Best Real-Time Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 533 Real-Time 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. Real-Time game rankings were last updated on 2/14/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best real-time games on Steam
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- Free real-time games on Steam
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1. Rusted Warfare - RTS
{{An RTS inspired by the classics of the past!}} Making up for it's subpar retro graphics with fun gameplay and modern multi-threaded tech enabling huge battles to run smooth... Featuring singleplayer challenges, skirmish, sandbox, 10-player multiplayer & workshop modding.
Rusted Warfare - RTS holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Real-Time game on Steam" with a Player Score of 93. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,909 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,719 positive reviews and 190 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. At the moment, it is possible to play Rusted Warfare - RTS on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $4.99 |
| Release Date | 7/14/2017 |
| Developer | Corroding Games |
| Publisher | Corroding Games |
| Steam App Id | 647960 |
2. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,605 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,446 positive reviews and 159 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 |
3. Airships: Conquer the Skies
Construct mighty steampunk airships and fly them into battle, waging war and conquering the skies!
Airships: Conquer the Skies has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,776 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,543 positive reviews and 233 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. At the moment, it is possible to play Airships: Conquer the Skies on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Steam Price | $24.99 |
| Release Date | 8/16/2018 |
| Franchise | David Stark |
| Developer | David Stark |
| Publisher | David Stark |
| Steam App Id | 342560 |
4. Legend of Grimrock
Use the Dungeon Editor to build entirely new adventures and challenges for other players to solve.
Legend of Grimrock has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,341 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,943 positive reviews and 398 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. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Legend of Grimrock on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $14.99 |
| Release Date | 4/11/2012 |
| Developer | Almost Human Games |
| Publisher | Almost Human Games |
| Steam App Id | 207170 |
5. Zero-K
With 100+ truly unique units, Zero-K is an RTS of freedom and creativity, tempered by a decade of refinement. Sculpt land into a castle and throw invaders off it with a Jugglenaut. Explore a massive campaign, solo or co-op. Hop online for epic 32 player battles or fast paced 1v1, on 100s of maps.
Zero-K has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,812 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,568 positive reviews and 244 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is completely free to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Zero-K on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 4/27/2018 |
| Developer | Zero-K Team |
| Publisher | Zero-K Team |
| Steam App Id | 334920 |
6. Viridi
Nurture a small pot of succulents that grow in real time. Viridi is a safe haven, a place you can return to for a moment of peace and quiet whenever you need it.
Viridi has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 9,262 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,509 positive reviews and 753 negative reviews — making it "Very 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 Viridi on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 8/19/2015 |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Ice Water Games |
| Steam App Id | 375950 |
7. X3: Albion Prelude
X3: Albion Prelude is the latest game in the X3 space game series. TRADE, FIGHT, BUILD, THINK in a living and breathing universe. A new plot and many additions to the open free-form gameplay.
X3: Albion Prelude has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,077 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,923 positive reviews and 154 negative reviews — making it "Very 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, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
8. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution
Command any of the six unique factions in the next standalone expansion of the critically acclaimed Dawn of War real-time strategy franchise. Choose to build a massive army or lead a small squad of elite heroes into battle and experience a single player campaign customized to your favorite race.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution has achieved a Player Score of 88, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,354 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,164 positive reviews and 1,190 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 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 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 3/3/2011 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 56400 |
9. Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising
In Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising you will take command of the Blood Ravens and defend the sector against the Chaos Space Marines of the Black Legion. Purge the Chaos filth and hold the chapter together as traitorous forces work from within to try bring down the Blood Ravens.
Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,302 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,006 positive reviews and 296 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $0.00 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 3/11/2010 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 20570 |
10. Wand Wars
Ride brooms, cast spells and transform your enemies into chickens in this intense magical sport
Wand Wars has achieved a Player Score of 87, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 219 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 211 positive reviews and 8 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $11.99 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 | $11.99 |
| Release Date | 4/13/2016 |
| Developer | Moonradish Inc. |
| Publisher | Moonradish Inc. |
| Steam App Id | 422110 |
More Real-Time Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Real-Time games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 309 | 7/14/2017 | 93 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 184 | 3/27/2014 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 47 | 8/16/2018 | 93 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 20 | 4/11/2012 | 91 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 83 | 4/27/2018 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 116 | 8/19/2015 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 63 | 12/15/2011 | 88 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 232 | 3/3/2011 | 88 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
| 52 | 3/11/2010 | 87 | ??? | Steam Charts | |
| 1 | 4/13/2016 | 87 | $11.99 | 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, February 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 14). Rusted Warfare - RTS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 19). Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 22). Airships: Conquer the Skies on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 3). Legend of Grimrock on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 1). Zero-K on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, March 5). Viridi on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 19). X3: Albion Prelude on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 6). Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 22). Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, February 28). Wand Wars on Steam. Steam Store.