Best Tactical Linux Games on Steam

Steam currently has 7,017 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 11/26/2025.

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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 1,000,512 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 975,841 positive reviews and 24,671 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows 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 255,089 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 248,510 positive reviews and 6,579 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 76,092 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 73,698 positive reviews and 2,394 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 186,839 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 179,884 positive reviews and 6,955 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows 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. 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 #5 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 15,623 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,200 positive reviews and 423 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

6. 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 94, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 207,038 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 197,857 positive reviews and 9,181 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly 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 Sid Meier's Civilization® V on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $29.99
Release Date 9/23/2010
Franchise Civilization Franchise
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 8930

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 37,783 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 36,287 positive reviews and 1,496 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 15,714 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 15,163 positive reviews and 551 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 34,561 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 33,071 positive reviews and 1,490 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $6.24 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. FTL: Faster Than Light

This "spaceship simulation roguelike-like" allows you to take your ship and crew on an adventure through a randomly generated galaxy filled with glory and bitter defeat.

FTL: Faster Than Light banner

FTL: Faster Than Light has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Linux Tactical games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 76,588 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 72,915 positive reviews and 3,673 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 FTL: Faster Than Light on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $9.99
Release Date 9/14/2012
Developer Subset Games
Publisher Subset Games
Steam App Id 212680

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
25,345
11/16/2009
97
$9.99
Steam Charts
Counter-Strike steam charts
12,026
11/1/2000
96
$9.99
Steam Charts
Ravenfield steam charts
746
5/18/2017
95
$17.99
Steam Charts
Counter-Strike: Source steam charts
16,118
11/1/2004
95
$9.99
Steam Charts
Kingdom Rush  - Tower Defense steam charts
204
1/6/2014
95
$9.99
Steam Charts
Sid Meier's Civilization® V steam charts
17,882
9/23/2010
94
$29.99
Steam Charts
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun steam charts
138
12/6/2016
94
$39.99
Steam Charts
Desperados III steam charts
439
6/16/2020
94
$39.99
Steam Charts
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition steam charts
4,737
11/15/2006
94
$6.24
Steam Charts
FTL: Faster Than Light steam charts
1,006
9/14/2012
94
$9.99
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, November 26). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). Left 4 Dead 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, October 7). Counter-Strike on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, October 14). Ravenfield on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, October 7). Counter-Strike: Source on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, November 27). Kingdom Rush - Tower Defense on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, November 26). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, November 10). Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, November 30). Desperados III on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, November 27). Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, November 4). FTL: Faster Than Light on Steam. Steam Store.

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