Best Difficult Linux Games on Steam

Steam currently has 7,655 Difficult 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. Difficult game rankings were last updated on 4/10/2025.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Aseprite

Aseprite is a pixel-art tool to create 2D animations, sprites, and any kind of graphics for games.

Aseprite banner

Aseprite holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Difficult game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,433 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,242 positive reviews and 191 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. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Aseprite on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 2/22/2016
Developer David Capello
Publisher Igara Studio
Steam App Id 431730

2. Slay the Spire

We fused card games and roguelikes together to make the best single player deckbuilder we could. Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!

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Slay the Spire has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 180,167 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 176,215 positive reviews and 3,952 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $24.99 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 $24.99
Release Date 1/23/2019
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 646570

3. Helltaker

Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.

Helltaker banner

Helltaker has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 124,538 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 121,751 positive reviews and 2,787 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 possible to play Helltaker on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 5/11/2020
Developer vanripper
Publisher vanripper
Steam App Id 1289310

4. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a randomly generated action RPG shooter with heavy Rogue-like elements. Following Isaac on his journey players will find bizarre treasures that change Isaac’s form giving him super human abilities and enabling him to fight off droves of mysterious creatures, discover secrets and fight his way to safety.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth banner

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 339,429 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 330,424 positive reviews and 9,005 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. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 11/4/2014
Developers
Publisher Nicalis, Inc.
Steam App Id 250900

5. Hollow Knight

Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.

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Hollow Knight has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 409,984 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 397,846 positive reviews and 12,138 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. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 2/24/2017
Developer Team Cherry
Publisher Team Cherry
Steam App Id 367520

6. tModLoader

Dig, Fight, and Build your way through the world of player-created mods on Terraria with tModLoader - this DLC makes modding Terraria a reality!

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tModLoader has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 308,938 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 300,008 positive reviews and 8,930 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 possible to play tModLoader on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 5/16/2020
Developer TML Team
Publishers
Steam App Id 1281930

7. Celeste

Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.

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Celeste has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 118,843 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 115,827 positive reviews and 3,016 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 1/25/2018
Franchise EXOK Games
Developers
Publisher Maddy Makes Games Inc.
Steam App Id 504230

8. Rhythm Doctor

Save patients with your rhythm mastery! Rhythm Doctor is a rhythm game where you heal patients by defibrillating in time to their heartbeats. Learn each patient's unique heartbeat and defeat boss viruses trying to sabotage your rhythm, all set to heart-pumping, soul-soothing music.

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Rhythm Doctor has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 21,094 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,765 positive reviews and 329 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $15.99 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 $15.99
Release Date 2/26/2021
Franchise 7th Beat Games
Developer 7th Beat Games
Publishers
Steam App Id 774181

9. Dead Cells

Dead Cells is a roguelite, metroidvania inspired, action-platformer. You'll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle... assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers in 2D souls-lite combat. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

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Dead Cells has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 166,792 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 161,939 positive reviews and 4,853 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $24.99 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 $24.99
Release Date 8/6/2018
Franchise Motion Twin
Developer Motion Twin
Publisher Motion Twin
Steam App Id 588650

10. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 105,616 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 102,611 positive reviews and 3,005 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

More Difficult Linux Games on Steam

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

ImageName
Actions
Aseprite steam charts
4,410
2/22/2016
97
$19.99
Steam Charts
Slay the Spire steam charts
13,746
1/23/2019
97
$24.99
Steam Charts
Helltaker steam charts
47
5/11/2020
96
Free
Steam Charts
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth steam charts
14,762
11/4/2014
96
$14.99
Steam Charts
Hollow Knight steam charts
5,162
2/24/2017
96
$14.99
Steam Charts
tModLoader steam charts
20,790
5/16/2020
96
Free
Steam Charts
Celeste steam charts
1,093
1/25/2018
96
$19.99
Steam Charts
Rhythm Doctor steam charts
45
2/26/2021
96
$15.99
Steam Charts
Dead Cells steam charts
2,056
8/6/2018
96
$24.99
Steam Charts
Hotline Miami steam charts
104
10/23/2012
96
$9.99
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. (2025, April 10). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 10). Aseprite on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 28). Slay the Spire on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 5). Helltaker on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 29). The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 2). Hollow Knight on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 28). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 4). Celeste on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 27). Rhythm Doctor on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 22). Dead Cells on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, April 9). Hotline Miami on Steam. Steam Store.

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