Nexuiz is another great free first person shooter game. As opposed to some other well known 3D first person shooters, this FPS game looks and plays great and has outstanding graphics. All without requiring a super fast graphics card or really expensive gaming system hardware. It is also portable game or pendrive game, meaning that it can be run directly from a USB flash drive or other removable device.
Nexuiz | A Portable and Free FPS Game
Below you can see this free FPS game being played while running from my flash drive.
This game is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a classic, fast-paced shooter that doesn’t demand much from your system. Whether you're into casual fragging or competitive multiplayer, Nexuiz delivers. And since it runs portably, it’s perfect for LAN parties or playing on the go — just copy it to your flash drive and launch!
About Nexuiz
This open source first person shooter (FPS) video game was initially released in 2005. It gained popularity for its fast paced gameplay, competitive multiplayer features, and the fact that it was distributed as open freeware, meaning it was available to play for free. The game was developed by a group of volunteers and was built using the open source game engine called DarkPlaces.
Nexuiz Features
- Fast Paced Gameplay: Well known for its action packed, fast and frenetic gameplay, playing Nexuiz involves quick movement and reflexes. You'll find people often compare it to classic arena shooters like Quake and Unreal Tournament.
- Multiple Game Modes: Offers a variety of game modes, including Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and more. This variety makes it appealing to different types of players.
- Map Customization: Customization, including the ability to create and share custom maps and modify various aspects of the game. This allows the community to contribute to the game's longevity.
- Open Source: Being an open source project, game modding and community involvement is encouraged. Players and developers contribute to the game's development and create their own content.
- Cross Platform: Available across multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, which help it reach a wider audience.
- Graphics and Engine: The DarkPlaces engine, on which Nexuiz was built, provided improved graphics and visual effects compared to some other open-source games at the time.
- Community Support: An active and engaged community that continue to support the game even after its initial release. Helping to keep the game updated and relevant.
It's worth mentioning that the original Nexuiz project faced some controversy and licensing issues over the years, which led to the creation of a separate fork called Xonotic that continued its development independently.
Nexuiz Specifications
- Authors Website: Project Home Page
- Release Date: May 31, 2005
- License: Open Source GNU General Public License (GPLv2)
- Extracted Size: Roughly 300 MB
- Rating: 5 Star
- Downloading: Download Nexuiz
Note: If you like this multiplayer popular open source arena shooter, you might also want to check out WarSaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nexuiz really portable?
Yes, you can extract and run it directly from a USB flash drive without installing anything on the host system.
Does Nexuiz require an internet connection?
No, it includes both offline play against bots and LAN multiplayer. Internet is only needed for online multiplayer matches.
What are the minimum system requirements?
The game is optimized for older systems. A modest PC with integrated graphics, 512MB RAM, and a Pentium 4 or later CPU can run the game smoothly.
Is Nexuiz still being updated?
The original project has not seen recent official updates, but community support and forks like Xonotic have kept the spirit alive with newer features and bug fixes.
Can I create my own maps or mods?
Yes, as an open source game, it encourages modding. You can design custom maps and tweak game settings using freely available tools.
What's the difference between Nexuiz and Xonotic?
Xonotic is a community driven fork of Nexuiz that emerged after the original game’s code was licensed for commercial use. Xonotic continues development with new features, weapons, and maps.
Final Thoughts on this FPS Game
Nexuiz remains a standout title among portable and open source FPS games. Its combination of fast paced gameplay, great graphics, and low system requirements makes it a perfect option for casual and competitive gamers alike. Even though its development has slowed, the game still holds strong with fans, and forks like Xonotic ensure its legacy continues.
If you're a fan of classic arena first person shooter games like Quake or Unreal Tournament and want a free, portable alternative that doesn’t compromise on performance, this game is well worth the download.