Thanks to Steam offering native Linux support for quite a large number of games and with things like Proton and Lutris promoting long-term support for Linux-based operating systems, that catalog is only expanding.
Linux users interested in free games on Steam have some incredible options, ranging from highly competitive online shooters to more casual-friendly titles that allow players to tackle the game at their own pace.
Warframe
Free-to-Play Sci-Fi Action
Warframe is a free-to-play action RPG with incredible graphics, engaging gameplay, and hundreds of hours of content that is constantly being added on to by the developers. In it, players can unlock various playable characters, referred to as “Warframes.” Each Warframe plays a little bit differently, with unique abilities and gimmicks that drastically change up how the gameplay looks and feels.
Due to the sheer number of Warframes in the game and the farming that is required to max them out, this is an inherently grindy game. But for those who enjoy the gameplay loop and want to invest time and effort into getting their preferred builds up and running, it can be done so while remaining entirely free to play. While Warframe is not natively supported on Linux, it is easily playable on Proton.
Path of Exile
Complex ARPG Build Crafting
For fans of ARPGs like Diablo, Path of Exile is a must-try. A free-to-play game, Path of Exile is a complex, lovingly crafted ARPG experience that has stood the test of time. Best of all, the game is natively supported on Linux, making it playable on any Distro that lets players run games.
Path of Exile follows the seasonal format, with GGG releasing a new season every four months. Each new season brings a fresh wave of content, offering new things to do. PoE’s build variety is one of the game’s biggest achievements, as the massively complex skill tree, the class and subclass options, and the layered systems make for an incredibly addictive gameplay loop.
Dota 2
A Deeply Complex MOBA
After League of Legends Vanguard Anticheat software’s introduction removed the possibility of the game being playable on Linux, Dota 2 is the largest MOBA currently available for Linux users. The game offers a huge roster of playable heroes, each with unique abilities, innates, item builds, and layers upon layers of intricacies that only get more complex the farther players climb the game’s ladder.
For those looking to sink thousands of hours into a game and still keep discovering new complexities, Dota 2 is an excellent choice. Due to the competitive nature of the game, however, the initial learning curve is brutal, but more than worth sticking with in the long-term.
Counter-Strike 2
The Benchmark for Competitive Shooters
Counter-Strike 2 is the ultimate competitive multiplayer FPS on the market right now, and thanks to Valve’s support, Linux users can play the game natively on their systems. Counter-Strike 2 offers a realistic, grounded approach to gunplay, combined with short match lengths to make the title more approachable.
Other than the ranked ladder, players also have the option of diving into more casual game modes like Deathmatch and Arms Race, excellent for those who don’t have the time and the commitment to put hours into ranked matches.
Overwatch 2
Team-Based Hero Shooter Action
Overwatch 2 is a team-based hero shooter, developed and published by Blizzard. While originally a paid title, OW2 has since been made free to play. Better yet, the game has also made its way to Steam, giving Linux users an accessible way to play the title.
Gameplay-wise, Overwatch 2’s hero variety ensures that players of varying skill levels can find a character they are comfortable with, something that games like CS2 don’t offer. In addition to ranked and quick matches, the game offers unique seasonal content, custom game modes, and multiple arcade modes to change things up. Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode, in particular, has become a fan favorite among the community, giving players the chance to build their heroes RPG-style.
Team Fortress 2
Timeless Class-Based Mayhem
The original progenitor of the hero shooter genre, Team Fortress 2, remains one of the highest-rated free games of all time, available natively on Linux. Even after so many years post-release, TF2’s highly loyal player base has kept the game alive and running, a boon for anyone jumping into it right now.
In Team Fortress 2, players can pick and choose between nine character classes, each with a unique gameplay style, at the start of every match. In addition to core game modes like Capture the Flag and King of the Hill, TF2 also offers dozens of casual modes.
Splitgate
Portal Mechanics Meet Arena Shooter
Splitgate is an online free-to-play fast-paced shooter that allows players to make on-the-go portals to jump around the map, similar to how it works in Valve’s Portal games. 1047 Games, the developers of Splitgate, have since turned their attention to the sequel, discontinuing official support and shutting down game servers.
However, online matches for Splitgate remain possible thanks to Peer-to-Peer (P2P) support, a feature the devs have added to the game as an end-of-life plan. As a side effect, the game is no longer natively supported on Linux, but players can still play the Windows version through Proton.
Super Auto Pets
Cozy Yet Competitive Auto Battler
Super Auto Pets is one of the most popular auto battlers currently out in the market, allowing players to build up teams of cute creatures with unique abilities and specializations and pitting them against other player-made teams to see who comes out on top.
Super Auto Pets is natively supported on Linux via Steam, meaning there is no need for things like Proton or Lutris. It is completely free, and perfect for players looking for something more cozy while being somewhat competitive.
OpenTTD
The Ultimate Transport Tycoon Revival
OpenTTD is an open-source simulation game that functions, essentially as a modern-day port of Transport Tycoon Deluxe, a cult classic originally made for DOS, back in 1995. Developed and maintained by a dedicated fanbase, OpenTTD is a culmination of years of fan effort to bring a beloved older title to modern operating systems, including Linux.
Gameplay-wise, OpenTTD is a business simulation game that attempts to capture the economy of being a transport company owner in a competitive marketplace. The goal is to build a transportation network in real-time with progressing technological trees, similar to games like Civilization. The more profit a player makes during a run, the higher the final score.
Guild Wars 2
Massive MMORPG With Rich Lore
Guild Wars 2 is a free-to-play MMORPG with a dedicated player base and decades worth of accumulated content for players to dive into. The base game in Guild Wars 2 is free, but in order to play the many expansions and added content, players will have to purchase them.
That said, the amount of content in the base game is more than enough to allow players to invest a significant amount of time into the game without feeling left out. Reaching max level is not locked behind any subscriptions or paywalls. Thanks to Linux support via Proton, players interested in a cooperative multiplayer experience will find Guild Wars 2 right up their alley.
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