Unvanquished
Aliens vs humans in asymmetric FPS-strategy warfare.
How to install Unvanquished for free
Unvanquished is a free fps game released under Open Source (GPL-3.0). It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, needs about 850 MB of disk space, and requires no account, payment or trial. The fastest route is the PlayBound Launcher, which handles the download and setup in one click.
One-click install
PlayBound fetches the official release — no third-party mirrors.
Installation steps
- 1
Install the PlayBound Launcher, then find Unvanquished 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.
- 2
Alternatively, download Unvanquished directly from the official site at https://unvanquished.net. Always download from the official source — third-party mirrors of free games are a common malware vector.
- 3
Official releases are published on GitHub at github.com/Unvanquished/Unvanquished/releases. Pick the newest stable release matching your operating system.
- 4
Windows
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.
- 5
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.
- 6
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 && ./*.AppImage - 7
Launch the game and look at the settings menu before your first session — resolution and control defaults are worth checking. Unvanquished needs roughly 850 MB of free disk space.
System requirements
Minimum
2 GHz dual-core CPU · 4 GB RAM · OpenGL 3.2 GPU · 2 GB storage
Recommended
3 GHz quad-core CPU · 8 GB RAM · GTX 1050 or better · 3 GB storage
Install questions
Is Unvanquished free?
Yes, entirely. Unvanquished is open-source with no purchases, cosmetics or advertising.
What kind of game is Unvanquished?
An asymmetric FPS/RTS hybrid. Humans use projectile weapons and build a base of turrets and support structures; aliens use melee and wall-climbing and evolve into larger forms. Both sides depend on construction and resource control, not just combat.
Is Unvanquished related to Tremulous?
Yes. Unvanquished is a spiritual successor to Tremulous, keeping the asymmetric humans-versus-aliens design while running on a substantially more modern engine.
Can I play Unvanquished alone?
Not satisfyingly. Bot support exists but is limited, and the game depends on coordinated teams on populated servers. It is a multiplayer game first and foremost.
How many players does Unvanquished have?
The population is small — the smallest in the PlayBound catalog. Check the Unvanquished servers page for live counts before setting aside an evening for it.