Best Classic Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 1,700 Classic 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. Classic game rankings were last updated on 2/14/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best classic games on Steam
- Best classic Steam Deck games
- Best classic Steam games (for Mac OS)
- Free classic games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Portal
Portal™ is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.
Portal holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Classic game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 173,083 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 170,418 positive reviews and 2,665 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
2. Half-Life 2
Reawakened from stasis in the occupied metropolis of City 17, Gordon Freeman is joined by Alyx Vance as he leads a desperate human resistance. Experience the landmark first-person shooter packed with immersive world-building, boundary-pushing physics, and exhilarating combat.
Half-Life 2 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 236,238 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 230,551 positive reviews and 5,687 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
3. Counter-Strike
Play the world's number 1 online action game. Engage in an incredibly realistic brand of terrorist warfare in this wildly popular team-based game. Ally with teammates to complete strategic missions. Take out enemy sites. Rescue hostages. Your role affects your team's success. Your team's success affects your role.
Counter-Strike has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 247,236 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 240,900 positive reviews and 6,336 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 Counter-Strike on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
4. POSTAL 2
Live a week in the life of "The POSTAL Dude"; a hapless everyman just trying to check off some chores. Buying milk, returning an overdue library book, getting Gary Coleman's autograph, what could possibly go wrong?
POSTAL 2 has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 111,209 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 107,643 positive reviews and 3,566 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $0.99 |
| Release Date | 11/2/2012 |
| Franchise | Postal Franchise |
| Developer | Running With Scissors |
| Publisher | Running With Scissors |
| Steam App Id | 223470 |
5. Half-Life
Named Game of the Year by over 50 publications, Valve's debut title blends action and adventure with award-winning technology to create a frighteningly realistic world where players must think to survive. Also includes an exciting multiplayer mode that allows you to play against friends and enemies around the world.
Half-Life has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 144,793 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 139,803 positive reviews and 4,990 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.
6. Half-Life 2: Episode Two
Half-Life® 2: Episode Two is the second in a trilogy of new games created by Valve that extends the award-winning and best-selling Half-Life® adventure. As Dr. Gordon Freeman, you were last seen exiting City 17 with Alyx Vance as the Citadel erupted amidst a storm of unknown proportions.
Half-Life 2: Episode Two has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 41,941 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 40,704 positive reviews and 1,237 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
7. DUSK
Battle through an onslaught of mystical backwater cultists, possessed militants & even darker forces as you attempt to discover just what lurks beneath the Earth in this retro FPS inspired by the '90s legends.
DUSK has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 22,908 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,305 positive reviews and 603 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 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 | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 12/10/2018 |
| Franchise | New Blood Interactive |
| Developer | David Szymanski |
| Publisher | New Blood Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 519860 |
8. Sid Meier's Civilization® V
Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!
Sid Meier's Civilization® V has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 202,411 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 193,906 positive reviews and 8,505 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 |
9. Black Mesa
Relive Half-Life.
Black Mesa has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 122,384 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 116,590 positive reviews and 5,794 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Black Mesa on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 3/6/2020 |
| Developer | Crowbar Collective |
| Publisher | Crowbar Collective |
| Steam App Id | 362890 |
10. Half-Life 2: Episode One
Half-Life 2 has sold over 4 million copies worldwide, and earned over 35 Game of the Year Awards. Episode One is the first in a series of games that reveal the aftermath of Half-Life 2 and launch a journey beyond City 17. Also features two multiplayer games. Half-Life 2 not required.
Half-Life 2: Episode One has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Classic games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 31,946 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 30,598 positive reviews and 1,348 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Half-Life 2: Episode One on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
More Classic Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Classic games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 786 | 10/10/2007 | 97 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,622 | 11/16/2004 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 11,603 | 11/1/2000 | 96 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 826 | 11/2/2012 | 95 | $0.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 1,067 | 11/19/1998 | 95 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 53 | 10/10/2007 | 95 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
| 67 | 12/10/2018 | 95 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 22,975 | 9/21/2010 | 95 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 767 | 3/6/2020 | 94 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 27 | 6/1/2006 | 94 | ??? | 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. (2025, February 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Portal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 11). Half-Life 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). Counter-Strike on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 12). POSTAL 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 5). Half-Life on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 11). Half-Life 2: Episode Two on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 13). DUSK on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, January 22). Black Mesa on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 11). Half-Life 2: Episode One on Steam. Steam Store.