Last Updated on December 10, 2018
There are often reports regarding concerns about computer games having negative effects on children and adults, with the fear that these games can lead to violent behaviour and addiction. However, studies by leading researchers have shown that there are many positive attributes to playing computer games, some of which we have alluded to in our earlier articles. Computer games can help players to improve their cognitive skills, enhance creativity, deepen language and maths skills, and help people to think on their feet and outside the box, the latter referring to novel, creative and smart thinking. However, above all these things, games offer pure, unadulterated fun.
Linux is vastly underrated as a gaming platform. This may be due to the fact that there is no significant marketing of Linux games. With a lack of big-name games featuring in the computing press, coupled with a low market share for Linux on desktop PCs, things might seem bleak, with major barriers to the growth of Linux games.
However, the reality is that Linux has a huge range of games (predominately free to download). Whilst they do not gain much publicity, many of them offer real depth and gameplay. The purpose of this three part article is to help draw attention to these unsung gems.
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.
- Not in the early stages of development.
Now, let’s scrutinize the 7 games at hand. For each game we have compiled its own portal page, providing screenshots of the game in action, a full description with an in-depth analysis of the features of the game, together with links to relevant resources and reviews.
| Notable Free Games | |
|---|---|
| Gunroar | Addictive shoot 'em up game with frenetic action |
| Open Clonk | Mining, settling and fast-paced melees |
| Smash Battle | 8-bit style 2D platform game |
| violetland | Similar to Crimsonland with RPG elements |
| PyTraffic | Python simulation of the game Rush Hour |
| LGeneral | Turn-based strategy engine heavily inspired by Panzer General |
| MoonPy | Remake of the classic strategy game Moonbase Commander |
Read about the other 14 free games covered in this article: Part 1, Part 2.
Last Updated: June 2018
 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. |