Best Difficult Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 8,564 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 1/6/2026.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best difficult games on Steam
- Best difficult Steam Deck games
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- Free difficult games on Steam
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- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Aseprite
Aseprite is a pixel-art tool to create 2D animations, sprites, and any kind of graphics for games.
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 24,490 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,252 positive reviews and 238 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 |
| Developers | |
| 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!
Slay the Spire has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 201,241 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 196,621 positive reviews and 4,620 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $6.24 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 | $6.24 |
| Release Date | 1/23/2019 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 646570 |
3. Helltaker
Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.
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 126,463 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 123,568 positive reviews and 2,895 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).
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 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 376,570 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 366,231 positive reviews and 10,339 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. 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!
tModLoader 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 349,304 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 339,283 positive reviews and 10,021 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).
6. 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.
Celeste 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 134,969 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 131,484 positive reviews and 3,485 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $4.99 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 | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 1/25/2018 |
| Franchise | EXOK Games |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Maddy Makes Games Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 504230 |
7. 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.
Hollow Knight 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 519,604 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 503,559 positive reviews and 16,045 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 |
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.
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 24,752 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 24,332 positive reviews and 420 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 | 12/6/2025 |
| 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.
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 176,467 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 171,269 positive reviews and 5,198 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. 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 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 77,624 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 75,518 positive reviews and 2,106 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 |
More Difficult Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Difficult games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,933 | 2/22/2016 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 25,570 | 1/23/2019 | 96 | $6.24 | Steam Charts | |
| 54 | 5/11/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 26,573 | 11/4/2014 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 36,952 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 2,178 | 1/25/2018 | 96 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 13,466 | 2/24/2017 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 385 | 12/6/2025 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,089 | 8/6/2018 | 96 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 469 | 8/8/2013 | 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. (2026, January 6). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 6). Aseprite on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 18). Slay the Spire on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 9). Helltaker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 15). The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 14). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 12). Celeste on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 18). Hollow Knight on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 19). Rhythm Doctor on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2026, January 18). Dead Cells on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, November 27). Papers, Please on Steam. Steam Store.