“Free” and “Linux” go hand in hand beautifully, like chips and a milkshake, and even though Linux isn’t widely seen as a gaming platform, there is a veritable wealth of free games you can get for it if you look in the right places. That’s in large part thanks to unpaid, open-source developers, who collaborate to bring classics (and new games) all together in Linux.

So in tribute to those tireless devs, we’ve gathered the best free games you can play on Linux right now. Enjoy!

Open Source games are not always known for their high-quality graphics. This can often be caused by the games being designed by committee in that many different people may work on the graphics, even in the same areas, which can cause plenty of inconsistencies. 8 Awesome Free Open-Source Games You Can Enjoy on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Tim Brookes October 25, 2010 6 minutes. Here are some awesome, free, open source games that you can download and start playing today! Find more free open source games at http://www.tjfree.com/free.

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1. Awesomenauts

Combine the compelling tactics and lane management of a MOBA with the pick-up-and-play accessibility of a 2D platformer, and you get Awesomenauts. The long-running online multiplayer bonanza is actually older than many of the MOBAs you may have played, and the fact that it’s still running is testament to its quality.

Pick your hero and take part in 3-vs-3 battles where you attempt to take out the enemy Solar Collector while they try to do the same. The maps are brilliantly designed, letting you find sneaky routes to the enemy base as well as content with monsters that will lash out at anyone they encounter.

You level up within each individual game, essentially meaning that you rebuild your character each time you play, letting you experiment with different builds and abilities to find the one that best works for you.

It’s great. It’s free. Play it!

2. Dead Horizon

If you haven’t got the time to dig into anything particularly lengthy but your fingers are twitching for some gaming, then Dead Horizon is a great little blast from the past, recalling the legendary Wild Gunman for the NES.

It’s a game of fast draws and precision, as you follow a neatly written, intriguing story, and face off against increasingly challenging villains in wild western saloons and scrublands. You fire with your mouse, holding the cursor at the bottom of your screen until it’s time to draw. It’s short, simple yet actually quite suspenseful.

If you decide that you really like it, you can support the developer by getting their reasonably priced content pack too.

3. Team Fortress 2

Everyone thought Valve was crazy to turn Team Fortress from a Half-life style realistic(ish) online shooter to a bold and bouncy online shooter in 2007. But it worked, and incredibly well too.

The bread-and-butter of Team Fortress 2 are classic team-based modes like Capture the Flag, Control Points, and the excellent Payload, where one team needs to escort a cart across a level (sound familiar Overwatch fans?). You pick one of several distinct classes, specialising in either offence, defence or support, and dive on into one of its many meticulously designed, vibrant maps.

It’s one of the best, most influential online shooters of all time, and it’s completely free these days unless you fancy splashing out on skins and other sillies.

4. Dota 2

Another Valve stalwart, Dota 2 is a free-to-play MOBA phenomenon, rubbing shoulders with League of Legends as the most popular game of its kind. Fun fact: the original Dota is in fact a mod for the RTS classic Warcraft III. Best free eq vst plugins.

So what makes Dota 2 special? It’s actually a little deeper than League of Legends in some ways (though I’m sure LoL fans will disagree). You can pick from one of over 100 heroes to take into battle, fighting alongside your team and your army of minions to push those lanes and destroy the other team’s base. Units range from healing support types to charging, head-down attackers. Whatever your play style, there will be one in there to suit you.

Dota 2 has a few interesting features as well, such as the option to eat up your own minions in exchange for gold and numerous ways of kitting out and upgrading your character. Be warned: Dota 2 isn’t for the faint-hearted.

5. Brutal Doom

A painstakingly elaborate project for one of the most loved PC games of all time, Brutal Doom is a beefed-up version of ZDoom, the open-source port of Doom, Doom 2, Final Doom and Master Levels. It features extra animations and gore and weapons, as well as redesigned maps, modernized controls and UIs. It’s vicious and immensely satisfying and arguably the best way to play Doom in this day and age.

Those who are nostalgic for N64 should check out Brutal Doom 64, which remasters and bloodies the open-source port of the N64 version. (Alternatively, there’s also Doom 64: Retribution which focuses on visual improvements while not redesigning much of the original game.)

6. OpenRA (Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, Dune 2000)

Command & Conquer set the bar for real-time strategy games, and there are some who argue that it’s never quite been topped. OpenRA is an updated, up-resed and polished version of not just Red Alert but also Tiberian Dawn and Dune 2000, faithfully recreating these classic games with the interface and usability perks that we’d expect from a game made today. All the games are completely free and are without question the best way to play these classics. And yes, of course you can play LAN games with your pals.

7. 0 A.D.

Despite still being in an Alpha stage after nearly ten years, 0 A.D. is one of the most impressive free games out there. Players take control of one of twelve ancient civilizations and are tasked with its survival and proliferation. In order to do this, you must engage in combat with other civilizations while managing your economy. Featuring a single-player campaign as well as multiplayer, 0 A.D. is perfect for those who are going through Age of Empires II withdrawals.

8. Super TuxKart

It may have started as a Mario Kart clone, but Super TuxKart has come into its own over the years. This kart racer has a slew of game modes, offering lots of racing replayability. In addition to colorful graphics and well-designed tracks to race on, one of the best things about Super TuxKart is its collection of characters. Mascots from various open-source projects appear in the game. Keep your eyes peeled for the GNU wildebeest, the SUSE gecko and the Mozilla Thunderbird.

9. The Dark Mod

Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t just a mod of an existing game. Instead it is a standalone game born from an attempt to remake the game “Thief” in the Doom 3 engine. In The Dark Mod players control an agile thief who must use a variety of tools and equipment to avoid various threats. The software is bundled with a level editor which allows users to create their own missions. There are currently over one-hundred fan-made missions with various objectives. The Dark Mod has received significant attention from gamers and the press, even being crowned the “#2 best free PC game” by PC Gamer in 2016.

10. Hedgewars

In this delightfully destructive game, players control hedgehogs who use anything and everything to kill, maim and obliterate each other. The turn-based action takes place on various destructive environments and features a dizzying amount of weapons. The collateral damage of the weapons can alter the landscape, restricting the movement of the hedgehogs. Luckily, the hedgehogs have various tools like ropes and parachutes at their disposal to help them navigate the land and get a clear shot at the enemy. If this sounds to you a lot like another turn-based war game featuring seemingly harmless animals, you wouldn’t be wrong. Hedgewars is heavily influenced by the long-running “Worms” series.

11. Voxelands

Voxelands is a sandbox construction game in the same vein as Minecraft. It places players in a fully-destructible 3D world where they can build pretty much anything they want. Voxelands also boasts role-playing elements, requiring players to defend their structures from the elements and enemies. The game features a large number of tools and over 500 different types of blocks to aid in their construction. Whereas some players can experience some performance issues with heavyweights like Minecraft, Voxelands is feather-light. The game’s website claims that Voxelands can run on a Pentium 1 processor and be played online with a 14.4 KB connection!

12. Xonotic

Xonotic is a fast-paced multiplayer game built on a heavily-modified version of the Quake engine. Xonotic features multiple game modes including staples like capture-the-flag and deathmatch and features a number of futuristic weapons. Gameplay emphasis is on speed and mastering level layout, making Xonotic similar to games like Unreal Tournament and Quake.

13. The Battle for Wesnoth

Fancy fighting elves, trolls, orcs and dragons? The Battle for Wesnoth indulges all your Tolkien-esque impulses in a turn-based strategy game. Players fight for dominance in a high fantasy realm populated with colorful retro sprites. In addition to factoring in the strengths and weaknesses of units, players must also account for weather and types of terrain during their quest, all of which can have an effect on the outcome of a battle. The stable version of the game includes sixteen campaigns; however, there are many unofficial campaigns in the form of user-made add-ons.

14. OpenTTD

A remake of 1995’s Transport Tycoon Deluxe, OpenTTD tasks players with managing a major metropolitan transit system. The goal of the game is to build a transportation network utilizing a variety of vehicles such as trains, boats, planes and trucks. In addition, players earn money for successful deliveries. The money can then be used to build a more efficient infrastructure. OpenTTD supports multiplayer games of up to 255 people split between fifteen different transport companies, all in direct competition with one another. The game also supports a large and active user-base, resulting in a wide variety of mods being available.

15. Secret Maryo Chronicles

It’s no “secret” as to what classic game Secret Maryo Chronicles gets its inspiration from. Rest assured, this isn’t simply a half-baked rip-off. Secret Maryo Chronicles has been championed by many as a solid platform loaded with challenging puzzles. If you’ve been dying to take a trip down memory lane via a big green pipe, look no further.

16. AstroMenace

It’s a plot that we’ve all heard before: Aliens are invading, and it’s up to you to annihilate them all. With impressive visuals, AstroMenace is an arcade-style shooter that really tests a player’s hand-eye coordination. Players will have to navigate the frontier of space while repelling hordes of enemy spaceships. Enemy units boast unique attacks and serious firepower, requiring players to be on their toes at all times. Weapon and ship upgrades become available throughout the game, and trust us when we say that you’ll need them to succeed in your mission.

What are your favorite free games to play on Linux? Let us know in the comments!

This article was first published in March 2017 and was updated in May 2019.

Tired of spending $60 on every new game release? Think spending money on commercial games is immoral and want to vote with your wallet? Or do you simply want to take a peek at a game’s internal code? Enter the world of open source games.

Why Open Source Games?

First of all, there are varying degrees of open source software. For this post, we’ll use a simplified definition: any game that allows the public to download its source code is an “open source game.” Open source sticklers will disagree, but we’re going to run with it.

Of the many reasons to prefer open source software, three hold true in particular for games:

1. Price. Open source games are usually free. I know, I know, open source and free aren’t synonymousOpen Source vs. Free Software: What's the Difference and Why Does It Matter?Open Source vs. Free Software: What's the Difference and Why Does It Matter?Many assume 'open source' and 'free software' mean the same thing but that's not true. It's in your best interest to know what the differences are.Read More — but open source game developers tend to do it for fun and experience, not profits. Most are happy enough with recognition and donations.
2. Trust. Many commercial game development studios (e.g. Blizzard, EA, Ubisoft, Valve) have poor reputations. They’ve lost sight of their audiences, and some even say they’re killing the games industryBig Game Studios Are Killing the Video Game IndustryBig Game Studios Are Killing the Video Game IndustryThe big names in gaming—like EA, Square, Valve, Blizzard, and Ubisoft—have a big problem. They've lost sight of their most important market: gamers.Read More. Open source developers are more in touch.
3. Experience. If you want to create your own games5 Free Game Development Software Tools to Make Your Own Games5 Free Game Development Software Tools to Make Your Own GamesFree game development software is a great way to start video game making. We've compiled the best game software on the market.Read More, peeking at open source code can be a great way to learn new concepts and boost your skills. In some cases, you can also contribute fixes and features, thus leaving a tangible mark on your favorite games.

You might think that open source games are only for Linux freaks, but that simply isn’t true6 Myths About Open Source Software Debunked6 Myths About Open Source Software DebunkedOpen source software is awesome, but despite the growing popularity of FOSS alternatives, many people misunderstand the nature of the open source industry. Do you still believe these outdated and disproved open source myths?Read More — most of them can be played on several platforms. And besides, the only thing that really matters is whether the game is fun, right? That’s good news, because the following games are fun.

Games are listed in alphabetical order.

1. 0 A.D.

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

0 A.D. is a real-time strategy (RTS) game set in the 500 years leading up to Year Zero. It has all the trappings of an RTS, including base building, unit training, tech trees, and combat. You can play as one of 12 civilizations, and each game progresses between three phases: Village, Town, and City.

Single-player and multiplayer modes are both supported.

2. Alien Arena

Available for Windows and Linux.

Alien Arena, formerly CodeRED: Alien Arena, is a fast-paced multiplayer first-person shooter in the vein of Quake and Unreal Tournament. Though objective-based game modes exist, it’s mainly about fragging (killing your opponents). And if you’re competitive, you’ll love the global stats leaderboard.

3. Armagetron Advanced

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Armagetron Advanced is a multiplayer 3D clone of Tron. You drive around on a “light cycle” that leaves a wall trail, and your goal is to get your enemies to crash before you do. It’s simple but fun, and there are three game modes that spice it up even further.

4. Battle for Wesnoth

Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.

Battle for Wesnoth is a turn-based strategy game that combines resource management with tactical combat. It’s played on a hexagonal map, and there is an RPG element as units are able to level up and grow stronger. Despite simple game rules, it’s surprisingly deep.

The game also has a built-in map editor and the ability to create custom content (e.g. campaigns) through an add-on system. You can create add-ons using a mixture of Wesnoth Markup Language and Lua.

5. Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup

Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and Web.

Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup (DCSS) is arguably the best roguelike currently playable. It’s the only roguelike consistently mentioned in the same tier as the Big Four: NetHack (1987), Angband (1990), ADOM (1994), and ToME (1998).

The best part of DCSS is that it maintains the insane gameplay depth that roguelike fans love, but delivers a much more newbie-friendly experience due to its emphasis on anti-frustration design principles. There’s a learning curve, but it’s well worth it.

And you can spectate other DCSS players in real-time! How cool is that?

For mobile procedurally-generated goodness, check out some roguelikes for AndroidRoguelikes For Android: A New Adventure Every TimeRoguelikes For Android: A New Adventure Every TimeHow awesome would it be if a game offered a whole new world and experience every time you played it?Read More. To learn more about where this genre came from, see our write-up on the evolution of roguelikesRoguelikes: A Unique & Challenging Spin On The RPG GenreRoguelikes: A Unique & Challenging Spin On The RPG GenreIn 1980 a game called Rogue was released that spawned a whole sub-genre of role-playing games, aptly named roguelikes. The dungeon crawling game procedurally generated in-game content, providing infinite replay value by guaranteeing a different..Read More.

6. FreeCiv

Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Web.

FreeCiv is an open source clone of Civilization II, and that’s only because it started way back in 1997. You can play in both single-player and multiplayer modes, and we highly recommend using the web client.

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The coolest thing is that FreeCiv has a “Longturn” mode, where 250 players take one single turn every day. It also supports a “Play by Email” mode, which is great when you want to play your turns as available.

7. Freedoom

Freedoom is an open source clone of Doom. The source code for Doom is actually open as well, but the assets (like graphics and sounds) are still licensed. Freedoom aims to create the free content portion that would allow the game to become “truly” open source and free.

To play Freedoom, you must also download a compatible Doom engine, such as ZDoom (recommended) or Crispy Doom.

8. Hedgewars

Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and iOS.

Hedgewars is an open source clone of Worms — but it’s also so much more than that. It has taken the idea of a turn-based strategic artillery game and expanded it in all kinds of directions, especially when it comes to the weapons available in the game.

In addition to single-player missions and multiplayer mayhem, Hedgewars provides all kinds of customization: to your hedgehog, to game modes, and to game assets (through community-made content packs).

9. MegaGlest

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

MegaGlest is a real-time strategy game that emphasizes big battles and epic adventures. Based on the now-defunct Glest, MegaGlest mixes fantasy and technology to create a unique experience. The engine is moddable enough to allow players to create total conversion mods.

10. Minetest

Available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.

Want to play Minecraft without paying the inflated price tag? Or are you unhappy with Minecraft‘s development vision and direction? Check out Minetest, an open source clone that returns to the game’s roots.

It’s actively developed and supports user-created texture packs, mods, and subgames. The community is nowhere near as large as Minecraft‘s, but it isn’t small either. There are already hundreds of servers on which you can play — or stick to single-player mode if you prefer.

11. OpenRA

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Alongside titles like Age of Empires and Warcraft, Command & Conquer helped propel the real-time strategy genre into the limelight back in the 1990s. Red Alert is arguably the best game in the series to date, and not just for its nostalgia factor.

OpenRA is an open source reimplementation of Red Alert that stays true to the original game while incorporating all kinds of quality-of-life enhancements. It also supports Tiberian Dawn (another C&C game) and Dune 2000 (another RTS by the same studio).

12. OpenRCT2

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

OpenRCT2 is an open source revamp of RollerCoaster Tycoon 2, the 2002 simulation game that lets you create and manage amusement parks and, more importantly, design and build roller coasters.

Because the original game’s assets are still licensed, you must have a legitimate copy of RCT2 installed in order to play OpenRCT2. It only costs $10 though (Steam, GOG), so it’s a minor inconvenience at worst.

Then why play OpenRCT2? First, it lets you play on non-Windows platforms. Second, you get additional features like interface theming, fast forwarding, and improved performance. Third, OpenRCT2 can be played in multiplayer mode.

13. OpenTTD

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

OpenTTD is an open source copy of Transport Tycoon Deluxe, a business simulation game where you manage a transport company in pursuit of maximum profits. OpenTTD offers many extra features and enhancements over the original game.

However, you will need the original game files to play as the game was originally intended. If you don’t have that, you can still play using open source assets from OpenGFX, OpenSFX, and OpenMSX.

14. Sauerbraten

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Sauerbraten is one of the first and best open source first-person shooters. It’s all about deathmatch, and can be played in single-player and multiplayer modes.

The only downsides to Sauerbraten? A small playerbase that peaks around a few dozen concurrent players per day, and inactive development with the latest update released in 2013.

Similar games include Assault Cube (also open source) and Urban Terror (not open source, but free and bigger playerbase).

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15. SuperTuxKart

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

SuperTuxKart is what you’d get if you took Mario Kart and replaced all the characters with open source mascots. The gameplay is straightforward racing. You can play in single-player and multiplayer, plus various alternate modes (e.g. Battle, Time Trial).

16. Teeworlds

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Teeworlds is a side-scrolling physics-based 2D shooter, akin to what you’d get if you crossed Quake and Mario with a dash of Kirby. It emphasizes fast-paced action (but not Quake fast), and can be played in Deathmatch and Capture the Flag modes.

One unique feature is that everyone has a grappling hook, which can be used to fling yourself around the map — once you master it.

17. The Dark Mod

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

The Dark Mod is a first-person stealth game that’s reminiscent of the cult classic Thief. Set in a dark fantasy world, you play a thief who must steal goods — among other acts of thievery — while evading capture by guards. It’s heart-pounding fun with lots of replayability.

Open Source Video Games

To play The Dark Mod, you have to first install the base game, and then install missions. You can download some from the Missions page, or create your own missions using the built-in editor.

18. The Saga of Ryzom

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

There aren’t many open source MMORPGs, which is The Saga of Ryzom‘s claim to fame. This free-to-play MMORPG8 Free MMORPGs That Run Natively on Linux8 Free MMORPGs That Run Natively on Linux'You can't play games on Linux' is one of the most outdated lies that people keep spreading, but while MMORPGs are lagging behind, there are several free MMORPGs that run natively on Linux.Read More, which features a classless system with dynamic environments, is a shining example of how free games can attain high quality.

Note that some non-essential features require a paid account, which you can grab for as little as $9 per month.

19. Warsow

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Warsow is a fast-paced arena shooter heavily inspired by Quake with a focus on speed and movement. The development roadmap includes eSports-centric featuresThe Newbie's Guide to Getting Into EsportsThe Newbie's Guide to Getting Into EsportsCompetitive gaming is getting serious! Need some resources to learn more? Here's all you need to know about the swelling phenomenon of esports.Read More like Warsow TV and global stats. Also notable are the stylish graphics, especially the cell-shaded characters.

Because the engine is open source and scriptable using AngelScript, you can create your own game modes and change the interface. But even without this, the base game is fun and worth playing.

20. Xonotic

Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Xonotic is a fast-paced arena shooter that borrows a lot from Unreal Tournament. There are 16 weapons that each use one of four ammo types, and every weapon has two firing modes. Knowing how and when to use each firing mode is key, and lends to the game’s depth.

You can play between several different game modes (such as Capture the Flag, Keepaway, and Freeze Tag) on dozens of different maps, both official and community-made. It’s highly replayable — if you like arena shooters, you won’t be able to put this one down.

Support Open Source Game Development

Remember, open source games cost time and money to create just like any other games. The only difference is that the developers value community more than profits.

If you want to help out, consider donating some of your own time or money. Open source developers don’t earn muchUnderstanding How Open Source Software Developers Make MoneyUnderstanding How Open Source Software Developers Make MoneyThe truth is: many OSS developers and projects do generate revenue.Read More, and even a $5 donation can help offset costs like web hosting. If you have programming experience, consider contributing your expertiseHow Contributing to Open Source Projects Can Teach You Life SkillsHow Contributing to Open Source Projects Can Teach You Life SkillsWe've looked at the benefits of using open source software, but what about the other way around: contributing to them? Can getting involved in an open source project aid your personal development?Read More.

But most of all, remember to thank the developers — a small gesture with a huge impact. It means a lot more than you’d think.

Which of these games appeal most to you? Are there any other open source games that you’d add to the list? Let us know by leaving a comment down below, and don’t forget to share on social media!

Explore more about: Free Games, Open Source.

1. OpenTTD hasn't really needed the original files for a while now.

2. Some are starting off small and are unreleased. Others are still in early phases.

   RVGL - Re-Volt
   DreeRally - Death Rally Classic
   OpenOMF - One Must Fall: 2097

3. I miss FreeDroidRPG from this list, which I rediscovered just yesterday. In gameplay it's very similar to Diablo, but (of course) the storyline and graphics are very different.