Today, in this article, we’re going to give you a list of 60 best games that you can play on Linux. This list contains the selection of games across different genres. Some of these games are completely free to play while some are paid.
1. Dota 2
Genre: Online Battle Arena
Developer: Valve Corporation
May be some of you don’t need an introduction to this game. Dota 2 is one of the most popular online battle arena games in the current time. It is a very popular game among eSports and online gamers.
Dota 2 offers exciting gameplay which features two teams of five players each, battling against each other to defend their base. This game is available for free to download and install on Steam.
2. Team Fortress 2
Genre: Online FPS
Developer: Valve Corporation
Published back in 2007, Team Fortress 2 is one of the best multiplayer first person shooter games. This game keeps on getting updates for gameplay features which includes new game modes, maps, equipment’s, and many more despite it is a free to play game.
You can customize and create your own character with hundreds of weapons to select from. It doesn’t if you had a prior experience of playing such game or not. This game got everyone covered with detailed training and offline modes that help you brush-up your skills.
3. Fishing Planet
Genre: Simulation
Developer: Fishing Planet LLC
Published in 2015, Fishing Planet is an online first-person multiplayer fishing simulator game developed for fishing enthusiast. It is a unique game that gives you a realistic experience of fishing.
Gameplay includes making your trophy catches, discovering new possibilities, and sharpening your real angling skills with your friends. It is available for free to download and install on Steam.
4. Counter Strike: Global Offensive
Genre: Action, Online FPS.
Developer: Valve
Counter Strike: Global Offensive is one of the best first-person shooter games. You can select one of either team of terrorists or counter terrorists. CS GO is very popular among esports and online gamers.
This game features new maps, characters, weapons, and game modes. It also comes with updated versions of classic counter strike game content such as the very famous de-dust2 map.
5. Super Tux Kart
Genre: Racing Video Game
Developer: SuperTuxKart Development Team
Super Tux Kart is a free and open-source kart racing game which is available for different platforms such as macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and Linux.
It comes with a variety of game modes, character, and tracks. One of the game modes is story mode where you face Nolok and try to defeat him to protect your kingdom as a player.
6. War Thunder
Genre: Simulation Game
Developer: Gaijin Entertainmen
War thunder is a free-to-play World War II simulation game which is available for multiple gaming platforms such as PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, and PlayStation 5. War Thunder is available to Linux via Steam.
The game features aviation and armoured vehicles from the 20th century. This game also features modern combat units. You can compete and play with millions of players from around the world.
7. Valheim
Genre: Action, Adventure.
Developer: Iron Gate AB
Valheim is a survival game. It was released as an early access game in early 2021 for Linux and Windows via Steam. It is a Viking-themed game and it is immediately got very popular among gamers.
In this game, up to 10 players can play together which gives this game a little edge over the other survival games. Valheim runs effortlessly on Linux and the installation is quite easy with Steam.
8. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Genre: Action, RPG.
Developer: Feral Interactive
Deus Mankind is an action role-playing game which is available in multiple platforms including Linux. If shooting game is your favourite, then Dues Ex: Mankind Divided could be a great addition to your Steam library.
The gameplay takes you to the 2029. It features the state-of-the-art weapons and augmentations. This game is available on Steam as a paid game.
9. Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Genre: RPG
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire is a role-playing video game which is available for various platforms such as Windows, macOS and Linux. It was initially released in 2018. Later in 2020, it was ported to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
It is a sequel to Pillar’s of Eternity which was released in 2015. It was written beautifully and the story continues in the sequel with great storytelling. The addition of naval combat takes it to another level.
10. The Battle for Wesnoth
Genre: Turn-based strategy game
Developer: The Battle of Wesnoth Project
The Battle for Wesnoth is an open-source multiplayer strategy video game in wh. In this game, the player is given a task of building an army by taking control of the villages and defeating the enemies.
The game features 17 single player campaigns and 55 multiplayer maps. In addition, as add-ons, you get new campaigns, factions, and multiplayer maps. The game runs effortlessly on any laptop or computer, even with minimal hardware. It is one of most highly rated games on Steam.
11. Unknown Horizon
Genre: Strategy Simulation
Developer: The Unknown Horizon Developer Team
Unknown Horizon is a city building and real-time strategy game available for different platforms such as Windows, macOS and Linux. In the gameplay, you can build a high-profile metro city from the scratch and find new islands, trade routes, and diplomatic strategies to raise your city’s wealth.
Talking about its features, it offers urban development, commodities management, diplomacy, trade strategy, and exploration are among its most notable ones.
12. Minecraft
Genre: Sandbox Survival
Developer: Mojang Studios
Minecraft is a sandbox survival cross-platform game which available to play on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Windows and Linux. It is one of the best classic games for Linux.
In the gameplay, it features combat, harvesting, and building mechanics. As a player, you need to collect items and construct forts.
13. Civilization VI
Genre: Turn-based Strategy
Developer: Firaxis Games
Civilization VI is a turn-based strategy game which offers new ways to engage with your world. The game is available for a variety of platforms like Linux, Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, and iOS.
As a player, you need to build your capital and a host of other cities while keeping the citizens happy. This game really tests your skills against the AI.
14. Rocket League
Genre: Vehicular Soccer Game
Developer: Psyonix
Rocket League is a multi-platform vehicular soccer game which is available for different platforms such as Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Linux.
The game is a hybrid of the high-powered arcade style soccer and vehicular mayhem. In the game, you can customize your car and compete in the most critically acclaimed sports game.
15. Ark: Survival Evolved
Genre: Adventure Survival Game
Developer: Studio Wildcard
ARK: Survival Evolved is published in 2017 for various platforms such as STEAM, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Windows, mac, and Linux. It is an action-adventure survival game where a player needs to survive on one of the several maps filled with monsters, dinosaurs, and other pre-historic creatures.
This game can be installed on Linux and its distros such as Ubuntu using Steam for Linux. You can get it for free, but with some limitations. This game is all about survival on a mysterious island called ARK.
16. Wasteland 2
Genre: Role Playing, Adventure.
Developer: inXile Entertainment, Obsidian Entertainment
Wasteland 2 is a post-apocalyptic and a single-player video game. It is available for various operating system and gaming platforms such as Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS and Linux.
The gameplay of Wasteland 2 is a turn-based tactical combat. The overall graphics of the game is excellent which takes the gaming experience to another level. The game is highly customizable and you can modify the player’s skills, statistics, and appearance easily.
17. 0 A.D.
Genre: Real-time Strategy
Developer: Wildfire Games
0 A.D. is a cross-platform and a real-time strategy game focusing on the tribes and civilizations including historic sites of around 500 B.C. and 500 A.D.
This game’s gameplay involves tasks like army training, technology research, combat, and many others. The game has single player and multiplayer modes in which the players can choose between the computer-generated random maps.
18. Mari0
Genre: Puzzle Video Game
Developer: Stabyourself
Every gamer in his childhood has definitely played the popular mario game. The original Super Mareo Bros is developed and published by Nintendo. The Mari0 replica of that has some tweaks with the help of Valve.
Mari0 has features such as portal gun to shoot portals, 4-player simultaneous coop with each player having his own portal gun, 33 different hats, game modifiers, level editor, and many more. The game is available for multiple platforms such as Linux, Windows, and macOS.
19. World of Warships
Genre: Combat War Game
Developer: Wargaming, Lesta Studio
World of Warships is a free to play naval warfare multi-player online game. You take control of one of the 300 historic vessels from WWI and WWII like lowa, Bismarck, and Yamato to combat the enemies.
You can play this game in solo mode or even with your friends in multiplayer mode. Combats and engaging demands your full concentration, otherwise you get bombarded by the enemies anytime. You can customize your fleet with options such as ship modules, camouflages, flags, and many more.
20. Unturned
Genre: Shooter Video Game
Developer: Smartly Dressed Games
Unturned is a free to play survival game which is available for multiple platforms such as PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows and Linux. In the game play, you as a player and your friends need to survive the zombie-infested apocalypse.
This gameplay also tests your ability in unavoidable natural calamities. You need to hunt the animals for pelts and meat, fish for food and garbage, and plant a crop and make sure it rains.
21. Xonotic
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Developer: Team Xonotic
Xonotic is a free and open-source first-person shooting video game available for different platforms. As it is a cross-platform video game, it is available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD.
This gameplay is an arena style and features a wide range of weapons which includes 9 core weapons and 16 full weapons. It is and quite an engaging game and it keeps you on the edge of the seat during the game.
22. Observer: System Redux
Genre: Adventure, Indie
Developer: Bloober Team, Anshar Studios
Observer gameplay takes you to the year 2084, where the future is dark and full of tragedies. The first thing that you face in the future is Nanophage. Thousands are killed by digital plague.
You play as Daniel Lazarski, a neutral detective. As an elite investigator, you can hack into the minds of possible suspects and solve the case.
23. Left 4 Dead 2
Genre: FPS
Developer: Valve Corporation
Left 4 Dead 2 is a first-person shooter video game and a sequel to Turtle Rock Studio’s Left 4 Dead. It was initially released for Windows and Xbox 360 in November 2009 and was later ported to Linux in July 2013.
This game is available as a paid game on Steam, but you can get it for cheaper price on the sale days. The gameplay features thrilling Zombie encounter and super techy guns.
24. Insurgency
Genre: FPS
Developer: New World Interactive
Insurgency is another first-person shooter video game in our list. It is a cross-platform game released in January 2014 for Windows, OS X and Linux. It is a multiplayer modern combat game.
25. Portal 2
Genre: Action, Adventure
Developer: Valve Corporation
Portal 2 is a puzzle-platform video game available for different platforms such as Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. It is a single as well as a multiplayer game that both offer exciting gameplays.
This gameplay features a range of interesting challenges. In the Single player mode, it features the next generation gameplay while in multiplayer mode, it features its own dedicated story, character, and gameplay.
26. Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor
Genre: Action Role-Playing Game
Developer: Monolith Production
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor is an action role-playing game published by Warner Bros in 2014. You have to fight as a ranger to defeat Sauron’s army.
This game is quite impressive and is one of the most exciting games available on Steam.
27. Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance II
Genre: Adventure Game
Developer: Black Isle Studios
Dark Alliance II is a hack and slash role-playing video game released in 2004 for different platforms such as PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Dar Alliance II is a direct sequel to the initially released Dark Alliance game. This sequel features five new heroes with new abilities, hidden areas, secret character, and hundreds of items to discover.
28. Multiply Factory
Genre: Indie, Simulation
Developer: Time Shrink Studios
Multiply factory is a cross-platform factory building game which is available for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS. It is quite an interesting game where you can build stuffs within a 3D space with stairs connecting the different floors.
This gameplay features collecting minerals, create advanced items, unlock buildings, items and maps.
29. DiRT Rally
Genre: Racing
Developer: Codemasters, Feral Interactive
DiRT Rally is a thrilling rally game published by Electronics Art in 2015. It contains an officially licensed World Rallycross content which allows you to experience some of the world’s fastest off-road cars.
DiRT Rally features more than 40 iconic cars, six massive rallies with over 70 stages, official FIA content, custom rally events, and rally championships.
30. Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
Genre: Action Game
Developers: Creative Assembly, Feral Interactive
Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia is a strategy video game published by Sega in 2018 for Microsoft Windows. Later, it was also released for macOS and Linux by Feral Interactive in 2018.
It is a typical war game which challenges you to re-write the history of modern Britain. You have to build and defend the kingdom to the glory.
31. Everspace
Genre: Action, Indie
Developer: Rockfish Games
Everspace is single-player 3D space shooter game developed and published for Steam. This game combines roguelike elements with top-notch visuals and a captivating story.
Its storyline is beautiful and engaging. Talking about its other gameplay features, it features mission spaceships and much more.
32. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Genre: Action Role-Playing Game
Developer: CD Projekt RED
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an action role-playing game first published in 2015 for various platforms such as PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, and Linux.
As it is a story-driven RPG game, it keeps you engaged and excited throughout the gameplay as a professional monster hunter.
33. Robocraft
Genre: Action, Indie
Developer: Freejam
Robocraft is a free-to-play action game where you can build fully customisable robot battle vehicles that drive, hover, walk, and fly. It comes with great graphics and works effortlessly on Linux and its distros like Ubuntu.
You can battle against other online players while adding weapons from the future.
34. Minetest
Genre: Sandbox
Developer: Minetest Team
Minetest is a free-to-play and open-source sandbox video game which is available for different platform such as Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, openBSD, DragonFly BSD, and Android.
This game is quite similar to the Minecraft and other sandboxing games. In the gameplay, you can create your own voxel box in a 3D world.
35. This War of Mine
Genre: Adventure, Indie, Simulation
Developer: 11 Bit Studios
This War of Mine is a war survival game developed and published by 11 Bit Studios. It is a cross-platform video game which is available for different platform such as Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Windows, and Linux.
This game is quite different from any other regular war game as it is focuses on the civilian experience of the war rather than the front line combat.
36. Onraid
Genre: Action Game
Developer: Pragmatix Ltd
Onraid is a free-to-play 2D shooter game which offers intense battle modes, variety of characters, and cosmic visuals. Here, you can develop your own play style and tactics to defeat the enemies.
This game is available for different platforms using Linux and its distributions. It is available for free-to-play on Steam.
37. Kerbal Space Program
Genre: Indie, Simulation
Developer: Squad
Kerbal Space Program is a simulation game which lets you create and manage your own space program. Here, you can build a spacecraft, fly them and fulfil your ultimate mission of conquering the space.
Kerbal Space Program is a cross-platform video game which is available for different platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation, and Xbox.
38. Metro: Last Light
Genre: First-Person Shooter, Horror Survival Game
Developer: 4A Games
Metro: Last Light is a post-apocalyptic themed first-person shooter video game. It was published by Deep Silver in 2013 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Windows, and Linux.
It is one of the highly rated games on Linux. The game takes you to the year 2034 beneath the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Moscow.
39. FTL: Faster Than Light
Genre: Indie, Simulation, Strategy
Developer: Subset Games
FTL: Faster Than Light is a real-time strategy roguelike game released for Windows, Linux, and macOS in 2012. This gameplay is quite complex where you give orders to your crew, manage the ship power distribution, and choose the weapon targets.
You can also pause the game mid-combat to re-evaluate your strategy and give orders.
40. Euro Truck Simulator 2
Genre: Indie, Simulator
Developer: SCS Software
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is an open world truck simulation game published for Windows, macOS, and Linux in 2012 by the SCS Software. As a player, you have to travel across Europe, delivering important cargo.
You can also join an online community on World of trucks where the Euro Truck Simulator 2 enthusiasts meet at one place.
41. Factorio
Genre: Action Game
Developer: Wube Software
Factorio is a game about building and creating automated factories to produce items of increasing complexity. It is a cross-platform game available for macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows.
You can also play with other online players using cooperative multiplayer where you can create factories, collaborate, and delegate tasks between your team.
42. Darkwood
Genre: Action, Adventure
Developer: Acid Wizard Studio
Darkwood is a survival horror video game developed and published by Acid Wizard Studio in 2014 through Steam early access. It is a cross-platform video game which is available for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
In the gameplay, you as a player explore the rich, ever-changing world by day, then hunker down in your hideout and survive until the morning light.
43. Shadow Blade: Reload
Genre: Action, Indie
Developer: Dead Mage
Shadow Blade is an action game where ninjas and samurai clash upon a modern landscape.
Talking about its feature, it offers epic ninja platforming, vicious ninja combat, shadow ninja, more than 50 challenging levels, and many more.
44. Football Manager 2022
Genre: Sports, Simulation.
Developer: Sports Interactive
If you are fan of football, then you’re going to love this game. Here, as a manager, you have to fight against the odds to find your way to top and shock the world.
The game features 123 leagues from around the world with a database of more than 500,000 real players, and you can build your own tactics.
45. Butcher
Genre: Action, Indie
Developer: Phobia Game Studio
Butcher is a fast-paced 2D shooter game available for different platforms such as PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Talking about its features, it offers ultra-violent carnage and you can choose from an array of weapons. This game is an ultimate test of your patience.
46. PAYDAY 2
Genre: Action, RPG
Developer: OVERKILL – a Starbreeze Studio
PayDay 2 is a four-player co-op shooting video game available for different platforms such as PlayStation 4, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Xbox 360.
In the game, you need to rob the bank to get paid and CRIMENET – a database where you can select the job from the available ones. This gameplay also features dynamic scenarios.
47. Rust
Genre: Action, Adventure, Survival
Developer: Facepunch Studios
Rust is a multiplayer survival game which was initially released as an early access in 2013. Its full release was made in 2018. This game is available in Windows, macOS, and Linux through Steam.
As a player, your only aim is to survive. Everything in the game wants you dead – the island’s wildlife, inhabitants, the environment, and the other survivors.
48. Road Redemption
Genre: Racing
Developer: Pixel Dash Studios
Road Redemption is a vehicular combat racing game published as a successor to a very popular Road Rash series. It is available for multiple platforms which includes Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
In the game, you can earn money by completing races, assassinations, robberies, and other challenges.
49. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
Genre: Real-Time Tactics
Developer: Mimimi Games
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun is a real-time tactics game which is available on different platforms including Linux and Amazon Luna. The game is set in Japan around the Edo period.
The game graphics are quite impressive and it works effortlessly on Linux and its distros.
50. Stardew Valley
Genre: Indie
Developer: Sickhead Games
Stardew Valley is a simulation role-playing game where, as a player, you take your deceased grandfather’s dilapidated farm situated in Stardew valley.
Some game features include 4 player farming where you can invite 1-3 players to join in, become part of a local community, improve your skills, and battle over the mysterious caves.
51. Terraria
Genre: Action-Adventure Game, Sandbox
Developer: Re-Logic
Terraria is a sandbox game which was first released in 2011 for Windows. With time, it has been ported to the other platforms. The game features include exploration, crafting, building, painting, and many more.
In the 2D world, you need to combat with various creatures during the gameplay. This game can be played in a single as well as in multiplayer modes.
52. Don’t Starve Together
Genre: Adventure, Indie, Simulation
Developer: Klei Entertainment
Don’t Starve Together is a standalone multiplayer game where you need to explore, farm, build, and fight to survive.
In the gameplay, you enter a strange and unexplored world full of uncertainties where you need to work with the other players to survive the harsh environment.
53. 7 Days to Die
Genre: Survival Horror
Developer: The Fun Pimps
7 Days to Die was initially released for Windows and macOS in 2013 and was later released for Linux via Steam in 2014. It is one of the highly rated games on Steam.
This game is a unique combination of a first-person shooter, survival horror, and role-playing game.
54. Cities: Skyline
Genre: City-Building, Simulation
Developer: Colossal Order, Tantalus Media
Cities: Skyline is a city building game which is a single player game released in 2015. You as a player must engage in urban planning which includes zoning, road placement, taxation, public services, and public transportation.
This game is a classic city simulation game with great in-game content. This game is available for different platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.
55. Alien Arena: Warriors of Mars
Genre: Indie, Action
Developer: COR Entertainment
Alien Arena: Warriors of Mars features the arenas ranging from small to massive. It was released in 2017 for different platforms including Linux via Steam.
The game includes 23 official levels, 10 player characters, 10 weapons with 2 firing modes each, and fun powerups. You will enjoy this game.
56. Oolite
Genre: Space Flight Simulation
Developer: Giles Williams
Oolite is a free and open-source 3D space trading and combat simulation video game initially released in 2004. It is a cross-platform video game which is available to play on Windows, Linux, macOS, Pandora, and many others.
It is an exciting game with a great engaging gameplay.
57. Warzone 2100
Genre: Strategy
Developer: Pumpkin Studios, Warzone 2100 Project
Warzone 2100 is an open-source real-time strategy game which is available for PlayStation, Microsoft Windows, and Linux.
As a player, your job is to rebuild the civilization after a malfunction in the Earth’s new defence system which causes a series of nuclear strikes that takes out each and every life on Earth.
58. OpenTTD
Genre: Business Simulation
Developer: OpenTTD
OpenTTD is a business simulation video game where, as a player, you need to earn money by transporting the passengers and freight via road, rail, water, and air.
This game is a remake and expansion of the Transport Tycoon Deluxe video game which was released way back in 1994.
59. Stellaris
Genre: Simulation, Strategy
Developer: Paradox Development Studios
Stellaris is a 4x strategy video game published by Paradox interactive for different platforms such as PlayStation 4, Xbox one, Windows, macOS, and Linux.
In this game, you get to explore the galaxy full of wonders and interact with diverse alien races, discover new words and adventure with unlimited possibilities.
60. AstroMenace
Genre: Arcade Game
Developer: Viewizard
AstroMenace is a 3D arcade game initially released in 2007 for different platforms including Linux.
You have to protect your homeland from hordes of hostile creatures crawling out form the dark corners of the universe.
Conclusion
These are the 60 best games that you can play on Linux and its distros in 2022.
