OpenRA – Classic strategy games rebuilt for the modern era

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Gameplay, Faithfulness, and Modernization

  • Many praise OpenRA for capturing the feel of classic C&C/Red Alert while modernizing controls and QoL features (attack-move, better UI, more fluid gameplay).
  • Several say they can’t go back to the originals or even the official remaster after getting used to OpenRA’s refinements.
  • Others find Westwood-era RTS comparatively simple and one-dimensional versus titles like StarCraft or Age of Empires, arguing that appeal came from presentation and accessibility more than depth.

Difficulty, Meta, and Learning Curve

  • Multiplayer is described as fast, chaotic, and “Quake-like,” with a strong early-game meta and emphasis on build orders; some feel this makes the early game formulaic.
  • AI skirmishes are tough; people report needing handicaps or specific build-order guides to win.
  • There is debate over whether the simplicity limits emergent strategy or just makes the game approachable.

Single-Player, FMV, and Assets

  • OpenRA can use original CDs to play cutscenes and music; EA has released classic C&C games for free, and OpenRA can auto-fetch their assets.
  • The FMV and music (e.g., Red Alert tracks) remain a strong nostalgic draw.

Mods, Ports, and Related Projects

  • RA2 on OpenRA exists as an unofficial mod (OpenRA/ra2), plus other RA2-like projects (ChronoDivide, Romanovs-Vengeance).
  • The Combined Arms mod unifies RA, RA2, Tiberian Dawn, Tiberian Sun, and new content; doesn’t require original games.
  • Other recommendations: openHV (mixed reception), Beyond All Reason (heavily praised vs SC2), Rusted Warfare, Sanctuary, Tempest Rising, 0 A.D., OpenRCT2, OpenXcom.

Technical and UX Issues

  • Reports of poor performance and UI jank in the official EA remaster; separate comments claim OpenRA itself is also CPU/GPU-heavy even on menus.
  • Some complain about pathfinding bugs in certain campaigns.
  • Requests appear for HD graphics from the remaster and for native ports (e.g., RA2 on Linux, Apple Silicon).

Experimental Ideas and Meta

  • One thread explores adding voice/LLM-based command input; others argue it’s overkill and inferior to mouse control.
  • Some note nostalgia wearing off with age; others say OpenRA is their main long-term game now.
  • There is light meta-discussion about recurring OpenRA posts on HN.