Every month there are more and more games for Linux. Thanks to the efforts of Valve, this platform is supported by the Steam digital game distribution system, which motivates more and more developers to publish games for Linux.
But the progress in games is also going the other way. The compatibility system of Windows programs with Linux Wine is actively developed and improved; it is already possible to run many Windows games through Wine and playfully.
There are many classic games we’re used to that aren’t exactly made for Linux, but some of them you can play. This article has collected the best Windows games for Linux that you can run in Wine without any problems. All of these games were released many years ago, but many of them have become cults.
Best Windows Games on Linux
1.Final Fantasy XI online
Final Fantasy XI is a Japanese online MMORPG released in 2003. It has always maintained its popularity among gamers around the world. As in any other game of this type, you need to choose a character, develop it and participate in quests. A particular bias is made on team play.
To improve the character, you have to participate in battles, earn money, create items and do everything that is the same as most other MMORPGs. The game runs smoothly in Wine and has Platinum status. According to the testers, almost everything works fine.
2. The World of Tanks
World of Tanks is a very popular online multiplayer game featuring combat vehicles from 1930 to 1950. The game has PvP genre and combines action and strategy elements. The game world includes more than 100 different combat vehicles from Britain, France, China, Soviet Union, Germany and USA.
The game has a Gold status on the AppDB, according to testers, game settings, random battles, team play, platoon chat, as well as some mods work. No non-working time was found.
3. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim is the fifth installment in The Elder Scrolls series published by Bethesda. In this role-playing game, the main character will have to defeat the dragon Alduin, who is prophesied to destroy the world. The game takes place two hundred years after the events of the previous part of Oblivion, on the lands of Skyrim in the midst of civil war after the assassination of the king.
Everything from The Elder Scrolls series is here – an open world, freedom of action, exploration, and character leveling. In Wine, the game works with a bang after installing all the necessary libraries, Platinum status.
4. Gothic 3
This is the third installment in a series of role-playing games from German developers, released in 2006. The game takes place after the completion of the second part of the story. Hordes of orcs have enslaved the human kingdoms, but the rebels hide in the mountains and continue to resist.
The player can take part in the war for the continent alongside invaders or rebels. It is also possible to join different guilds or factions. The testers claim that the wine game works perfectly. Platinum status.
5.EVE Online
EVE Online is an online space MMORPG that has become very popular. A huge universe is offered to the player and he is free to do what he wants. You need to improve character skills, take part in team battles and conquer new territories together with other players.
The elementary particle of the game are the corporations, they fight among themselves for resources and everyone wants to have as many as possible. There is a relatively safe island, border and buffer zones, as well as wild territories where everyone fights against everyone else. The game works well in Wine, Gold status.
6.Warcraft III
Warcraft III is the fourth game in the Warcraft series published by Blizzard. This is a real-time strategy in which the main bet is on the development of the hero. You can cut trees, mine gold, build a building and train troops. Heroes are characters with special abilities, they are stronger than the rest of the army.
You can choose one of the factions: humans, orcs, undead or elves. Each of the races has unique heroes. Everything works fine after installing the necessary libraries, except for the cut scenes. Game status: Gold.
7 Guild Wars
It is a Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game released by AreaNet in 2005. There are several factions in the game, but they are not at war with each other. All together they resist the common evil – the dragons. The plot is well developed, but besides that there are many quests.
In Wine, the game works perfectly. But some adjustments need to be made. Status – Gold.
8.Crysis 2
Crysis 2 is a sci-fi first-person shooter developed by German company CryTek and published by Electronics Arts. It is the second game in the trilogy and is set in New York City in the year 2023, three years after the events of the first part. You must use your abilities and weapons to resist the alien invasion.
When starting the game in Wine, everything works, the company, the video inserts and the settings menu. Only multiplayer has not been tested. Status: Platinum.
9 Starcraft II
StarCraft II is a real-time strategy game released by Blizzard in 2007. The game is set in the 26th century, in a separate section of the Milky Way galaxy. There are three races in the game: Terran, Zerg and Protos.
You have to extract resources and participate in many battles. The player’s goal is to destroy all enemy buildings. The Wine game runs fine, it just freezes when exiting. Status: Gold.
10 Serious Sam II
Serious Sam II is a fantasy first-person shooter released in 2005 as the third game in the series. In one company you have to play as a hero – Sam, who in every way opposes the alien invaders who are destroying mankind.
Windows games on linux run fairly well on Wine, some testers have noticed weather changing issues, but it doesn’t interfere with the game. Status: Gold.
11. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
Warhammer Dawn of War is a real-time strategy series from THQ set in the Warhammer universe. Several races are available in the game – space marines, chaos, orgks, eldar, necrons and the tau empire. You must capture the entire planet by playing for one of the races. Each faction has its own unique units and abilities. The game also has multiplayer.
To win you need to construct buildings, train troops and craft equipment, capture control points and destroy the enemy. Running this game for Wine Linux is quite possible, even multiplayer works. Status: Gold.
12. Most Wanted Need for Speed
This is a very popular racing game released in 2005. The game takes place in a fictional city – Rockport, in which the player is given full freedom of movement. The hero must win many races and collect his BMW M3 GTR.
You are waiting for street racing, as well as car tuning with the optimization of various parameters. The game works fine in Wine, but you can’t change the screen resolution. Status: Gold.
13 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Probably, this is a cult game that everyone knows. The game takes place in Los Antos, San Andreas. We are in the 90s, the protagonist is in very big trouble, his mother is killed, the seed has disintegrated and the police are trying to frame him for a murder he did not commit. He will have to tour the entire state of San Andreas to save his family and take over the streets.
The game runs fine in Wine, there are some volume issues, but overall it’s playable. Platinum status.
14. Command & Conquer: Generals
Generals is a real-time military strategy game. The game was released by EA Electronics in 2003. You have to fight for one of the factions: China, USA or Rebellion Army. Each of the factions has unique gear and weapons that are not available to the others.
During the battle, you can use both infantry and vehicles, including helicopters and planes. Also available in the game are weapons of mass destruction, nuclear missiles, chemical projectiles and precise laser. More importantly, the number of units and buildings you can build is only limited by the size of the map, and the resources are endless. The game runs very well in Wine, with only a few issues with multiplayer. Status: Platinum.
15. Call STALKER from Pripyat
Last on our list of Windows games for Linux will be another iconic first-person shooter with RPG elements. This is the third part of the series. The actions take place after the end of the first part, in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. The military decide to clear the area and send an advanced reconnaissance team. But the operation fails.
You have to find the reason for the destruction of the helicopters. The hero will have to search all the helicopters and try to find the surviving soldiers, while heading towards the center of the area. The original version of Steam works well in Wine, Platinum status.
Conclusions
In this article, we have reviewed the best Windows games on Linux that can be run in Wine without major issues. Yes, to run these games you will have to make some adjustments and install additional libraries, but they work and are completely normal. And what games that work perfectly in wine do you know? Write in the comments!
