There is no doubt that Linux gaming is on the rise. Valve, one of the largest gaming companies in the world, has ported its Steam gaming platform to Linux. This was a major development because it means that many popular PC games are playable on Linux.
In the past, Linux has not been a popular platform for gaming because there were not many games available for it. However, this is changing. In addition to Valve’s effort, several other companies are developing the best Linux games. For example, Unity Technologies, the company that makes the Unity game engine, recently announced that it will be releasing a Linux version of its engine. This will make it easier for developers to create Linux games.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best Linux games that you can install and play on your machine. Now, there are a lot of games that you can install on Linux and I’m not going to be able to list them all. Instead, I’m going to list some of the more popular games that are available and that you can install on your Linux machine.
Our list of best Linux games in 2023
Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 is an epic open-world action RPG based on the Witcher series of books written by Andrzej Sapkowski.
The Witcher 3 follows Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher, who is on a quest to find his adopted daughter, Ciri. Geralt must also deal with the political turmoil that is enveloping the Continent. The game is widely considered to be one of the best RPGs ever made and has won numerous awards, including Game of the Year.
The Witcher 3 is an open-world action RPG that is heavily focused on the story. The game features a large and detailed open world, filled with side quests and other activities. The game also features a robust combat system, which allows players to use a variety of weapons and magic.
You can play it on Linux using SteamPlay/Proton (5.0+).
Cyberpunk 2077
Action Sci-Fi blockbuster Cyberpunk 2077 is another game from CD Project RED in our list that you can play on Linux. It’s an action-adventure game set in a dystopian future. It follows the story of V, a mercenary who slowly assimilates into civilization and is lured into the world of crime. The game is played in the first-person perspective and focuses on exploration, combat, and character customization.
You can run this on Linux using Steamplay.
Doom (2016)
This game runs without any hassle on Linux with the DXVK. You can run it through Lutris or if you have a copy on Steam, you also can use SteamPlay. It is a first-person shooter video game developed by idSoftware and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game is a reboot of the Doom franchise and is the first major installment in the series since the release of Doom 3 in 2004. Doom has been well-received by critics and was awarded the Game of the Year by multiple publications.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is one of the most played e-sport games of the current time. It is a multiplayer first-person shooter video game and is the fourth game in the Counter-Strike series.
The game pits two teams against each other: the Terrorists and the Counter-Terrorists. Both teams are tasked with eliminating the other while also completing separate objectives. The game has nine game modes, all of which have distinct characteristics specific to that mode.
It has a native port for Linux and we consider it one of the best Linux games.
League of Legends
The second e-sport game in our list is also very popular among players from all over the world. You can run it on Linux using Lutris. It’s a MOBA, Multiplayer Online Battle Arena for short, that is a genre of games in which two teams of five players face each other, each one trying to destroy the enemy’s main structure. Installation on Linux can be a little bit complicated, but we’ll prepare a whole tutorial about League of Legends on Linux for you in our special series of articles.
Is 2023 the year of Linux?
Yes, definitely! One reason that Linux has seen a surge in popularity is the success of Valve’s Proton. Proton is a compatibility layer that allows users to run Windows games on Linux. This has made it much easier for gamers to switch to Linux, as they no longer have to worry about whether their favorite games will work.
Update: It’s now possible to play Diablo 4 on Linux!
Best Linux games – will there be more?
Yes, there will be more Linux games in the future. Linux is a platform that is growing in popularity, so there is a good chance that more developers will create games for it. It’s also a free and open-source platform, so it’s very attractive for independent developers.