Best Real-Time Linux Games on Steam
Steam currently has 483 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 4/10/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best real-time games on Steam
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- Best real-time Steam games (for Mac OS)
- Free real-time games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
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 4,819 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,680 positive reviews and 139 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 4,462 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,311 positive reviews and 151 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 5,438 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,218 positive reviews and 220 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 |
| 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 6,118 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,742 positive reviews and 376 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $2.99 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 | $2.99 |
| 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 3,487 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,274 positive reviews and 213 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 8,963 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,242 positive reviews and 721 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 | 8/20/2015 |
| 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 2,051 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,900 positive reviews and 151 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 11,788 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 10,668 positive reviews and 1,120 negative reviews — making it "Very 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 not possible to play or run Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| 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 88, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux Real-Time games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,129 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,855 positive reviews and 274 negative reviews — making it "Very 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, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Steam Price | $19.99 |
| Release Date | 3/12/2010 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 20570 |
10. BattleGroupVR
BattleGroupVR is a first person real-time space strategy where you lead a fleet of powerful warships into battle from the bridge of your own flagship. Assemble your fleet, upgrade your load-outs, train your captains, engage the enemy and secure the sector. Try not to go down with the ship.
BattleGroupVR 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 842 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 782 positive reviews and 60 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $24.99 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 BattleGroupVR on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $24.99 |
| Release Date | 7/31/2023 |
| Franchise | Erabit |
| Developer | SpaceOwl Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1178780 |
More Real-Time Linux Games on Steam
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Real-Time games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 181 | 7/14/2017 | 93 | $4.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 239 | 3/27/2014 | 93 | $14.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 91 | 8/16/2018 | 93 | $24.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 47 | 4/11/2012 | 91 | $2.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 153 | 4/27/2018 | 90 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 153 | 8/20/2015 | 89 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 63 | 12/16/2011 | 88 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 299 | 3/3/2011 | 88 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 65 | 3/12/2010 | 88 | $19.99 | Steam Charts | |
 | 2 | 7/31/2023 | 87 | $24.99 | 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, April 10). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 10). Rusted Warfare - RTS on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 22). Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 16). Airships: Conquer the Skies on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 19). Legend of Grimrock on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Zero-K on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, April 18). Viridi on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). X3: Albion Prelude on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, March 3). Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, May 18). BattleGroupVR on Steam. Steam Store.