Gaming on Linux used to be a very rare phrase. But since the arrival of Steam on Linux, the Linux gaming community is all charged up because of the games being natively developed for Linux instead of being dependent on third-party applications like Wine or PlayOnLinux.

There are over 1500 games for Linux available on Steam itself. But you don’t need to go through all of them as I have listed best Linux games of the year 2016here. Check out this list.

BEST LINUX GAMES RELEASED IN 2016

Before we go on seeing the games, let me make a few things clear. When I say, released in 2016, I mean the game to be released for Linux this year. Some games might have been released earlier for other platforms.

Second thing, games discussed here might not be free. Most games are premium games so you might have to take out your credit card.

Alors! Let’s see the games.

1. LIFE IS STRANGE

Developed by Dontnod Entertainment and initially released on January 30, 2015. By July 2015, Life Is Strange had already sold one million copies!

Based on the choices you make, this brilliant story progresses accordingly with the character’s remarkable abilities to alter time! The entire series is a collection of 5 mind-blowing episodes with the final episode released on October 20, 2015.

Life is strange was made available to Linux in July’16. And the good news is that the first episode of this awesome game is free to play. What are you waiting for, go get it!!

Life is Strange? on Steam

2. SUPERHOT

Made with Unity, this is an amazing game that begins with a mysterious perception on reality. The uniqueness of this game is about time being motionless unless you move!

You can throw objects at the enemy in addition to different types of guns and rifles. There are numerous levels of increasing difficulty as you progress in the story. Even after the game levels are over, you can test yourself with different challenges set up within the game.

SUPERHOT on Steam

3. XCOM 2

XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the original version of the game was released in 2012. The sequel XCOM 2 was released in February this year. XCOM forces rise again to revolt against the ruling alien forces.

XCOM 2 has been developed by Firaxis Games and published by 2K Games. Firaxis was named as the World’s #1 Developer of the Year by Game Informer Magazine in 2012. And with that, you can be assured of the quality of the game.

XCOM 2 was awarded a perfect 10/10 on Game Central and is rated 88% onMetacritic. Gamespot has awarded a score of 9/10 for the game. PC Gamerawarded 94% and IGN gave it 9.3/10.

XCOM 2 on Steam

4. NEAR DEATH

Near Death is a fight for survival on an abandoned Antarctic research base with no hope of rescue. The only goal is to find a way to reach home.

Near Death is the second game developed and published by Orthogonal Games, the first one being The Novelist.

Orthogonal Games has a knack of bringing original and experimental concepts to independent games. The Novelist used a custom narrative engine for creating dynamic stories based on players’ choices, and Near Death continues the tradition with the help of unique player tools designed to fight a detailed weather and temperature environment in the lethal and unforgiving region of Antarctica.

Kotaku was pretty much impressed with the game and it also received an award of 9/10 on OpNoobs.

Near Death on Steam

5. POLICE INFINITY

Policy Infinity is an early access first person shooter which is available to play on SteamOS/Linux. It’s pretty much based on competitive and casual modes. Though it’s in an early access alpha phase, the current reviews on Steam are very positive!

The developers behind the unity multiplayer first person game are known as 314 Arts based in Germany, who are the publishers as well. After Policy Infinity, they also look forward to creating more games. This game is also backed by fans via the Steam Greenlight process, similar to SUPERHOT.

3 days after it became early access, Boiling Steam shared their early impressions. Currently, 80% of 51 user reviews are positive for Police Infinity on Steam.

Police Infinity on Steam

6. ARK: SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

This early access multiplayer online survival arena game was made available on Steam since March. It’s a struggle for survival in an environment full of dinosaurs and dragons!

The game was initially a free-to-play standalone game. But now it has been made a part of its parent game, ARK: Survival Evolved which is also currently in early access phase released last year.

Though the move to make the game paid made the fans unhappy, Game Rant applauded the decision to be a positive move that would be beneficial for the full game slated to launch by this year’s end.

There is a very interesting thread on the Steam community where a gamer had enquired about the origins of the game maker Studio Wildcard. You might want to have a look.

An interesting point to note about the team is their welcoming approach towards talented potential employees even though they wish to work from remote locations.

ARK has received the Curse “Best In Show” award at PAX Prime 2015 and“Best Early Access Game” at GameStars 2015.

ARK: Survival of the Fittest on Steam

7. IRON SNOUT

This is a free-to-play hilarious game that’s a must try for every casual gamer! The aim is to fight as a piglet against wolves!

Developer and publisher SnoutUp was founded in 2014 by Aurimas, who is a solo hobbyist game developer from Lithuania and makes small, mobile-oriented games. He has also been involved with a lot of web, Android & iOS app development. Other than Iron Snout, he also has made games named Cave Blast, Bunny Goes Boom and  Ninja Shurican. He seems to have a lot of adoration for piglets as many of his games are based on them!

The game is currently rated a whopping 98% positive on Steam out of 7,344 reviews!!!

Here is a review on Game Zebo where the author confesses his addiction to this fun game!

Iron Snout on Steam

8. TADPOLE TREBLE

Tadpole Treble developed by BitFinity Games is a musical adventure which isanother crowdfunded game via Kickstarter.

You play as Baton, a newborn tadpole with no legs, but immense determination. It all begins with Baton being taken away far from home after a pelican preyed on her. Baton’s only wish is to be reunited back with her mother.

The game has been awarded 9/10 on Dark Zero after review.

Tadpole Treble on Steam

9. DETECTIVE HANK AND THE GOLDEN SNEEZE

Bring out your inner detective as Hank, with a mission to investigate and find out the cause of a mysterious theft of the Golden Sneeze from the museum of ancient history.

Developer Obsessive Science Games is an Indie Game company based in the Netherlands. They focus on creating games with innovative art forms that have never been tried before.

Orange Bison mentions the game to be very humorous at times in its detailed review.

Detective Hank and the Golden Sneeze on Steam

10. THE TRIBE

The Tribe is a very challenging tactical runner which improves the player’s cognitive skills as decision-making is based upon quick thinking while being in constant motion headed towards south.

The Tribe is currently rated very positive on Steam based on 83 reviews. It secured first place at North Games Jam 2015. Here is a quick review at the Linux Game Consortium.

The Tribe on Steam

BOTTOMLINE

It’s amazing to see more and more marvellous games being made official for Linux as a gaming platform and the Linux gamer’s dream finally being fulfilled!

Do let us know about your choice for best Linux games in the comments section!

TOP 10 BEST LINUX GAMES RELEASED IN 2016