Turn-based hedgehog warfare. Yes, really.
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Hedgewars is a free strategy game released under Open Source (GPL-2.0). It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, needs about 180 MB of disk space, and requires no account, payment or trial. On a computer, the fastest route is the PlayBound Launcher. On a phone or tablet, use the official store or site instead.
Choose how to install
Install with PlayBound or download from the official source without the launcher.
Install the PlayBound Launcher, then find Hedgewars and press Install. The launcher downloads the official release, unpacks it and creates a shortcut. This is the fastest route and it never uses third-party mirrors.
Alternatively, download Hedgewars directly from the official site at https://hedgewars.org. Always download from the official source — third-party mirrors of free games are a common malware vector.
Hedgewars is also on Steam and is free there. Open the store page and press Play Game to add it to your library.
steam://install/2223810Windows
Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts. If Windows SmartScreen warns about an unrecognised publisher, that is normal for open-source projects without a paid code-signing certificate — choose More info, then Run anyway.
macOS
Open the downloaded .dmg and drag the app into Applications. On first launch macOS may refuse to open it as unidentified — right-click the app and choose Open to approve it once.
Linux
Check your distribution's package manager first, which is usually the easiest route. Otherwise download the AppImage from the official site, mark it executable and run it.
chmod +x *.AppImage && ./*.AppImageLaunch the game and look at the settings menu before your first session — resolution and control defaults are worth checking. Hedgewars needs roughly 180 MB of free disk space.
Minimum
1 GHz CPU · 1 GB RAM · Any GPU · 250 MB storage
Recommended
Any modern machine
Yes, entirely. Hedgewars is open-source under GPL-2.0 with no purchases, DLC or advertising.
Yes, closely. Turn-based artillery with destructible terrain, wind and angle mechanics, a large absurd weapon roster and hotseat multiplayer. Hedgehogs replace worms and weapon balance differs, but the formula is faithfully reproduced.
Yes — hotseat multiplayer on a single machine is the primary mode and requires no extra controllers, accounts or internet connection.
Yes, including a campaign, training missions and matches against AI opponents, though the game is at its best with other people.
Yes, with public rooms and an official server. Live server and player counts are shown on the Hedgewars servers page.
Yes. Hedgewars supports up to 8 players. You can join a public community server from the PlayBound server browser, have PlayBound start a dedicated server for your group, and host a game on your own PC. PlayBound Connect handles the setup: start a party with your friends, pick how you want to play, and everyone launches into the same game from the PlayBound launcher, with the dedicated server started for you if you choose one. It also supports LAN play and hotseat play. There is no subscription and no paid multiplayer tier.