Best Addictive Linux Games on Steam

Steam currently has 485 Addictive games, but not all of them are able to be played on Linux builds. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Addictive game rankings were last updated on 12/11/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Hotline Miami

Hotline Miami is a high-octane action game overflowing with raw brutality, hard-boiled gunplay and skull crushing close combat.

Hotline Miami banner

Hotline Miami holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Addictive game on Steam" with a Player Score of 96. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 100,305 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 97,477 positive reviews and 2,828 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 10/23/2012
Developer Dennaton Games
Publisher Devolver Digital
Steam App Id 219150

2. Papers, Please

Congratulations. The October labor lottery is complete. Your name was pulled. For immediate placement, report to the Ministry of Admission at Grestin Border Checkpoint. An apartment will be provided for you and your family in East Grestin. Expect a Class-8 dwelling.

Papers, Please banner

Papers, Please has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 71,595 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,641 positive reviews and 1,954 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 8/8/2013
Developer Lucas Pope
Publisher 3909
Steam App Id 239030

3. Sid Meier's Civilization® V

Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!

Sid Meier's Civilization® V banner

Sid Meier's Civilization® V has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 200,499 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 192,618 positive reviews and 7,881 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Sid Meier's Civilization® V on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $29.99
Release Date 9/21/2010
Franchise Civilization Franchise
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 8930

4. Super Hexagon

Super Hexagon is a minimal action game by Terry Cavanagh, with music by Chipzel.

Super Hexagon banner

Super Hexagon has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,456 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,691 positive reviews and 765 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $2.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $2.99
Release Date 11/27/2012
Franchise Terry Cavanagh
Developer Terry Cavanagh
Publisher Terry Cavanagh
Steam App Id 221640

5. FTL: Faster Than Light

This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.

FTL: Faster Than Light banner

FTL: Faster Than Light has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 73,125 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 69,838 positive reviews and 3,287 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play FTL: Faster Than Light on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 9/14/2012
Developer Subset Games
Publisher Subset Games
Steam App Id 212680

6. Mini Metro

Mini Metro is a strategy simulation game about designing a subway map for a growing city. Draw lines between stations and start your trains running. As new stations open, redraw your lines to keep them efficient. Decide where to use your limited resources. How long can you keep the city moving?

Mini Metro banner

Mini Metro has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,238 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,660 positive reviews and 578 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 11/6/2015
Developer Dinosaur Polo Club
Publisher Dinosaur Polo Club
Steam App Id 287980

7. Game Dev Tycoon

In Game Dev Tycoon you replay the history of the gaming industry by starting your own video game development company in the 80s. Create best selling games. Research new technologies and invent new game types. Become the leader of the market and gain worldwide fans.

Game Dev Tycoon banner

Game Dev Tycoon has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 42,792 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,783 positive reviews and 2,009 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Game Dev Tycoon on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 8/29/2013
Franchise Greenheart Games
Developer Greenheart Games 💚
Publisher Greenheart Games 💚
Steam App Id 239820

8. Coloring Pixels

A relaxing coloring by numbers game. Enjoy completing a variety of images with differing themes, complexity, and sizes.

Coloring Pixels banner

Coloring Pixels has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,551 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,279 positive reviews and 272 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Coloring Pixels on the Steam Deck.

Release Date 8/17/2018
Developer ToastieLabs
Publisher ToastieLabs
Steam App Id 897330

9. Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal

Creeper World 3 is what happens when cellular automata takes over a strategy simulation. Instead of discrete units that attack your base, a fluid-like substance spreads over the terraformable terrain. Your base, your weapons, your strategy... you must adapt them all.

Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal banner

Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,538 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,386 positive reviews and 152 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 3/27/2014
Developer Knuckle Cracker
Publisher Knuckle Cracker
Steam App Id 280220

10. Plague Inc: Evolved

Plague Inc: Evolved is a unique mix of high strategy and terrifyingly realistic simulation. Your pathogen has just infected 'Patient Zero' - now you must bring about the end of human history by evolving a deadly, global Plague whilst adapting against everything humanity can do to defend itself.

Plague Inc: Evolved banner

Plague Inc: Evolved has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 53,175 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 50,242 positive reviews and 2,933 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $4.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $4.49
Release Date 2/18/2016
Franchise Ndemic Creations
Developer Ndemic Creations
Publisher Ndemic Creations
Steam App Id 246620

More Addictive Linux Games on Steam

Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Addictive games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Hotline Miami steam charts
166
10/23/2012
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Papers, Please steam charts
236
8/8/2013
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Sid Meier's Civilization® V steam charts
11,086
9/21/2010
95
$29.99
Steam Charts
Super Hexagon steam charts
11
11/27/2012
95
$2.99
Steam Charts
FTL: Faster Than Light steam charts
940
9/14/2012
94
$9.99
Steam Charts
Mini Metro steam charts
135
11/6/2015
94
$9.99
Steam Charts
Game Dev Tycoon steam charts
125
8/29/2013
93
$9.99
Steam Charts
Coloring Pixels steam charts
415
8/17/2018
93
Free
Steam Charts
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal steam charts
152
3/27/2014
93
$14.99
Steam Charts
Plague Inc: Evolved steam charts
466
2/18/2016
93
$4.49
Steam Charts

Soures & References

Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.

  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). Hotline Miami on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 6). Papers, Please on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 7). Super Hexagon on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 6). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 5). Mini Metro on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 6). Game Dev Tycoon on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Coloring Pixels on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 5). Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 11). Plague Inc: Evolved on Steam. Steam Store.

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