Gaming on GNU/Linux systems is becoming more and more feasible, with updated video drivers coming frequently from both major sides of the market, and more people learning about and using GNU/Linux based systems.
While SteamOS in the eyes of many fell short of its potential, it did help to bolster awareness about GNU/Linux and attract more users, and developers alike.
Steam itself however, can be install on most GNU/Linux systems incredibly easily, natively through your package manager, and run currently over 3000 games. With that said, here are, in my opinion, the top 5 games you can play through Steam, natively with no using WINE needed, on GNU/Linux.
Top 5 Native Linux Steam Games
1. ARK: Survival Evolved
If you haven’t played ARK yet, you seriously should be looking into it. If Minecraft and Jurassic Park had a child that was raised by its uncle Star Wars, that child would grow up to be Ark. It’s very much a survival game full of foraging for wood, stone, berries, and pooping on the beach. However, as you progress in level, crafting ability, and dinosaurs you eventually tame, you get more powerful eventually potentially reaching glowey lasers and pew pew potential rather than bows and stone hatchets.
The graphics in this game are very, very powerful and require a mighty rig to run on max @ 1080p or higher, but at lower settings the game can still be playable on modest desktop setups, provided you have a semi decent dedicated graphics card, at the least.
PVP and PVE are both major elements to the game (Person vs person, and Person vs Environment) so for those of you who are into either or both; you’ll have no issue finding things to do, and the online community is huge, with plenty of custom, modded, and vanilla servers alike.
2. Rocket League
I wrote an article recently about Rocket League being played using an Xbox 360 Controller in Ubuntu, and once again I’ll mention it here; this game should be on your shopping list. For around twenty bucks, you can play MLG (Major League Gaming) Soccer/Football in rocket powered cars. This is a real thing, and its intense.
The graphics are astounding considering the low requirements, and the soundtrack (in my opinion) is just as noteworthy. There is plenty of customizable cars and options for free, and more to unlock through the crate system. The gameplay is really where this game shines though, as with time and effort, you can really learn to have some amazing aerial boost control for some amazing teamplay and outrageous shots. Check it out!
3. Counter Strike – Global Offensive
Counter Strike has been one of the most popular online FPS games since the early 2000’s, and as Valve keeps coming out with new versions, that doesn’t seem to change. Counter Strike Global Offensive is the current latest version of the franchise, and it doesn’t disappoint. Anyone who played Counter Strike Source, will feel right at home, and even fans of the original alike will probably love the updated graphics and engine. There is always, 24 hours a day, thousands and thousands of people playing this SWAT vs Terrorist themed shooter, and it runs natively on GNU/Linux, as well.
4. Team Fortress 2
Another Valve game, this time, 100% free to play with no real hinderance at all. Another FPS entry, Team Fortress 2 however is far from anything like CS:GO, in both graphics, gameplay, and overall style. Team Fortress 2 is absolutely hilarious, with its completely rediculously cliche and trope’ish characters, voice acting, and weapons, the game mocks itself in a sense, and pulls it of perfectly. The gameplay is balanced, populated servers at all times, and plenty of fun, for free. Oh, and it runs nicely on weaker systems too, so long as you’re not running a potato, you can probably shoot people in TF2.
5. Portal / Portal 2
If you haven’t played the Portal games, we probably can’t be friends, at least until you do. If you’ve ever heard the reference online to ‘the cake is a lie,’ this is where it comes from, and so are two amazingly hilarious endgame songs sang by a psychopathic robot hellbent on killing you, or at least getting you away.
Portal is a unique FPS puzzle game that is better described through watching the youtube video above, than my words. But I’ll say this: Portal 2 has Co-Op, and it’s crazy awesome fun to play with friends.
Watch the video, then buy the games. I cheated and put two games, because they are that good.
Now you: What are your favourite Native Linux Games? Let us know in the comments!
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