Did you know that Linux is not just for programming and server management? Linux has evolved greatly, and it’s also an excellent platform for gaming! You might be wondering, “Gaming on Linux? Really?” Well, it’s true. But before we dive into our list of Linux games that you must play in 2023, let’s understand a bit about Linux gaming.
Gaming on Linux
From humble beginnings, Linux gaming has come a long way. Earlier, gamers had a limited choice. However, thanks to platforms like Steam and game developers embracing Linux, the gaming scene has changed dramatically. Now, we have many games to choose from, and the list keeps growing!
Gaming on Linux has its advantages. Not only do you get access to unique and independent games, but you also enjoy better system performance, security, and control over your gaming experience.
Let’s now get on to the list and provide a brief description of each Linux game that you must play this year.
1: Celeste
Celeste is a critically acclaimed platformer game created by indie developers Matt Makes Games. In this heart-pounding adventure, you’ll guide the game’s protagonist, Madeline, as she makes her way up a mountain while confronting her inner demons. The game has gained a reputation for its demanding gameplay, captivating storyline, and visually stunning pixel art. It’s not just a game; it’s an emotional journey that explores the importance of mental health and perseverance. Celeste is available on Linux and is a must-play game for any platformer fans!
2: Dungeons of Dredmor
Dungeons of Dredmor is a humorous and challenging roguelike game developed by Gaslamp Games. The game presents a vast, procedurally generated world brimming with monsters, traps, and valuable loot. As a player, your task is to delve deep into the dungeons of Dredmor and defeat the eponymous Lich Lord. The game is known for its quirky humor, deep character customization, and a vast array of unique items and abilities. With its fun graphics and addictive gameplay, Dungeons of Dredmor is sure to keep you hooked for hours on end.
3: Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition is the revitalized version of the iconic RPG game developed by BioWare. This version, developed by Beamdog, comes with a host of improvements, new characters, and expanded narratives. Set in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons, you will engage in this epic tale that features exploration, captivating storytelling, and strategic real-time, pause-and-play combat.
4: Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, is an exceptional RPG game that takes the strong foundation of its predecessor and expands upon it greatly. The sequel transports players to the Deadfire Archipelago, where they are tasked with hunting down a god. The game introduces naval combat and exploration, introducing a fresh dimension to the gameplay experience. The game’s character development, branching narratives, and strategic combat are truly immersive.
5: Death Stranding Director’s Cut
Death Stranding Director’s Cut is an expanded version of Hideo Kojima’s genre-defying game, Death Stranding. This version comes with enhanced visuals, expanded gameplay features, and additional content, offering an even richer experience. The game’s unique blend of action, exploration, and social connection mechanics make it a compelling choice for Linux gamers looking for something out of the ordinary.
6: Torus-Trooper
Torus-Trooper is a fast-paced arcade-style shooter developed by ABA Games. In this game, you control a spaceship racing through a tunnel, combating waves of enemy fighters. The game’s speed, combined with its minimalist graphics and intense soundtrack, creates a thrilling and immersive gaming experience. It’s an excellent choice for Linux gamers who relish high-speed action and thrive on challenging gameplay.
7: Total War Saga: Thrones of Britannia
The Total War series needs no introduction, and Thrones of Britannia is an excellent addition to this well-established franchise. The game offers deep strategic gameplay, rich historical detail, and stunning graphics. It’s a must-play for any Linux gamer who enjoys strategy games and historical warfare.
8: Stray
Stray, an extraordinary and captivating adventure game created by BlueTwelve Studio, immerses players in the role of a lost stray cat navigating through a vast cybercity filled with robots and peculiar machinery. The game stands out with its beautiful art style, intriguing world, and innovative gameplay mechanics.
9: ArcMaze
ArcMaze is an engrossing 3D MMO game that combines elements of puzzle, adventure, and dungeon crawler genres. You discover yourself within an expansive and intricate maze teeming with puzzles, traps, and menacing creatures. To survive and escape, you need to solve puzzles, find secret passages, and fight monsters. With its complex mazes, challenging gameplay, and multiplayer features, ArcMaze offers a unique gaming experience for Linux users.
10: Verdun
Verdun is a squad-based multiplayer first-person shooter set in the realistic environment of the Western Front in World War I. With realistic weaponry, historically accurate battles, and intense trench warfare, Verdun provides an immersive WWI experience for Linux gamers.
11: Civilization 6
Civilization 6 is the latest entry in the iconic strategy game series by Sid Meier. In this game, your abilities are tested as you strive to construct a civilization that endures throughout the ages, guiding it from the Stone Age to the Information Age. It introduces novel approaches to interact with your world, such as cities that dynamically expand across the map and active research in technology and culture.
12: Metro: Last Light Redux
Metro: Last Light Redux is a definitive version of the critically acclaimed Metro: Last Light, fully remastered for the next generation. Developed by 4A Games, it’s a first-person shooter that blends deadly combat with stealth and exploration, set in a post-apocalyptic Moscow. The game stands out for its atmospheric world, engaging story, and impressive graphics.
13: Dying Light Series
The Dying Light series is an immersive first-person survival horror game that takes place in an expansive open world infested with hordes of zombies. The series is known for its day-night cycle, where players scavenge for supplies and craft weapons by day and defend against the infected at night. With its immersive gameplay, dynamic combat system, and co-op mode, the Dying Light series provides a thrilling and intense gaming experience for Linux gamers.
14: War in a Box: Paper Tanks
In this game, you build your defences and prepare to fend off waves of paper tanks, artillery, and infantry. The game’s charming art style, combined with strategic gameplay, makes it an enjoyable pick for Linux gamers who love the tower defence genre.
15: Aquaria
Aquaria is an underwater adventure game developed by Bit Blot. The game merges elements of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, all while prioritizing a captivating narrative. With its beautiful hand-drawn art, captivating story, and innovative gameplay, Aquaria is a unique gem that Linux gamers will surely appreciate.
16: Hitman Game of the Year Edition
Hitman Game of the Year Edition is the complete package of the episodic stealth game series developed by IO Interactive. The game features Agent 47, a professional hitman who travels to various international locations to assassinate high-profile targets. Known for its open-ended levels, deep gameplay mechanics, and high replayability, Hitman provides a blend of stealth, strategy, and action that will keep Linux gamers thoroughly entertained.
17: Elden Ring
Developed by FromSoftware and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment, Elden Ring is an action RPG.Set in a vast, seamless world full of dungeons, castles, and other landmarks, the game offers deep RPG mechanics and challenging combat. Its dark fantasy world, crafted in collaboration with George R.R. Martin, provides a rich and immersive gaming experience.
18: Sleep is Death
Sleep is Death is an intriguing two-player storytelling game developed by Jason Rohrer. In this game, one player controls the main character, while the other player controls the environment and all other characters, essentially becoming the storyteller or game master.
19: XCOM 2
XCOM 2 is a turn-based strategy game developed by Firaxis Games. It’s the sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown and continues the storyline where the Earth has fallen to an alien invasion. The game involves strategic resource management, tactical combat, and intense decision-making.
20: The Last Federation
The Last Federation is a unique mix of strategy and simulation developed by Arcen Games. In this game, you play as the last surviving member of a universal federation, navigating the political and military complexities of a galaxy full of alien races. With its mix of grand strategy, turn-based tactical combat, and intriguing diplomacy mechanics, The Last Federation offers a rich and intricate gameplay experience for strategy-loving Linux gamers.
21: Aragami
Developed by Lince Works, Aragami is a stealth game that puts players in the role of an undead assassin equipped with the extraordinary ability to manipulate shadows.The game emphasizes stealth mechanics, allowing you to teleport to any shadow, become invisible, and materialize weapons. With its stylish visuals, engaging story, and challenging gameplay, Aragami is a treat for Linux gamers who appreciate stealth games.
22: Slay the Spire
Slay the Spire is a highly addictive deck-building game with rogue-like elements developed by Mega Crit Games. Players climb a spire, facing numerous encounters and battles along the way. The game combines strategic card gameplay with a dynamic, ever-changing layout that ensures every run is different.
23: Darwinia
Darwinia is a unique blend of strategy, action, and simulation developed by Introversion Software. In this game, you’re tasked with saving the Darwinians, a peaceful AI society threatened by a devastating virus. The game is known for its unique visual style, innovative gameplay, and compelling narrative.
24: Tomb Raider Series
The Tomb Raider series, developed by Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montréal, is one of the most iconic action-adventure franchises in gaming history. Players control Lara Croft, an archaeologist and adventurer, as she explores dangerous tombs, uncovers ancient relics, and fights off various enemies. The series is praised for its engaging gameplay, cinematic storytelling, and detailed environments.
25: Doom Eternal
Doom Eternal, developed by id Software, is the latest installment in the legendary Doom series. This first-person shooter takes the intense, fast-paced action of the series to new heights with a host of new demons to slay, powerful weapons to wield, and challenging levels to navigate.
26: Oil Rush
Oil Rush is a real-time naval strategy game developed by Unigine Corp. The game features a unique blend of strategy and tower defence elements set in a world devastated by global warming. With its impressive graphics, challenging gameplay, and immersive story, Oil Rush offers a unique strategy experience that Linux gamers shouldn’t miss.
27: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III is a real-time strategy game developed by Relic Entertainment. Set in the grimdark Warhammer 40,000 universe, the game offers intense tactical combat, a deep and rich lore, and a range of powerful units to command.
28: Rochard
Rochard is an action-packed platformer developed by Recoil Games. In Rochard, you control a space miner who uses a G-Lifter (a gravity gun) to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. The game combines humor, an engaging story, and innovative gameplay mechanics for a truly enjoyable gaming experience. It’s a great pick for Linux gamers who love action and puzzles.
29: Counter-Strike 2
Counter-Strike 2, the successor to the iconic first-person shooter Counter-Strike, continues to offer intense tactical combat where teamwork and strategy are key to victory. Developed by Valve, the game offers new maps, characters, and weapons, along with a host of updated versions of classic CS content.
30: Ziggurat
Ziggurat is a fast-paced first-person shooter with rogue-like elements developed by Milkstone Studios. In this game, you’ll face hordes of enemies and challenging bosses in randomly generated dungeons. With a vast array of weapons and powers to choose from, each playthrough offers a unique experience.
31: Tropico 6
Tropico 6 is a construction and management simulation game developed by Limbic Entertainment. As El Presidente, you rule over your island nation, shaping its future through four eras. The game’s sandbox nature provides ample flexibility when it comes to governing and decision-making. With its deep gameplay mechanics, humorous narrative, and beautiful tropical settings, Tropico 6 is a must-play for Linux gamers who enjoy strategy and management games.
32: SteamWorld Dig 2
SteamWorld Dig 2 is a platform mining adventure with puzzle-solving elements developed by Image & Form. You take on the role of a steam-driven robot exploring the old earth, digging your way through a rich underground world. The game combines platforming, exploration, and puzzle-solving in a beautifully presented steampunk world.
33: Unravel
Unravel, developed by Coldwood Interactive, is a visually breathtaking puzzle platformer that operates on physics principles. In the game, you assume the role of Yarny, a diminutive creature crafted from red yarn, as you navigate through stunning natural environments. The game’s unique mechanic is the yarn that makes up Yarny, which is used to solve puzzles, navigate, and move through the world.
34: Rocket League
Rocket League is a high-octane hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem developed by Psyonix. Players control rocket-powered cars in an intense ball game with a highly competitive nature. Renowned for its high-speed gameplay, remarkable physics system, and extensive customization features, Rocket League is an indispensable choice for Linux gamers who revel in competitive multiplayer games.
35: The Witcher 3
Developed by CD Projekt, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt stands as one of the most revered RPGs in gaming history. Players assume the role of Geralt of Rivia, a proficient monster hunter, in an expansive open world brimming with quests, mysteries, and consequential choices. The game is praised for its complex narrative, deep character development, and richly detailed world.
Conclusion
The realm of Linux gaming has experienced a remarkable surge, presenting a diverse range of games spanning various genres. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed games, love going on adventurous quests, enjoy role-playing, strategizing your way to victory, or exploring unique indie games, there’s something for everyone in the Linux gaming universe. So why wait? Start exploring these games today!
