Best Difficult Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 6,613 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 5/16/2024.
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
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
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1. 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 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 155,594 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 152,258 positive reviews and 3,336 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $8.49 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 | $8.49 |
| Release Date | 1/23/2019 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 646570 |
2. Aseprite
Aseprite is a pixel-art tool to create 2D animations, sprites, and any kind of graphics for games.
Aseprite 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 17,463 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17,309 positive reviews and 154 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 |
3. 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 #3 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 287,079 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 280,008 positive reviews and 7,071 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 |
4. Helltaker
Helltaker is a short game about sharply dressed demon girls.
Helltaker 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 118,169 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 115,566 positive reviews and 2,603 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).
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.
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 349,267 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 339,265 positive reviews and 10,002 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. 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 93,094 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 90,879 positive reviews and 2,215 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 |
7. 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 #7 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 19,551 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,252 positive reviews and 299 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 |
8. 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 #8 spot for the best Linux Difficult games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 248,755 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 241,425 positive reviews and 7,330 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).
9. Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a rogue-lite, 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. Regular free content updates!
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 151,442 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 147,177 positive reviews and 4,265 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $12.49 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 | $12.49 |
| Release Date | 8/6/2018 |
| 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 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 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 |
More Difficult Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Difficult games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 10,876 | 1/23/2019 | 97 | $8.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,090 | 2/22/2016 | 97 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 11,138 | 11/4/2014 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 77 | 5/11/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 4,240 | 2/24/2017 | 96 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 1,093 | 1/25/2018 | 96 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 52 | 2/26/2021 | 96 | $15.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 24,297 | 5/16/2020 | 96 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 2,350 | 8/6/2018 | 96 | $12.49 | Steam Charts | |
 | 508 | 10/23/2012 | 96 | $1.99 | 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). Slay the Spire on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 5). Aseprite on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 1). Helltaker on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 24). Hollow Knight on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 2). Celeste on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Rhythm Doctor on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). tModLoader on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Dead Cells on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Hotline Miami on Steam. Steam Store.