Best RTS Linux Games on Steam

Steam currently has 2,635 RTS 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. RTS game rankings were last updated on 11/22/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

Shadow Tactics is a hardcore tactical stealth game set in Japan around the Edo period. A new Shogun seizes power over Japan and enforces nationwide peace. In his battle against conspiracy and rebellion, he recruits five specialists with extraordinary skills for assassination, sabotage and espionage.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun banner

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun holds the #1 spot for "best Linux RTS game on Steam" with a Player Score of 94. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 36,438 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 35,015 positive reviews and 1,423 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $39.99 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 $39.99
Release Date 12/6/2016
Franchise Mimimi
Developer Mimimi Games
Publisher Daedalic Entertainment
Steam App Id 418240

2. Desperados III

Desperados III is a story-driven, hardcore tactical stealth game, set in a ruthless Wild West scenario. Play smart if you want to succeed. A good plan can make the difference between survival and finding yourself at the business end of a pistol.

Desperados III banner

Desperados III has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 13,886 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 13,425 positive reviews and 461 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $39.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Desperados III on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $39.99
Release Date 6/16/2020
Franchise Mimimi
Developer Mimimi Games
Publisher THQ Nordic
Steam App Id 610370

3. Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense

Command your troops through an epic (mis)adventure as you defend exotic lands from dragons, man-eating plants, and ghastly denizens of the underworld -all with flashy new towers, levels, heroes, and more goodies to help you crush your foes in this Fantasy Action Tower Defense game!

Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense banner

Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,883 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 8,603 positive reviews and 280 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. At the moment, it is possible to play Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 7/25/2016
Franchise Ironhide Game Studio
Developer Ironhide Game Studio
Publisher Ironhide Game Studio
Steam App Id 458710

4. Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition

Spanning the most turbulent era in Western history, your quest for territory and power takes you through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even onto the shores of the New World.

Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition banner

Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 32,005 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 30,638 positive reviews and 1,367 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 Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

5. Mindustry

An open-ended factory management game with RTS and tower defense elements.

Mindustry banner

Mindustry has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,404 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 19,545 positive reviews and 859 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. At the moment, it is possible to play Mindustry on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 9/26/2019
Developer AnukenDev
Publisher AnukenDev
Steam App Id 1127400

6. 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 banner

Rusted Warfare - RTS has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,467 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,291 positive reviews and 176 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

7. 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 banner

Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,531 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,379 positive reviews and 152 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

8. Airships: Conquer the Skies

Construct mighty steampunk airships and fly them into battle, waging war and conquering the skies!

Airships: Conquer the Skies banner

Airships: Conquer the Skies has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,647 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,424 positive reviews and 223 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

9. Dungeons 3

At last, the Dungeon Lord has successfully united the forces of evil and established his dark empire. Time for the next step in his most diabolical quest: expansion!

Dungeons 3 banner

Dungeons 3 has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 18,179 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17,139 positive reviews and 1,040 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 possible to play Dungeons 3 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $29.99
Release Date 10/13/2017
Developer Realmforge Studios
Publisher Kalypso Media
Steam App Id 493900

10. Total War: WARHAMMER II

Strategy gaming perfected. A breath-taking campaign of exploration, expansion and conquest across a fantasy world. Turn-based civilisation management and real-time epic strategy battles with thousands of troops and monsters at your command.

Total War: WARHAMMER II banner

Total War: WARHAMMER II has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux RTS games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 119,527 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 111,340 positive reviews and 8,187 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $59.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Total War: WARHAMMER II on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

More RTS Linux Games on Steam

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

ImageName
Actions
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun steam charts
152
12/6/2016
94
$39.99
Steam Charts
Desperados III steam charts
58
6/16/2020
94
$39.99
Steam Charts
Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense steam charts
207
7/25/2016
94
$9.99
Steam Charts
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition steam charts
3,983
11/15/2006
94
$24.99
Steam Charts
Mindustry steam charts
546
9/26/2019
93
$9.99
Steam Charts
Rusted Warfare - RTS steam charts
162
7/14/2017
93
$4.99
Steam Charts
Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal steam charts
144
3/27/2014
93
$14.99
Steam Charts
Airships: Conquer the Skies steam charts
48
8/16/2018
93
$24.99
Steam Charts
Dungeons 3 steam charts
154
10/13/2017
92
$29.99
Steam Charts
Total War: WARHAMMER II steam charts
2,302
9/28/2017
92
$59.99
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, November 22). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 22). Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Desperados III on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 5). Kingdom Rush Frontiers - Tower Defense on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). Mindustry on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Rusted Warfare - RTS on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, October 16). Creeper World 3: Arc Eternal on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). Airships: Conquer the Skies on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 9). Dungeons 3 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 24). Total War: WARHAMMER II on Steam. Steam Store.

Explore

Discover the best of Steam. Find your next game, free weekend, or even track the next Steam Sale all in one spot.