As the title says: What is the best native Linux games?
Kerbal Space Program!
This is the right answer. CKAN is also on Linux and makes modding a breeze.
Sadly KSP2 does not have a Linux build and also doesn’t run well in Proton. But then again, it’s also a bit hot garbage.
Good game but I think I would recommend paying through proton anyway because the native realise seems rather forgotten about.
Guess the devs were too focused on trying to make KSP2 less of a clusterfuck
I wouldn’t give the original devs a hard time. It seems like they did an amazing job with very few resources. I don’t even blame them for releasing a Linux native port as an afterthought, even that is better than most.
I will be very very surprised if KSP2 sees any meaningful improvement before being shut down.
Oh I was meaning to throw shade at the new developers who are running KSP2 into the ground.
I took it as such. :-)
I just wanted to show the original devs a little love.
Mindustry, sort of like factorio but open source and free on itch. Although you can also buy it on steam
Savage 2 was so good. The memories 😢
Ah yes I remember playing Savage in school. There is still Savage XR but it’s best played through wine.
Minecraft (lol)
Rimworld runs Nativ as well to my knowledge.
FTL
Sounds like non-free data is allowed. Then surely ioQuake is the native game I spent the most time with.
I have a long list :)
Dota2 & CS GO Paradox strategy games (JRepin had listed)
Many non-strategy games published (not developed by) by Paradox Interactive are also providing native Linux games, incl. Cities: Skylines, Surviving Mars, Tyranny
0ad, Wesnoth, Endless Sky, Mindustry
Damn so many great ones to choose from. I am big fan of Paradox strategy games, kinda in that order: Stellaris, Hearts of iron IV and Europa Universalis IV.
There are a few that are really fun. My kids were getting interested in gaming, so I had to have a look into suitable games. So here is a kid-friendly list of great stuff that runs natively:
GCompris: A lot of nice learning mini games for the very young (also good to teach e.g. usage of mouse and keyboard)
Minetest: Very similar to Minecraft, but with its own twist. Highly customizable with mods and completely free and open. I am running my own minetest server with a customized non-survival world that is used by my family.
Widelands: A really great community adaption (and extension) of the Settlers II. My son totally loves it.
Unciv: Civilization game based on the Civ5 ruleset. I actually had to deinstall it again on my mobile phone (also available for Android) because it has the same addictive properties as the original…
And for non-free games: Lutris + GOG makes me happy. Currently playing some older Tomb Raider game. Although not really native, I think. Probably using Wine or so…
The games I keep coming back and playing since years are Factorio and Cities Skylines. And Minecraft if you call a Java program native. All because of the vast number of mods that exist. And Dota now and then for playing with friends.
Right now I’m really getting into old school games or games that have the old school look. Here’s a few which have native Linux support:
- Stardew Valley
- Broforce
- Carrion
- Dusk
- FTL: Faster Than Light
- Huntdown
The Talos Principle must be mentioned here. It was the first major game to provide Vulkan support, running just incredibly well.
And of course, Minecraft.
Don’t know about them being the best, but I’ve been playing Valheim and Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun and having a good time with both.
I know you are specifically asking for natives, but with the awesome work Valve has put into proton so many games play well with linux now!
