FWIW, I have a relatively high spec machine (Nvidia 2070, lots of RAM, etc.), so I'm not too concerned about system requirements.
When I go to explore Linux games on Steam, the list is quite long. I inevitably go down deep rabbit holes of reading player reviews trying to find the right game, until I run out of steam.
I'd appreciate your suggestions (despite my terrible pun above), and if you don't mind, please also share your reasons.
Thanks!
It's hands-down one of the best games I've ever played. What makes it so unique is how in-depth the builds and play styles can be. Endless combinations and replayability.
It's an "M x N" combinatorial thing.
There's something like ~10 classes, with 3 "skill trees" each.
You can (and should) choose a second class after first few levels.
Now you've got (10 ^ 2) class combinations, with 3 skill trees for each that you can freely use.
Then there's a whole thing with types of damage (fire, poison, lightning, etc) and you can tailor builds around this, with both skills and equipment bonuses.
On top of it all, it's moddable. So people have released mods to add Diablo classes into it, plus the classes from another game by the same publisher (Titan Quest).
Can play solo, or co-op (LAN or online)
I can't do the game justice with a single text comment tbh. Just have to try it, if it's your kind of game.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/219990/Grim_Dawn/
Buy the entire set though if you really want to experience it, not just the base game.
In any case, if you like games I like, then maybe Factorio and OpenTTD are all you need. OpenTTD is free download (not on steam). Factorio is on steam, but I recommend you buy its straight from the developer instead, so you can get the DRM-free headless version and run servers (and other such benefits).
Or, to answer more directly, I've recently played on linux via steam and can recommend:
- Total War Warhammer II (native, don't need the DLC unless you want to play specific factions)
- Frostpunk (proton)
- Don't Starve (native)
- Civilization VI (native)
- Factorio (native)
- Crusader Kings II / III (native)
- Valheim (native)
- Pathfinder: Kingmaker (native)
Also, if you want to play through the story mode of an rts, I’d recommend Zero-K (https://zero-k.info/)
Both have worked well on an X220 for me
I played it on Mac, so I assume it works on Linux too.
Aside from that, don't be afraid of using proton to play windows games. If the game has been out for a while, Steam should make everything "Just work" (assuming no online play)
It may be old, but it's a true masterpiece of the RPG genre.
Shenzhen I/O [1]. It's one of the most hardcore and nerdiest EE simulation game out in the wild. You have to consult the manual and get the registers, DRAM and communication ports right. Trust me, the details of this game would even make a real engineer impressed.
[0]: https://store.steampowered.com/app/548430/Deep_Rock_Galactic...
The best Linux-native game I've played recently has been "Sunless Sea"[0]. It's basically an interactive novel with a fascinating subterranean setting.
But, Sunless Sea might be totally wrong for you -- it depends what you're looking for!
The three games in the Tomb Raider reboot trilogy can currently be had for very little money on Steam since they're on sale for the 25th anniversary of the franchise. They all have Linux builds and they'll run great on the RTX 2070 while also using it fully. They're one of the few AAA single player action/adventure titles available on the platform and they're good fun if you enjoy that kind of game.
0AD, OpenRA, Widelands are some nice improved remakes of the genre, and can fully recommend to check them out.
Other than that I'd recommend to check the appdb of wine and proton in case you want to run Windows games, their database usually contains helpful fixes and patches.
https://github.com/sim-museum/esports-for-engineers
(this is free, and does not use steam)
https://flathub.org/apps/details/net.sourceforge.ExtremeTuxR...
XCOM2 : turn based combat
Darkest Dungeon : turn based roguelike