EX is an independent, reverse-engineered remake with its own custom level and sprite formats — by its own README, data pulled directly from the original PlayStation CD won't work with it, and its core code is described as out of date and somewhat buggy, though its collision and AI systems are original work. Raze instead plays Powerslave through its bundled PCExhumed component, which its README credits as also drawing some enhancements from PowerslaveGDX, tying Raze's version to the same shared Build-engine reverse-engineering lineage rather than Powerslave EX's from-scratch approach.

Comparison table

Raze

Availability

Status: Playable
Platforms: Windows, OSX
Play in browser: No
Mobile: No

Project health

Development status: Sporadic
Last updated: 10mo ago
Stars: 885
Contributors: 57
License: —
Engine: —

Compatibility

Requires original assets: YesRequires the original game data files for Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, Shadow Warrior, Redneck Rampage, or Exhumed/Powerslave.
Modding support: —
Multiplayer: Online

NBlood

Availability

Status: Playable
Platforms: Windows
Play in browser: No
Mobile: No

Project health

Development status: Active
Last updated: 1d ago
Stars: 803
Contributors: 62
License: —
Engine: SDL2

Compatibility

Requires original assets: YesRequires original game files from Blood 1.21 (BLOOD.INI, BLOOD.RFF, map files, tiles, etc.) to run.
Modding support: YesEDuke32 engine technology supports modding through custom content and game modifications.
Multiplayer: —

Powerslave EX

Availability

Status: Playable
Platforms: Windows, Switch, Xbox Series S/X, PS4
Play in browser: No
Mobile: No

Project health

Development status: Halted
Last updated: 8y ago
Stars: 182
Contributors: 1
License: GPL-3.0
Engine: SDL2

Compatibility

Requires original assets: —
Modding support: —
Multiplayer: —

PowerslaveGDX

Availability

Status: Playable
Platforms: Windows
Play in browser: No
Mobile: No

Project health

Development status: Active
Last updated: 2mo ago
Stars: 5
Contributors: 1
License: —
Engine: —

Compatibility

Requires original assets: —
Modding support: —
Multiplayer: —

Title	Raze	NBlood	Powerslave EX	PowerslaveGDX
Status	Playable	Playable	Playable	Playable
Platforms	Windows, OSX	Windows	Windows, Switch, Xbox Series S/X, PS4	Windows
Play in browser	No	No	No	No
Mobile	No	No	No	No
Project health
Development status	Sporadic	Active	Halted	Active
Last updated	10mo ago	1d ago	8y ago	2mo ago
Stars	885	803	182	5
Contributors	57	62	1	1
License	—	—	GPL-3.0	—
Engine	—	SDL2	SDL2	—
Compatibility
Requires original assets	YesRequires the original game data files for Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, Shadow Warrior, Redneck Rampage, or Exhumed/Powerslave.	YesRequires original game files from Blood 1.21 (BLOOD.INI, BLOOD.RFF, map files, tiles, etc.) to run.	—	—
Modding support	—	YesEDuke32 engine technology supports modding through custom content and game modifications.	—	—
Multiplayer	Online	—	—	—

Known limitations

Powerslave EX

compatibility: Core code is out of date and somewhat bugged; level format and sprite handling changed from original PSX version.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Powerslave 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 Powerslave clones use?

Powerslave EX (GPL-3.0).

Do I need to own the original Powerslave to play these clones?

Raze and NBlood require original game assets to play.

Which Powerslave clone is the most actively maintained?

NBlood and PowerslaveGDX are 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 Powerslave.