If you want to play all the latest and greatest PC games, then the only viable option is Microsoft Windows Even macOS, which is gaining popularity, only receives a select few games each year.
For Linux users, the choice has become more rare over the years, but that does not mean that there are not so many games. Let’s highlight the best Linux games you can play today.
A note about non-native Linux games and Linux Exclusives
In our Linux gaming article, we showed you how easy it is to play Windows games on Linux. In particular, Steam has an incredibly robust conversion system known as SteamPlay, where Windows games are wrapped with special software that allows the game to run on Linux.
We will not include Windows games that run on Linux using systems like SteamPlay in this article. If we did that, the list would look like a list of Windows games. Instead, we’ll only include the best Linux games that have their own Linux port.
Also, don’t expect to see games that are exclusively for Linux. While there are a few Linux-exclusive games out there, these are usually indie games that really don’t match the best games that can be played on this platform. If you have any suggestions for exclusive Linux games, we invite you to share them in the comments below.
With these basic rules removed, let’s move on to some cool Linux games you can play!
The Metro series is based on popular novels about post-apocalyptic Russia, where survivors took refuge in subway tunnels. Complex, intimidating and highly addicting, Metro games are masterpieces in themselves.
This Redux Bundle contains Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light. Unfortunately, the last game in the series, Exodus, did not have its own Linux port at the time of writing.
These are “Redux” versions of the games, and as such they have been redesigned with improved graphics and features. They also have a less hard difficulty mode, but you can ignore it and play the games as originally intended.
If you like more realistic and harsh survival horror shooters, not many of them can compete with each other with Metro games. Having native Linux ports for these games is fantastic.
Civilization 6
The latter in Sid Meier’s incredibly popular turn-based strategy game has a built-in version for Linux. Moreover, this is a game without particularly high system requirements. Many portable systems will work fine with it.
This is by far the most polished Civ game, with beautiful cutscenes and Pixar animations, beautifully detailed tiles and graphics, and a ton of atmosphere.
The point of the game is to develop your civilization to its peak, which is expressed in various achievements. Whether it’s war, diplomacy, or technological superiority, the future of your people is in your hands.
Civ is still addictive and honestly, do you even need another game on your Linux system? Where would you find time to play anything else?
Hitman GOTY
This is not to be confused with the very first Hitman game, instead, this Hitman game is a reboot of the series. This gives the hitman the unrivaled sandbox-style gameplay that made these games famous.
This game was originally released in episodic format with a new, dense, standalone mission. This Game of the Year Edition includes all the content created for the game, so you don’t have to wait to enjoy everything Hitman has to offer.
Hitman has incredible replayability, beautiful graphics and an intriguing storyline. In the role of Agent 47, you will need to find the best way to get to the goal, stick to the parameters of the mission and make it whole. The best players will do it all, even if no one knows they were there.
Agent 47 can use a variety of weapons, gadgets, disguises and environments to achieve his goals. Hitman is an awesome must-play game for anyone who loves stealth puzzle games.
Borderlands 2 GOTY
The first Borderlands game set the bar for the marauding shooter genre, which now features monsters like Destiny. Take your friends, choose your character class, and venture into the strange world of Pandora, portrayed in impressive shaded graphics. Borderlands took the mechanics of the action RPG game Diablo and combined it with robust first-person shooter. The final ingredient is signature humor and a crazy sci-fi story.
Borderlands 2 takes everything that made the first game great and improves on it. While two Borderlands games have been released since the release of Number 2, the second still remains the pinnacle of the series, with impeccable jokes and incredibly balanced gameplay.
This edition includes all downloadable content released for the game over the years. Here you and your companions have an amazing amount of play to play. However, don’t be discouraged if you are more of a lone wolf. Unlike the first game, Borderlands 2 is a very interesting single player game.
Dirt Rally
Rally is an incredibly underrated racing video game genre. We are sure they do not have the same excitement as in racing games in which you collide with other cars. In most rally formats, you are competing with yourself, but no less heartbeat from that! Especially when you’re racing across different surfaces, incredibly technically challenging tracks and driving an insane 4WD monster with massive power coming from its ears.
Of all the rally games you could play, Dirt Rally and the series that preceded it are some of the best. This is the title of Codemasters. The people behind Colin Mcrae Rally and other top-notch racing games. Not only does Dirt Rally look absolutely stunning, the racing experience is second to none.
The game features over 40 real-world cars modeled with incredible precision. There are over 70 stages in six rallies. Once you’ve mastered them, you can create your own rallies by mixing and matching stages. If you are a craftswoman, the game also offers systems in which you have to repair, tune and modify your car. This is a mud lover’s dream and in such a realistic game you will feel like you really have to collect dirt and insects from your teeth.
Linux can play!
While Linux is still not the first choice of operating system for PC gaming, it is no longer the most distant choice. With these great built-in ports and the plethora of Windows games now running thanks to projects like Steam Play, there’s no reason to stick with the tedious old work on a Linux computer.
The more people discover a Linux bug, the more developers will support it. So why not show them a little love and buy some great Linux games? All links above are for the Humble Store, which means that a percentage of your purchase goes to charity. There are no flaws.
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