Tyrian: 5 Open Source Clones Compared
OpenTyrian is the actively maintained option and, unusually for this project, ships the actual freeware Tyrian 2.1 data files in its own release builds, so no separate copy of the game is needed; it supports both local two-player arcade play and networked multiplayer. Tyrian Remake, by contrast, only sees sporadic development and requires the player's own original commercial Tyrian assets (graphics, sound, and music) from Epic Megagames, with no multiplayer described.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 1d ago
- Stars
- 572
- Contributors
- 15
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoRelease builds include freeware Tyrian 2.1 data files.
- Multiplayer
- Two-player arcade, Networked multiplayer
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Linux, OSX, Windows, Web, Android
- Play in browser
- YesPlay in Browser
- Mobile
- Android
Project health
- Development status
- Sporadic
- Last updated
- 9mo ago
- Stars
- 14
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesThe project uses original Tyrian assets including graphics, sound effects, and music from Epic Megagames.
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | OpenTyrian | Tyrian Remake | OpenTyrian2000 | Project: Random(SKY) | Rafkill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Playable | Playable | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows | Linux, OSX, Windows, Web, Android | Windows | Windows | Windows |
| Play in browser | No | YesPlay in Browser | No | No | No |
| Mobile | No | Android | No | No | No |
| Project health | |||||
| Development status | Active | Sporadic | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Last updated | 1d ago | 9mo ago | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Stars | 572 | 14 | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Contributors | 15 | 1 | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Engine | SDL2 | — | Not tracked | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Compatibility | |||||
| Requires original assets | NoRelease builds include freeware Tyrian 2.1 data files. | YesThe project uses original Tyrian assets including graphics, sound effects, and music from Epic Megagames. | — | — | — |
| Multiplayer | Two-player arcade, Networked multiplayer | — | — | — | — |
| Preview | | | | |
Frequently asked questions
Are the Tyrian 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 Tyrian clones use?
OpenTyrian (GPL-2.0); Tyrian Remake (GPL-3.0).
Do I need to own the original Tyrian to play these clones?
OpenTyrian runs standalone, no original files needed; Tyrian Remake requires original game assets to play.
Can I play any of these Tyrian clones directly in a browser?
Yes — Tyrian Remake has a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
Which Tyrian clone is the most actively maintained?
OpenTyrian 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 Tyrian.