Best Tactical Linux Games on Steam

Steam currently has 4,630 Tactical 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. Tactical game rankings were last updated on 5/14/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Left 4 Dead 2

Set in the zombie apocalypse, Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2) is the highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning Left 4 Dead, the #1 co-op game of 2008. This co-operative action horror FPS takes you and your friends through the cities, swamps and cemeteries of the Deep South, from Savannah to New Orleans across five expansive campaigns.

Left 4 Dead 2 banner

Left 4 Dead 2 holds the #1 spot for "best Linux Tactical game on Steam" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 853,953 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 832,851 positive reviews and 21,102 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 11/16/2009
Developer Valve
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 550

2. Counter-Strike

Play the world's number 1 online action game. Engage in an incredibly realistic brand of terrorist warfare in this wildly popular team-based game. Ally with teammates to complete strategic missions. Take out enemy sites. Rescue hostages. Your role affects your team's success. Your team's success affects your role.

Counter-Strike banner

Counter-Strike has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 236,830 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 230,809 positive reviews and 6,021 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 Counter-Strike on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 11/1/2000
Developer Valve
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 10

3. Ravenfield

Fight upon the Ravenfield together with your Blue allies! Take down those pesky Reds using helicopters, tanks, guns, and active ragdoll physics!

Ravenfield banner

Ravenfield has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 66,954 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 64,878 positive reviews and 2,076 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $17.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Ravenfield on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $17.99
Release Date 5/18/2017
Developer SteelRaven7
Publisher SteelRaven7
Steam App Id 636480

4. Counter-Strike: Source

Counter-Strike: Source blends Counter-Strike's award-winning teamplay action with the advanced technology of Source™ technology.

Counter-Strike: Source banner

Counter-Strike: Source has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 170,028 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 163,727 positive reviews and 6,301 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 Counter-Strike: Source on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 11/1/2004
Developer Valve
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 240

5. Sid Meier's Civilization® V

Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!

Sid Meier's Civilization® V banner

Sid Meier's Civilization® V has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 197,397 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 189,798 positive reviews and 7,599 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $7.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Sid Meier's Civilization® V on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $7.49
Release Date 9/23/2010
Franchise Civilization Franchise
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 8930

6. Kingdom Rush - Tower Defense

Get ready for an epic journey to defend your kingdom against hordes of orcs, trolls, evil wizards and other nasty fiends using a vast arsenal of towers and spells at your command!Fight on forests, mountains and wastelands, customizing your defensive strategy with different tower upgrades and specializations!

Kingdom Rush  - Tower Defense banner

Kingdom Rush - Tower Defense has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,914 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12,561 positive reviews and 353 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 - Tower Defense on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 1/6/2014
Franchise Ironhide Game Studio
Developer Ironhide Game Studio
Publisher Ironhide Game Studio
Steam App Id 246420

7. 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 has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,654 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,275 positive reviews and 1,379 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

8. 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 #8 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 13,193 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 12,763 positive reviews and 430 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

9. 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 #9 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 30,800 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 29,480 positive reviews and 1,320 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).

10. Team Fortress 2

Nine distinct classes provide a broad range of tactical abilities and personalities. Constantly updated with new game modes, maps, equipment and, most importantly, hats!

Team Fortress 2 banner

Team Fortress 2 has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,044,345 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 979,479 positive reviews and 64,866 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 Team Fortress 2 on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Release Date 10/10/2007
Developer Valve
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 440

More Tactical Linux Games on Steam

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

ImageName
Actions
Left 4 Dead 2 steam charts
17,695
11/16/2009
97
$9.99
Steam Charts
Counter-Strike steam charts
5,841
11/1/2000
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Ravenfield steam charts
643
5/18/2017
95
$17.99
Steam Charts
Counter-Strike: Source steam charts
9,137
11/1/2004
95
$9.99
Steam Charts
Sid Meier's Civilization® V steam charts
10,676
9/23/2010
95
$7.49
Steam Charts
Kingdom Rush  - Tower Defense steam charts
140
1/6/2014
95
$9.99
Steam Charts
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun steam charts
74
12/6/2016
94
$39.99
Steam Charts
Desperados III steam charts
59
6/16/2020
94
$39.99
Steam Charts
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition steam charts
1,832
11/15/2006
94
$24.99
Steam Charts
Team Fortress 2 steam charts
66,717
10/10/2007
93
Free
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 14). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 14). Left 4 Dead 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, March 22). Counter-Strike on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 14). Ravenfield on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, March 22). Counter-Strike: Source on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 14). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 15). Kingdom Rush - Tower Defense on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 2). Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 15). Desperados III on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, May 9). Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, April 22). Team Fortress 2 on Steam. Steam Store.

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