If you’re looking for a way to maximize and simplify your Linux gaming experience, Flatpak games are the way to go.

With simple, straightforward installation and no need for extra configuration, today’s free Flatpak games are changing the Linux gaming landscape. Here are eight of the best ones.

What Makes Free Flatpak Games Special?

The Flatpak format is a sort of all-in-one packaging system. The Flatpak doesn’t just contain the game that you want to install, it also contains all the necessary “extras” that the game requires to run.

This means that when you install the game, you won’t need to install anything else to make it work (assuming the game supports your hardware). Everything the game needs is in the package and installed at the same time.

Going in reverse, if you want to uninstall, the complete game along with all of its support files will be removed at once. There will be no leftover, unused software polluting your operating system.

It may sound too good to be true, but each of our eight Linux Flatpak games can do just that, and numerous Linux distros have adopted Flatpak.

Welcome to the future of gaming on Linux!

1. Endless Sky

Endless Sky is a sandbox-type space exploration and battle game set in the third millennium. The game has a predetermined storyline that you can follow if you wish, but you are also completely free to make your own decisions and determine your own in-game destiny. Trade goods between worlds to grow your wealth; become a ruthless space pirate and rob your way to riches; or, perhaps, the life of a bounty hunter appeals most to you.

Endless Sky is exceptionally well-designed and executed. It puts many other open-source games to shame with its rich storylines and top-notch audiovisual experience. The game shares characteristics with highly popular classics such as Escape Velocity and Elite. There are hundreds of worlds to explore and unlimited opportunities to make your mark your own way.

2. 0 A.D.

0 A.D. is a real-time strategy game (RTS) where you must lead your people to grow, evolve, and survive as they move through 13 different historical epochs. Fans of the genre will find the gameplay similar to classics such as Empire Earth, Command and Conquer, and Age of Empires.

The graphics are superb and the soundtrack is extremely well done. Soothing music plays in the background but can be turned off if you wish. You’ll hear your people respond to your commands as they build structures, mine minerals, and harvest food and livestock.

Don't get too comfortable, however, as you always have to beware of competing civilizations! You’ll need to defend your empire as well as build it. Will your civilization advance and grow into a future superpower or become a forgotten footnote in the pages of history?

3. Warzone 2100

Warzone 2100 was actually developed as a commercial RTS game, similar to games like Red Alert, Warcraft, or Dune. It was released in 1999. In 2004, the developers decided to release it as open-source and a thriving community has kept the game active and evolving ever since.

With more than 400 different technologies and build design combinations available, your options are virtually limitless. Play through detailed campaigns, quick single-player skirmishes, or go online and take on live opponents from all over the world.

Whatever your choice, you’ll quickly find yourself addicted to the chaos and destruction that is Warzone 2100.

4. SuperTuxKart

As you might have guessed from the name, SuperTuxKart is an open-source racing game inspired by the popular cart racing series featuring a certain large-nosed plumber of Italian descent. Don’t be fooled though, SuperTuxKart is not some cheap clone knock-off. It is an exciting, full-featured game in its own right.

You can choose from several gaming modes ranging from straight races to wild freestyle bumper cart battles. There’s a single-player story mode as well as online racing. There are more than 21 tracks to test your skills, and plenty of characters and carts to choose from.

If you’re looking for a fun, casual racing game that will always put a smile on your face, you can’t beat SuperTuxKart.

5. Stunt Rally

Stunt Rally is an all-out, off-road rally racing game with challenging tracks that go far beyond driving in circles as fast as you can. This high-quality racer comes with more than 170 different tracks, 30 different racing environments including other planets with unique physics properties, and over 20 cars to choose from.

From flooded island courses to enclosed tubular tracks through the mountains. You’ll need all of your skills (and wits) to manage the sharp turns, wild banks, and half-pipe loops. Put the pedal to the metal and get ready for the ride of your life.

If you want a racing game with replayability, Stunt Rally will have you coming back again and again.

6. AstroMenace

AstroMenace is described as a hardcore scrolling 3-D space shooter. It delivers superb audiovisual effects and relentless shoot ‘em up action. As you make your way through waves of alien enemies, you’ll be able to upgrade your ship and its weapons to take your destructive tendencies to new levels.

If you’re a fan of the classic arcade space shoot ’em up games such as Galaga or Galaxian, AstroMenace will definitely take you to your happy place.

7. Red Eclipse

Red Eclipse is a free and open-source 3-D first-person arena shooter. It comes with more than 70 different maps ready to play and customization options for your avatar and even your weapons.

Red Eclipse is a great alternative for fans of first-person shooters who may not have the hardware to run some of the latest resource-hungry games. You can play offline against bots or connect to one of many dedicated Red Eclipse servers and get your aggression out by blasting complete strangers from around the globe. The gameplay is fast and smooth even on older hardware.

8. OpenRA

OpenRA is not just a real-time strategy game, it’s also an RTS building application. The goal of OpenRA is to preserve the classic RTS feel of games like Red Alert, Command & Conquer, and Dune, but add some modern tweaks to enhance the experience.

In 2022, OpenRA is being actively developed and can be played solo or online. You can create your own maps and modifications with the intuitive editor. On top of that, the OpenRA resource pages allow you to choose and download from more than 500 community-created maps and mods or upload your own creations.

OpenRA is arguably one of the best free and open-source games in the RTS genre available today. But

Start Your Linux Flatpak Gaming Experience

The games we’ve listed here are just to get you started. If you explore Flathub, you’ll find that there are many more games available completely free. And we’re talking outstanding quality games here!

The time is coming when we won’t need to depend on Windows to run our favorite games. In fact, if you’re a bit more tech-savvy, you’ll find that you can already run many great Windows games on Linux.