OpenHV and OpenRA share the same open-source RTS engine, but OpenHV tells an original story built around Daniel Cook's unreleased 'Hard Vacuum' assets, while OpenRA recreates the actual classic Command & Conquer, Red Alert and Dune 2000 games with a much larger established community. Pick OpenHV for something new, OpenRA for the classics.
OpenHV is built on the OpenRA engine but tells its own original story rather than recreating a classic — the choice is between an original sci-fi RTS on the engine, or the actual classic Command & Conquer/Red Alert games it also powers.
| OpenHV | OpenRA | |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Original sci-fi RTS, not a remake | Recreations of Tiberian Dawn, Red Alert, Dune 2000 |
| Shared engine | Built on the OpenRA engine | The OpenRA engine's own flagship games |
| Download size | ~150 MB | ~350 MB |
| Story origin | Built around unreleased 1990s 'Hard Vacuum' assets | Classic Westwood C&C stories |
| Community size | Smaller, growing indie community | Large, long-established modding and ladder community |
| Multiplayer scene | Present but smaller | Active ladder and large map/mod library |
You want an original sci-fi RTS story built from unreleased 1990s art, on a proven engine.
You want the actual classic Command & Conquer and Red Alert games, with the largest community on this engine.
OpenHV clears the PlayBound Bar: an original, completely free and open-source real-time strategy game built on the battle-tested OpenRA engine, delivering tight tactical base-building, crisp 90s pixel art, and balanced multiplayer combat.
OpenRA scratches a very specific itch: remembering how much fun old Command & Conquer was, without having to treat a 1990s PC like a museum exhibit. We picked it because it doesn't merely preserve those games, it understands what made them fun and gives them room to breathe. The result feels familiar within seconds, but the modern controls, multiplayer, balance changes, and community creativity make it surprisingly easy to get hooked again.
OpenHV and OpenRA share the same open-source RTS engine, but OpenHV tells an original story built around Daniel Cook's unreleased 'Hard Vacuum' assets, while OpenRA recreates the actual classic Command & Conquer, Red Alert and Dune 2000 games with a much larger established community. Pick OpenHV for something new, OpenRA for the classics.
You want an original sci-fi RTS story built from unreleased 1990s art, on a proven engine.
You want the actual classic Command & Conquer and Red Alert games, with the largest community on this engine.
Yes. OpenHV is released under GPL-3.0 and OpenRA under Open Source (GPL-3.0). Both are entirely free with no trials, paid tiers or in-game purchases.