Warrior Kings: 2 Open Source Clones Compared
wkbre2 is described by its author as a from-scratch rewrite of the earlier wkbre project, adding online multiplayer via a client-server architecture and Direct3D 9/11 and OpenGL 3.3 rendering backends, and it runs on both Windows and Linux/Ubuntu versus wkbre's Windows-only support. Both are engine reimplementations that require owning a copy of Warrior Kings (Battles) and remain unplayable as standalone games so far — wkbre currently functions mainly as a level and terrain editor whose output loads back into the original game, while wkbre2 is described as early and not completely playable but aims to support nearly all of the original's mechanics directly.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Linux, Windows
- Play in browser
- YesPlay in Browser
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Sporadic
- Last updated
- 5mo ago
- Stars
- 22
- Contributors
- 2
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesA copy of Warrior Kings (Battles) is required to run the engine reimplementation.
- Multiplayer
- Online
Availability
- Status
- Unplayable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 3y ago
- Stars
- 20
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- YesA copy of Warrior Kings (Battles) is required; the game is available on Steam and GOG.
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | wkbre2 | wkbre |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Unplayable | Unplayable |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows | Windows |
| Play in browser | YesPlay in Browser | No |
| Mobile | No | No |
| Project health | ||
| Development status | Sporadic | Halted |
| Last updated | 5mo ago | 3y ago |
| Stars | 22 | 20 |
| Contributors | 2 | 1 |
| License | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Engine | SDL2 | — |
| Compatibility | ||
| Requires original assets | YesA copy of Warrior Kings (Battles) is required to run the engine reimplementation. | YesA copy of Warrior Kings (Battles) is required; the game is available on Steam and GOG. |
| Multiplayer | Online | — |
| Preview | |
Known limitations
Frequently asked questions
Are the Warrior Kings 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 Warrior Kings clones use?
wkbre2 and wkbre (GPL-3.0).
Do I need to own the original Warrior Kings to play these clones?
wkbre2 and wkbre require original game assets to play.
Can I play any of these Warrior Kings clones directly in a browser?
Yes — wkbre2 has a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Warrior Kings.