Last Updated on February 26, 2018
Even though there are many top-quality open source games available for Linux, the operating system is still vastly underrated as a gaming platform. Encouragingly, we have seen developers of some of the most popular commercial gaming titles embrace Linux. The welcoming hand that Valve has extended, developing a Linux native version of their Steam client and porting their back catalogue, should accelerate takeup of Linux as a real gaming platform. But it is important that Linux developers do not neglect what has made it a success; high quality open source software.
The purpose of this article is to focus on free Linux games that garner very little attention, certainly far less than any of the commercial counterparts on Steam. All of the games featured here are worth downloading. Whilst some may lack some polish and finesse of their commercial brethren, they are still good fun to play.
To be eligible for inclusion in this list each game needed to meet the following requirements:
- Free to play (no download charge, no monthly charge)
- Does not require Wine to run. Wine is a compatibility layer for running Windows software
- Must be playable and great fun
This article is the third instalment in a four part series, identifying free games that are worth giving a whirl. As games are a matter of taste, we have again tried to cover a wide range of game genres. Hopefully there will be something in this article which will be of interest to any type of gamer.
Now, let’s scrutinize the 6 games at hand. For each game we have compiled its own portal page, providing screenshots of the game in action, a full description of the game, with an in-depth analysis of the features of the game, together with links to relevant resources and reviews.
| Peachy Games | |
|---|---|
| Flare | Game engine for classic isometric action RPGs |
| Evolution RTS | Real-time-strategy-like game |
| M.A.R.S. | Crazy space shooting game |
| Trigger Rally | Fast-paced open source rally racing game |
| ZEZ2 Lite | Based on a highly modified ioQuake3 engine foundation |
| Illarion | Online roleplaying game within a middle age fantasy setting |
 Read our complete collection of recommended free and open source software. Our curated compilation covers all categories of software. The software collection forms part of our series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. There are hundreds of in-depth reviews, open source alternatives to proprietary software from large corporations like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. There are also fun things to try, hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. |