Today we bring you a handy list of MMOs and MMORPGs that come with native Linux support. You don’t have to go out of your way to play these games on a Linux-running computer.
They all have a dedicated Linux installer, so the installation process will go on without much effort on your part.
15. Dead Maze
- Developer: Atelier 801
- Release Date: February 13, 2018
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac
- For fans of Zombie Games
Our Best MMOs for Linux list wouldn’t be complete without a zombie apocalypse game. Dead Maze, however, isn’t your ordinary zombie MMO. It’s a cute-looking survival game with colorful and cartoonish graphics. But don’t let the appearance fool you. Dead Maze has undead serious survival mechanics.
Players have to constantly keep an eye on their hunger, thirst, and fatigue levels. The gameplay features co-op activities. Survivors work together to rebuild the world.
The housing feature allows players to have a personalized haven where they can plant crops and raise animals.
The weapon arsenal includes more than 500 options ranging from classic items to weaponized toys.
14. Eternal Lands
- Developer: PureBinary
- Release Date: February 13, 2003
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac and Android
- For fans of Old-School MMOs
Eternal Lands is a 2003 indie fantasy MMORPG. It’s a niche game with outdated graphics and a small player base. Then why on Earth are we even mentioning it? Because underneath those 2000 graphics, lack of quality of life features, and clunky controls lies a captivating MMO adventure.
Eternal Lands doesn’t feature classes. It has skills such as magic, engineering, and harvesting that allow players to define their characters.
The gameplay doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of modern-day MMOs, but it does have plenty of quests and encourages players to explore the world.
It takes time to discover Eternal Lands, so don’t judge it based on a measly 30-minute playing session.
13. Transformice
- Developer: Atelier 801
- Release Date: May 1, 2010
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac
- For fans of Cheese, 2D MMOs
Forget about saving the world, defeating the evilest creatures, and uncovering unnecessarily-complicated plots. In Transformice, all you have to do is to get to the cheese. Why? Because you are a mouse. It may sound crazy, but it’s lots of fun.
This MMO platformer has multiple game modes and millions of unique levels. Players take turns being the Shaman, a powerful alter ego. Level up your Shaman to gain access to more skills and use them to guide the mice to the cheese or for other purposes.
Transformice is a free game where cosmetics are the only items you can buy with money.
12. Robocraft
- Developer: Freejam
- Release Date: August 24, 2017
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac, Xbox
- For fans of
Robocraft is an action MMO that lets you build robots. The game offers an intuitive creation mode. Players use it to combine more than 250 cubes into unique robots.
Equip your robot with wheels, flying systems, weapons, and more to create a vehicle, plane, drone, or whatever machine you envision. If you come up with a unique design, don’t hesitate to share it with the community.
Clans that support up to 50 players are great ways to connect with like-minded builders. Robocraft comes with PvE and PvP scenarios for players to test their creations against others’ and AI-controlled enemies.
11. War Thunder
- Developer: Gaijin Entertainment
- Release Date: 15 Aug, 2013
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac, Xbox and Playstation
- For fans of War Games
War Thunder is a military MMO that deals with all types of warfare: terrestrial, aerial, and naval. It’s a realistic game that features an impressive collection of war planes, machines, vehicles, and ships.
You can expect to find more than 2,000 units dating from the beginning of the 20th century up to the present day.
Players have the chance to replay historic battles on more than 100 accurate maps. Authentic music and graphics transform PvP matches into intense conflicts.
Cross-platform interaction guarantees that the battlefields are never empty.
Regular updates and events keep the players engaged.
10. Dofus and Wakfu
- Developer: Ankama
- Release Date: February 29, 2012
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac, Android and iOS
- For fans of Anime MMOs
Dofus and Wakfu are turn-based MMORPGs from Ankama Games. Dofus came out in 2004. Wakfu followed as a sequel eight years later.
Both games are still up and running with a more than decent player base. They have similar features, most notably the tactical combat system and the graphics style.
So, the question is Dofus or Wakfu? The choice belongs to you. The newer Wakfu is available on Steam, so it has more exposure. The best way to decide is to just give them both a try.
Both Dofus and Wakfu are free to play.
9. Fishing Planet
- Developer: Fishing Planet LLC
- Release Date: August 11, 2015
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac, Playstation and Xbox
- For fans of Fishing
Why fight when you can fish? Many MMOs have fishing, but Fishing Planet is the MMO that builds the gameplay around fishing.
It’s a relaxing game with beautiful graphics and realistic fishing mechanics. More than 170 species of fish ensure that your mission on the Fishing Planet won’t be done any time soon.
Diverse environments with distinct weather and geographical features provide a nice change of scenery.
Thousands of equipment and tackle combos allow you to reel in your catch whether you’re float, bottom, or spinning fishing.
The MMO features refer to tournaments, achievements, and leaderboards. The game is free-to-play.
8. Eldevin
- Developer: Hunted Cow Studios
- Release Date: 6 Nov, 2014
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac
- For fans of Free-to-Play MMOs
The Hunted Cow Studios deliver an indie fantasy MMO with tons of content. Players follow the main story to discover the game’s lore and complete side quests for extra rewards and insight.
The Eldevin Kingdom stretches over several cities, lush forests, mountain ranges, and plains. Dungeons and mysterious areas hide many secrets.
The character system includes six talent trees with more than 200 talent choices, 14 professions, and more than 100 combat abilities.
Players join forces to take down bosses in PvE challenges and compete in PvP battles.
7. Star Conflict
- Developer: Targem Games
- Release Date: July 24, 2012
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac
- For fans of Sci-Fi MMOs
Star Conflict is an MMO action shooter in which you get to play as a pilot.
The story takes us far away into the future and away from Earth. Remains of an ancient alien civilization have been found on a remote planet.
Naturally, humans cannot sit aside and let the stellar dust settle over all that loot. You will have to fight your way through to get to the riches. You can also expect competition from your fellow looters.
Luckily, the ship selection presents more than 100 different vessels that give plenty of strategic options. Ship customization and player alliances are also part of the game.
6. Shroud of the Avatar
- Developer: Portalarium, Catnip Games
- Release Date: November 24, 2014
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac
- For fans of Old-School MMOs
Shroud of the Avatar never lived up to the hype. That’s not to say that it’s bad. To put it simply, it isn’t the MMO revolution that we expected from Richard Garriot, the man behind the Ultimate series.
SOTA nails some points and loses a few. The skill system that allows players to mix spells and skills is definitely a pro.
The quests rest on interesting lore and have several endings. The game encourages exploration. You never know where you stumble on a quest giver or another thing of interest.
The player base is low, but the community is active and friendly.
5. Spiral Knights
- Developer: Grey Havens, Three Rings Design
- Release Date: April 4, 2011
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac
- For fans of Kid-Friendly MMOs
Discover a fantasy world that challenges players to participate in fast-paced matches. The objective of Spiral Knights is to reach the Core.
The point of the game is to work as a team. Together with your band mates, you will slash your way through enemies and figure out puzzles.
Thanks to the matchmaking system, joining a multiplayer game is quick and easy.
Hundreds of equipment options and weapons allow players to grow stronger and experiment with different play styles.
Spiral Knights is free-to-play.
4. ARK: Survival Evolved
- Developer: Studio Wildcard
- Release Date: 27 Aug, 2017
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac, Androi, iOS and Nintendo Switch
- For fans of Dinosaurs, Survival MMOs
With great delight, we report that one of the best survival MMOs runs natively on Linux. The game features a prehistoric setting. Your task is to survive and thrive in a world where dinosaurs run free. Until you catch them and make them your pets, mounts, companions, and combat helpers. You can even breed creatures to obtain better specimens.
Survival features include the constant need for food, water, suitable clothing, and shelter. Speaking of shelter, the game has a building system that allows players to raise structures using harvested resources.
If you don’t want the MMO experience, ARK works great as a single player game.
3. Wurm Online
- Developer: Code Club AB
- Release Date: June 6, 2006
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac
- For fans of Sandbox MMOs
Wurm Online is a sandbox gem hidden behind outdated graphics, a clunky interface, and the lack of a proper tutorial. The last part is what sets most people off. If you have the patience to learn the mechanics, a wonderful world of possibilities and freedom reveals itself to you.
Wurm Online offers a true sandbox experience that includes the most complex MMO crafting feature. More than 130 skills allow players to specialize in various professions. This open world doesn’t have instanced content or areas. You can build on a vacant plot or fight for territory.
The game has separate PvE and PvP servers.
2. RuneScape and Old School RuneScape
- Developer: Jagex
- Release Date: 2001
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac, Android and iOS
- For fans of Old-School MMORPGs
No matter which one you choose, you will embark on an unforgettable MMORPG journey. Both games stem from the original 2001 RuneScape.
The gameplay features skill-based character progression. You will advance through skills such as attack, magic, crafting, agility, farming, mining, and fire making. The list continues with 21 more unique skills.
The RuneScape series has the best MMORPG quests. NPCs are guaranteed to leave an impression on the adventurers that seek to do their bidding.
Non-paying members have access to a rather small portion of the game, however, the membership offers good value for money. The RS series implements an honest free-to-play model that doesn’t include pay to win items.
1. Albion Online
- Developer: Sandbox Interactive
- Release Date: July 17, 2017
- Platforms: Linux, PC, Mac, Android, iOS
- For fans of Runescape, Isometric MMOs
The 2017 Albion Online is one of the newest MMORPGs with native Linux support. PvP and sandbox gameplay make up the foundations of this fantasy game with a player-driven economy.
The ability to craft almost anything is one of the most appealing features. Primary tools, weapons, armors, and many other items come from crafting.
The classless character system allows players to equip any type of gear. Change the equipment to switch up play styles.
While Albion Online has PvE content, the game caters to the PvP fans. Most players don’t shy away from PvP combat.
If none of the above games seem interesting to you, here are five more native Linux MMOs suggestions. Keep an open mind and remember that the MMO experience is highly subjective.
Ryzom – A complex MMORPG with a solid crafting feature.
Champions of Regnum – A PvP-centered free to play MMO that caters to Realm versus Realm fans.
A Tale in the Desert – A unique MMORPG that doesn’t have combat. The focus is on trading, crafting, and social interactions.
Out of Reach – From castaway to pirate to builder. A fun game at a decent price.
Toontown Rewritten – The free to play revival of Disney’s Toontown Online is a great game for kids and nostalgia-stricken adults.