Best Addictive Linux Games on Steam

Steam currently has 476 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 5/16/2024.

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 94,455 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 91,882 positive reviews and 2,573 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $1.99 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 $1.99
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 68,170 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 66,279 positive reviews and 1,891 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 197,431 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 189,827 positive reviews and 7,604 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $7.49 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 $7.49
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 24,204 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,445 positive reviews and 759 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 71,189 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 68,062 positive reviews and 3,127 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $2.49 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 $2.49
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 14,760 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 14,201 positive reviews and 559 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 94, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Addictive games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 41,929 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 39,989 positive reviews and 1,940 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 7,072 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,814 positive reviews and 258 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 4,462 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,311 positive reviews and 151 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 51,187 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 48,369 positive reviews and 2,818 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 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 $14.99
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
522
10/23/2012
96
$1.99
Steam Charts
Papers, Please steam charts
448
8/8/2013
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Sid Meier's Civilization® V steam charts
14,496
9/21/2010
95
$7.49
Steam Charts
Super Hexagon steam charts
18
11/27/2012
95
$2.99
Steam Charts
FTL: Faster Than Light steam charts
1,312
9/14/2012
94
$2.49
Steam Charts
Mini Metro steam charts
108
11/6/2015
94
$9.99
Steam Charts
Game Dev Tycoon steam charts
217
8/29/2013
94
$9.99
Steam Charts
Coloring Pixels steam charts
429
8/17/2018
93
Free
Steam Charts
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal steam charts
242
3/27/2014
93
$14.99
Steam Charts
Plague Inc: Evolved steam charts
326
2/18/2016
93
$14.99
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, May 16). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Hotline Miami on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, March 11). Papers, Please on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Super Hexagon on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 15). Mini Metro on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, March 23). Game Dev Tycoon on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Coloring Pixels on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, March 22). Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, April 30). Plague Inc: Evolved on Steam. Steam Store.

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