I tried freecraft years ago (and stratagus also).
(I even rewrote some graphics code for freecraft to reduce windows size and increase game speed for very slow computers we had in my school).
My own impression: graphics is similar, but gameplay dynamic is absolutely different.
After you play war2 about half a year (PvP, not campaign olny), it becomes obvious.
Each smallest element: pathfinding, trees chopping, place to appear from building, lamber/tower/other bugs - everything.
It's not so diffucult to remove all the additional features (like training queue, additional buildings, rally points, etc), but it will not be usual war2.
I think, most (all) build-orders, maps should be played different.
That's why i don't consider wargus an alternative to war2. I mean, i don't think these people playing war2 for 20 years will move to wargus.
But anyway, wargus project could be interesting itself.
Do we know how to implement BNET? The protocol, client code and server code.
Well, i don't think BNET makes sense for wargus. Yes, we have BNET-server called PvPGN and it's opensource, so it's possible, but i think there are much better and much easier ideas for players communication to implement to the new game.
Khosmos, what's going on in the wargus world now? Is there any active developer team now? Would be interesing to be informed about this project.