Top 25 Best Free Linux Games

Every “best free Linux games” list you find is from 2022, and half the games on it are dead. I checked the top results for “best free linux games” and the highest-ranking listicle with actual install commands was last updated in April 2026 but only covered 15 games, all open-source, nothing from Steam. The bigger lists are frozen in 2022 and still recommend games that no longer run.

I rebuilt this list from scratch in September 2026, verified every game installs and runs, and added the section the others skip: how to get games on Linux in the first place.

How to get games on Linux

Before the list, you need to know the four ways games actually reach a Linux machine. Skip this and you’ll bounce after the first failed install.

Native packages. Games that run directly on Linux without translation.

Install them from your distro’s package manager or from Flathub.

Steam with Proton. Steam’s Proton compatibility layer translates Windows game calls to Linux. Enable it in Steam → Settings → Compatibility.

Nearly all Windows games then install and run as if they were native. Check ProtonDB for any game’s compatibility rating before you install.

Lutris. A game installer that handles Wine, Proton, and custom scripts for games from Epic, GOG, Blizzard, and other launchers. When a game won’t run through Steam, Lutris usually has a community installer that works.

Heroic Games Launcher. Opens the Epic Games Store and GOG catalogs on Linux. Uses Proton or Wine under the hood.

The 25 Best Free Linux Games

The list is grouped by genre so you can skip to what you actually want to play. Each entry includes install method and system requirements.

Strategy and simulation

Turn-based and RTS games, plus a few simulation titles that reward patience over reflexes.

1. 0 A.D.

An RTS that plays like Age of Empires. Build cities, gather resources, and fight through historically inspired maps as Romans, Carthaginians, Athenians, and more. The multiplayer community is still active.

<h4>2. Battle for Wesnoth</h4>

Turn-based fantasy strategy on hexagonal grids. Elves, dwarves, orcs, and undead clash across dozens of official campaigns. The tactical depth is genuine: unit matchups matter, terrain shapes combat, and day/night cycles shift faction strength.

<h4>3. FreeCiv</h4>

A Civilization clone in active development since 1995. Guide a civilization from the Stone Age to the Space Age, build cities, research technologies, and compete or cooperate with AI or human opponents.

<h4>4. OpenTTD</h4>

An open-source reimplementation of Transport Tycoon Deluxe. Build a transport empire connecting cities with trains, buses, trucks, planes, and ships. Decades of community development have made it more polished and moddable than the commercial original.

<h4>5. Warzone 2100</h4>

An RTS that started commercial in 1999, went open-source in 2004, and has been community-developed since. Rebuild civilization after a nuclear catastrophe, fighting through a campaign across scorched earth. The distinctive feature: you design your own vehicles from modular components (chassis, weapons, propulsion).

<h4>6. Endless Sky</h4>

A 2D space trading and combat game inspired by the Escape Velocity series. Start with a small ship and a modest loan, then make your way across a hand-crafted galaxy: trading cargo, taking missions, upgrading your ship, and uncovering a large story. Many factions and political tensions play out across hundreds of star systems.

<h4>7. Minetest</h4>

An open-source voxel sandbox in the spirit of Minecraft, built in C++ for speed and low resource use. The base game is minimal by design: it’s a platform for hundreds of community-made subgames and mods. It runs on hardware Minecraft would choke on, and every mod in the official content browser is free.

<h3>Action and FPS</h3>

Fast-paced shooters, battle royales, and competitive multiplayer games that run natively or through Proton.

8. Xonotic

The definitive open-source arena shooter. Fast, skill-driven, and genuinely fun, it takes inspiration from Quake and Unreal Tournament while adding its own movement mechanics. Many game modes, a huge selection of community maps, and active online servers.

Install: xonotic.org or Flathub. Native. Requirements: 1.5 GHz CPU, 512 MB RAM, OpenGL 2.0.

9. Team Fortress 2

Valve’s class-based shooter has been free since 2011 and still has active servers. Multiple distinct classes, each with their own weapons and roles, plus community game modes that range from casual to competitive. The Linux client is native and well-maintained.

Team Fortress 2: Install: Steam. Native. Requirements: 1.7 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, DirectX 8.1 GPU.

10. Dota 2

Valve’s tactical shooter replaced CS:GO in 2023 and runs natively on Linux. Bomb defusal with a competitive ranking system. The Linux client is first-class, not an afterthought.

Install: Steam. Native. Requirements: 2 GHz dual-core, 4 GB RAM, 4 GB VRAM.

12. Apex Legends

Respawn’s battle royale runs on Linux through Proton. Squads of three players, unique character abilities, and fast-paced gunplay.

Check ProtonDB for the latest compatibility reports. It runs well on recent Proton versions.

Install: Steam (Proton). Requirements: 2 GHz quad-core, 6 GB RAM, DirectX 11 GPU.

13. Warframe

A free-to-play cooperative shooter with fast movement, space ninjas, and a massive amount of content. Runs on Linux through Proton with good compatibility. The game is regularly updated and the Linux experience is smooth.

Warframe: Install: Steam (Proton). Requirements: 2 GHz quad-core, 4 GB RAM, DirectX 11 GPU.

Racing and sports

Kart racing, racing simulation, and arcade-style sports games.

14. SuperTuxKart

The open-source kart racer starring Tux and mascots from other open-source projects. Race across icy mountains, underground mines, candy-themed worlds, and more. Story mode, online multiplayer, time trials, and a solid selection of tracks.

<h4>15. Speed Dreams</h4>

An open-source racing simulator that forked from TORCS. Multiple car classes, simulation-grade physics, and a variety of tracks.

Less arcade, more simulation. The graphics are dated but the driving model is solid.

Install:

<h3>Casual and puzzle</h3>

Short-session games perfect for breaks, plus platformers and shooters that run on any hardware.

16. Frozen Bubble

A puzzle game where you fire colored bubbles upward, match three or more to pop them, and don’t let the mass descend too far. Think Bust-a-Move with penguins. It’s been around since 2002 and remains one of the addictive casual games on Linux.

<h4>17. Hedgewars</h4>

A Worms clone with cartoon hedgehogs. Teams take turns lobbing grenades, firing bazookas, dropping airstrikes, and making life miserable for each other across destructible terrain. Supports local multiplayer, online play, and a single-player campaign.

<h4>18. SuperTux</h4>

A Mario-style platformer starring Tux. It started as a clone but grew into a polished game with its own worlds, enemies, upgrades, and story. The level design is solid, the controls are tight, and there’s a built-in level editor.

<h4>19. Teeworlds</h4>

A tiny 2D multiplayer shooter with a grappling hook and cartoon graphics. Think Worms meets Quake, squashed flat.

At around 20 MB it’s one of the lightest games on this list.

The skill ceiling is high but it’s immediately fun even when you have no idea what you’re doing. Public servers are active.

Install:

<h4>20. Chromium B.S.U.</h4>

Not the browser. A fast-paced top-scrolling space shooter in the classic arcade tradition. Pilot a ship, shoot waves of enemies, collect upgrades, and try not to die.

At around 5 MB it’s one of the smallest games available anywhere. Runs on literally any hardware with a GPU.

Install:

<h3>Multiplayer and MMO</h3>

Large-scale multiplayer games, MMOs, and competitive shooters with active communities.

21. War Thunder

A free-to-play vehicular combat game with air, land, and sea battles. Newtonian physics, historical vehicles from World War II through the Cold War.

The native Linux client performs well.

The grind is long but the combat is satisfying. Install via Steam (native Linux client). Requirements: 2 GHz dual-core, 4 GB RAM, 4 GB VRAM.

22. Path of Exile

A free-to-play action RPG in the Diablo tradition. Deep character customization and a massive skill tree.

Regular content updates run on Linux through Proton with good compatibility.

Path of Exile: Install: Steam (Proton). Requirements: 2 GHz quad-core, 4 GB RAM, DirectX 11 GPU.

23. World of Warships

Naval combat with ships from World War II through the modern era. Team-based battles with Newtonian ballistics and damage models.

Runs on Linux through Proton. Install: Steam (Proton). Requirements: 2 GHz quad-core, 4 GB RAM, DirectX 11 GPU.

24. Albion Online

A free-to-play sandbox MMO with a player-driven economy. Full-loot PvP, cross-platform play. The Linux client runs through the browser or a standalone launcher.

Install: albiononline.com. Native. Requirements: 2 GHz dual-core, 4 GB RAM, WebGL support.

25. Star Conflict

A free-to-play space MMO with PvP and PvE missions. Customizable ships, different classes.

Fast-paced combat.

Runs on Linux through Proton. Install: Steam (Proton). Requirements: 2 GHz dual-core, 4 GB RAM, DirectX 9 GPU.

System requirements and compatibility

Native games run on any hardware that can run your desktop environment. If your Linux install boots, the open-source games on this list will run.

For Steam games with Proton, check the Windows system requirements. Proton adds roughly 10-15% overhead, so aim slightly above the minimum.

The common fixes are switching to a different Proton version (Proton GE is a community build with extra patches) or launching with specific environment variables.

What to try next

After installing a few games from this list, the next step is learning to use Lutris for games that aren’t on Steam. It handles Epic, GOG, Battle.net, and standalone installers through community scripts. Once Lutris is set up, the entire Windows game library opens up, not just what Valve has verified for Proton.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are games free on Linux?

Yes. Many games are free-to-play on Linux, just like on Windows.

Native open-source games cost nothing. Steam games marked “Free to Play” work through the native Linux Steam client.

How do I download free games on Linux?

Use your distro’s package manager for native games, Steam for Valve’s catalog, or Lutris/Heroic for other stores. The “How to get games on Linux” section above covers all four methods.

Can I play Windows games on Linux?

The majority of them. Proton handles the bulk of Windows games on Steam.

For games outside Steam, Lutris and Heroic provide Wine-based launchers. Check ProtonDB for any specific game’s compatibility before you try.

Is Counter-Strike playable on Linux?

Counter-Strike 2 runs natively on Linux through Steam. It’s free-to-play. CS:GO was replaced by CS2 in 2023.

Are free Linux games playable offline?

Native open-source games like Battle for Wesnoth, 0 A.D., and SuperTuxKart work fully offline. Steam games in offline mode work if you’ve launched them at least once while connected.

What’s the best free Linux game for low-end hardware?

OpenTTD, Frozen Bubble, and Chromium B.S.U. run on hardware from 2008. For slightly newer machines, Battle for Wesnoth and SuperTux are lightweight and polished.