Vangers: 2 Open Source Clones Compared
Vangers (the KranX Windows/Linux/macOS port) is playable now, supports multiplayer, and its main Fostral world data is freely licensed under Creative Commons, so that content doesn't require a purchased copy of the original. Vange-rs is a Rust/wgpu-based rewrite aimed at native hardware-accelerated rendering, but its status here is unplayable, and it requires the original game to try it with mechouses.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux, OSX
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 29d ago
- Stars
- 737
- Contributors
- 25
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoFostral world data in data/thechain/fostral is published under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0; other resources can be obtained from purchased copies but are not required for the Fostral world.
- Multiplayer
- Multiplayer
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Web
- Play in browser
- YesPlay in Browser
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- today
- Stars
- 486
- Contributors
- 13
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesThe original Vangers game is required to try out vange-rs with mechouses; Fostral world data must be obtained separately.
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | Vangers | Vange-rs |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Unplayable |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux, OSX | Web |
| Play in browser | No | YesPlay in Browser |
| Mobile | No | No |
| Project health | ||
| Development status | Active | Active |
| Last updated | 29d ago | today |
| Stars | 737 | 486 |
| Contributors | 25 | 13 |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Engine | SDL2 | — |
| Compatibility | ||
| Requires original assets | NoFostral world data in data/thechain/fostral is published under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0; other resources can be obtained from purchased copies but are not required for the Fostral world. | YesThe original Vangers game is required to try out vange-rs with mechouses; Fostral world data must be obtained separately. |
| Multiplayer | Multiplayer | — |
| Preview | | |
Frequently asked questions
Are the Vangers 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 Vangers clones use?
Vangers (GPL-3.0); Vange-rs (Apache-2.0).
Do I need to own the original Vangers to play these clones?
Vangers runs standalone, no original files needed; Vange-rs requires original game assets to play.
Can I play any of these Vangers clones directly in a browser?
Yes — Vange-rs has a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
Which Vangers clone is the most actively maintained?
Vangers and Vange-rs 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 Vangers.