If you ask an experienced gamer which OS he would like for his gaming, they would probably recommend Windows. Although the platform can provide an impeccable gaming experience, Linux isn’t far behind. For years, Linux was regarded as the most suitable choice for programmers, but its versatility in usage has increased immensely with the recent development. You can now find the best games for Linux efficiently, providing you with an excellent experience and environment.
Launching the Proton compatibility layer with SeamPlay meant that thousands of games created for windows only (DirectX games) will now work on your Linux distro. Additionally, several developers now continue to release plenty of games compatible with Linux. Hence, you get plenty of options as you can enjoy native Linux games and windows curated ones.
However, it shouldn’t surprise you that finding the best games for Linux isn’t an easy task. There are so many genres, and if you want to find the games that match your interests, it could not be easy without a guide. It is what we intend to provide you through the article as we help you discover the best games for Linux.
The list will contain choices from the steam store that you can find on the Linux platform and the native ones.
Excited? So, Let’s get started
Best Games for Linux in 2022
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike Global Offensive is one of the best games for Linux. It has insane popularity, and it often ranks as a top-rated choice in the FPS category. The game will provide you with the ideal environment and features to showcase your shooting skills. You can get the game for Linux on Steam, and we ensure that you won’t be disappointed with its gameplay and features.
Furthermore, another huge benefit of getting CS GO is that it also contributes a lot to the E-sports industry; thus, if you want to become a professional gamer in the future, this is one step to the ladder. The game features plenty of modes that allow you to train your aim, tracing and reaction time, etc. You can also play with your friends and practice your skill in the unranked mode, or you can choose to play competitive matches.
Counter-Strike is a game that lets you polish all your gaming skills; thus, it has a massive following in the industry. It is an excellent choice if you want a first-person shooter that provides it all.
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Standout Features:
- It comes with ranked and unranked modes
- Excellent gaming environment
- Ideal for E-sports enthusiasts
Download Counter-Strike for Linux
Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead 2 is the best game for Linux, particularly for people that love short Zombies. The first-person zombie shooter is one of the most popular choices on the platform, and you can play it in the single-player and multiplayer modes. The game has a huge community on Steam, and despite being released years ago, it still features over 30,000 online players daily.
A useful benefit of this game is that you can easily get it for around 1.3 USD on the Steam sale. It will ensure that it satisfies your craving for the thrill and chills you normally want from a zombie game.
It features different modes to ensure you never run out of options and are never bored of playing the same thing continuously. It will provide you with a campaign mode that lets you follow the entire story starting from the buildup of the zombie eclipse. There are four difficulty levels, so in case you think you want some more resistance, this can be extremely useful. There is a single-player mode, and then there is the split-screen where two players can enjoy the game on the same console.
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Standout Features:
- Filled with thrill
- Multiple gaming modes
- Enjoy the game as a single-player or split-screen
Download Left 4 Dead 2 for Linux
Unturned
Although not all the users might prefer the Voxel-based games for the lego-Esque aesthetic enthusiasts, it can be one of the best games for Linux. It features exciting and thrilling gameplay that focuses on performing missions for survival. The levels are pretty exciting as they ensure the thrill is never undermined; thus, the game is filled with a surprise at every turn. Also importantly, the game is free, and it offers higher graphic quality and better gameplay than the majority of the others you will find without any cost.
The main storyline of Unturned is based on you and your crewmates, who are trying to survive a zombie apocalypse together. You seek out on missions to collect weapons in different locations, collect supplies and notice the depleting bars such as water levels, food, and radiations. The map-maker ensures plenty of endless level variety and game modes that include plenty of short games such as paintball while there are also bigger modes like battle royale.
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Standout Features:
- Ideal for Lego enthusiasts
- Free to play
- Interesting story modes
Download Unturned for Linux
Crusader Kings 3
If you want a game that resembles the old battlefields with kings and knights, Crusader Kings 3 can be the best game for Linux for your purpose. The medieval dynasty simulator came straight out of the digital box and became one of the most popular choices on the platform. Although you may find the game still lacks visual complexity when you hover over the medieval world map, its gameplay and features make up for that as the game intends to fill the conqueror dream of many.
The game provides you with plenty of freedom, allowing you to perform various actions and create your journey. You take control of the royal bloodlines and arrange marriages, assassinate enemies, or set on conquests to increase your family’s influence. It’s one of the best dynamic story generators you will find, as the game packs excitement and thrill.
Standout features:
- Interesting storyline
- Create your journey
- Excellent war mechanics
Download Crusader Kings 3 for Linux
Total War: Warhammer 2
Let’s face it, at some point, we have all dreamed of combining movies, IPs, and historical war storylines in a game, and Total War intends to provide that experience. The game has generated massive popularity due to its versatile gameplay that makes it suitable for various gamers and seeks to offer an impeccable experience for everyone that installs it.
The game features a turn-based strategy with real-time tactical gameplay that resembles the Total war series. In campaign mode, the players have to move the armies around different locations on the map and manage the settlements in the turn-based method. Once the armies meet on the battlefield, they fight in real-time, and there are also online battles that you can play and enjoy. You will find the armies of Undead, Skaven, Chaos, Lizardmen, and various other factions go head-to-head.
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Insurgency is one of the best games for Linux in the multiplayer category. It is a highly competitive game that features an excellent source mod and allows you to participate in the close-quarter combats. The team’s survival will depend on securing and destroying the enemies’ strongholds on various points that you will have to achieve through your skill and gameplay.
The game takes a unique approach to FPS games, including eliminating the ammo counter or the HUD. If you are a hardcore gamer, it will bring back Delta Force nostalgia as the game offers similar gameplay. You can play with up to 40 different weapons and enhance their capability with various attachments. There are 16 maps available to ensure you never get bored of playing the same thing continuously.
Insurgency features seven game modes that can support more than 32 players and includes five cooperative modes to enjoy with your friends. If you want to practice, you can do it in the offline game mode.