FreeCol

Colonize the New World.

FreeCol is a turn-based strategy game based on the old game Colonization, and similar to Civilization. The objective of the game is to create an independent nation. You start with only a few colonists defying the stormy seas in their search for new land. Will you guide them on the Colonization of a New World?

The last stable version release can be found here:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/freecol/files/latest/download

The latest test pre-release of the next version can be found here:
https://github.com/FreeCol/freecol/releases

If you want to contribute to Freecol please visit our welcome information thread to see how here:
https://sourceforge.net/p/freecol/discussion/719661/thread/2d0063a3bc/

Features

Play classic Colonization games
Play new expanded Colonization games
Huge 8 player games (plus even more players with mods)
Multiplayer support
More European nations to choose from (plus even more with mods)
More native tribes to meet (plus even more with mods)
Huge maps of America, Africa, Australia, and many more!
Map Editor to create your own maps to share
Easily modifiable for custom graphics & gameplay changes

Project Samples

Huge America map (roughly 3x the size of the original)

Project Activity

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User Reviews

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loooser Posted 2025-03-15

Warum verschlimmert Ihr ein gutes Spiel, ich meine Version 1.2. Lasst das Spiel und die Grafik wie es ist. Verbessert lieber Sachen wie mehr Speicher, auf 600 oder unbegrenzt, das man alle Soldaten markieren kann, das man größere Städte bauen kann und nicht so ein Mist, das die Grafik geändert wird und man sich nicht mehr auskennt.
perovius Posted 2025-02-14

I am so glad this game still exists! Last time I played it was around 15 years ago. I mentioned it to my friend and when I went to show it to him, I found out you are still developing and supporting the game. Downloaded the latest version and started playing again :)

2 users found this review helpful.
mythril2005 Posted 2024-02-13

Be carefull Virus Total detected a Malicious malware called Malicious.moderate.ml.score

Reply from FreeCol

Posted 2024-10-13
I have looked into what that specific name means and it's just that the executable file is unknown and unsigned -- which is absolutely expected. Being skeptical of random files downloaded from the Internet is healthy, so please do continue with that even though FreeCol is safe 😊 BTW, this is our build workflow if someone is interested: https://github.com/FreeCol/freecol/blob/master/.github/workflows/build-manual.yml
repell Edited 2023-02-14

I live this game since 2014, and I´m glad to see the game still fun. Would be interesting play as the natives.
screwthisgame Posted 2021-10-20

Let's start with the obvious. This NEEDS a tutorial, I spent hours just trying to figure out the the basics of playing (getting lumber etc). Next, TAXATION. I tried... I really did. I never made it past the 16th-century without being forced to declare independence by ridiculous tax increases. It's like Gandhi from Civ on steroids, and there's NO WAY to turn it off. Even at the EASIEST level, you WILL get taxed into oblivion or forced to try for independence about 2 centuries too early (seriously, did any of you guys go to history class?). As an example, in the last game I will ever play of this, I hadn't sold anything to Europe, just went back and picked up immigrants. By 1590, my tax rate was 32% and I couldn't trade furs, coats, tools or weapons. Couldn't get the customs house either, since that's tied to a founding father I didn't have yet. This thing was just pure frustration. I think the only enjoyable thing about it will be ripping it out of my system.

2 users found this review helpful.