10 Battle-Tested ARPGs for Linux

There’s not a ton of Linux-native ARPGs, but there are a few. Also, you still have plenty of options, thanks to Proton. Torchlight comes to mind with its smooth native performance, as does Path of Exile’s well-optimized Vulkan implementation.

But wait, there’s more! Let me walk you through some of the best battle-tested options to help find your next dungeon-crawling obsession.

1. Path of Exile: The Free-to-Play Diablo Alternative

Path of Exile has become my go-to recommendation for Linux gamers seeking a hack-and-slash, Diablo-like experience without spending money. I’ve sunk hundreds of hours into PoE and remain impressed by how it delivers premium gameplay without pay-to-win mechanics. It comes with a dark fantasy setting and deep character building that rival anything Blizzard has created.

Path of Exile Installation Guide for Linux

Getting PoE running smoothly might take some trial and error. The most reliable method I’ve found uses Steam with Proton Experimental – it handles most configuration automatically.

For Steam installation:

1. Enable Steam Play for all titles in Steam settings
2. Install Path of Exile through Steam
3. Set launch options to DXVK_STATE_CACHE=0 %command% for improved performance [20]
4. Select Proton Experimental as your compatibility tool

Lutris is another route with pre-configured settings, though I haven’t tested this extensively myself. If you’re running an NVIDIA GPU, make sure you’re using driver version 396.24 or newer.

Vulkan rendering typically performs better than DirectX. One quirk worth noting is that you might need to start at 1080p before switching to your preferred resolution.

Fixing Micro-Stuttering

If you’re experiencing micro-stutters, try the following:

• Shader Optimization: Create a symbolic link to the shader cache folder in your home directory and set _GL_SHADER_DISK_CACHE_SKIP_CLEANUP=1 in Lutris configuration
• Sound Adjustments: Turning off specific sound effects in production_config.ini can boost frame rates for some
• Steam Overlay: Disabling this is also recommended to eliminate stuttering
• GameMode: Running with gamemoderun or Feral GameMode can help performance.

For AMD users, I’d strongly recommend enabling the ACO shader compiler in Lutris system options.

2. Torchlight II: Polished ARPG Experience

Torchlight II is a more casual title with a colorful art style, but there’s also some depth here.

Native Linux Version vs. Proton

The native Linux port arrived back in March 2015 through Steam Play, but it’s showing its age these days. It’s a relatively old game that doesn’t always play nice with modern systems, so running through Proton may yield much better results.

Recommended settings:

1. Use Proton Experimental in Steam compatibility settings
2. Add DXVK_STATE_CACHE=0 %command% to launch options
3. On Steam Deck, disable SMT through Decky Plugin Power Tools for a steady 60 FPS.

Torchlight II’s Mod Support on Linux

The mod support makes Torchlight II stand out from other Diablo-likes. Steam Workshop integration means you can just click subscribe and let it handle everything automatically. The built-in GUTS editor lets Linux users create their own mods too. Just watch out for occasional segmentation faults with certain mods – clearing the .local game folder usually fixes those.

3. Grim Dawn: Dark Fantasy ARPG

Grim Dawn absolutely nails the dark, oppressive atmosphere that many ARPGs aim for but rarely achieve. The Victorian-inspired post-apocalyptic setting feels fresh compared to typical fantasy fare.

Running Grim Dawn Through Proton

The game isn’t natively supported on Linux, but Proton handles things pretty well these days, though it wasn’t always smooth sailing.

Here’s what works for me (Steam):

• Install through Steam and select Proton Experimental
• Create a symbolic link to the shader cache folder
• Add DXVK_STATE_CACHE=0 %command% to launch options
• Save files live at: /steam/steamapps/compatdata/219990/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Grim Dawn/save

Some folks swear by the GOG version with Wine + DXVK. Personally, I haven’t tested this route.

4. Victor Vran: Action-Packed Demon Hunter

Victor Vran completely flips the traditional ARPG formula on its head. Rather than clicking to move and attack, you’re actively dodging and jumping around like a proper demon hunter. The result feels refreshingly different from typical Diablo clones. The controls here feel more like a third-person action game than a traditional ARPG. You’ll use WASD to move and actually jump/dodge around the battlefield

Native Linux Support and Performance

The native Linux version runs beautifully out of the box. I haven’t encountered any major compatibility hiccups.

One quirk worth noting – maxing out the graphics will drop your frame rates substantially. But it can be mitigated by dialing back MSAA to x2.

5. FLARE: Free and Open Source Option

_{Image Source: Flare RPG}

FLARE caught me by surprise when I first tried it. This open-source ARPG delivers solid Diablo-style gameplay with 2D graphics in the style of Diablo I/II. The engine itself is a fascinating piece of work. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, the developers focused purely on making a great 2D ARPG engine in C++ with SDL2.

Installation from Repositories

Getting FLARE running couldn’t be easier. No wrestling with Proton or Wine needed – just grab it straight from your distro’s repositories:

• Debian/Ubuntu users: sudo apt install flare
• Arch folks: Check your standard repos

The game stores settings in $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/flare/ or $HOME/.config/flare/. First time you launch, it’ll create all the config files automatically.

FLARE Official Page

6. Last Epoch: Time-Traveling ARPG

Last Epoch takes the ARPG formula in a fascinating direction I haven’t seen before. The time travel mechanics aren’t just window dressing – they fundamentally change how you approach the game. Jumping between different eras of Eterra feels properly woven into both story and gameplay.

The Linux situation with Last Epoch is… complicated. While the game initially had native support, the developers have since removed the native Linux client in favor of Proton.

Here’s a workaround that’s been reliable for me: Right-click Last Epoch in Steam → Properties → Compatibility tab → Enable “Force use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool” → Select Proton Experimental → Close and let it patch → Repeat but disable compatibility tool.

From my testing, Proton GE 8-32 runs things smoothly without extra tweaks. Still, I’d recommend checking ProtonDB before diving in – the compatibility landscape changes pretty frequently.

7. Titan Quest: Ancient Mythology ARPG

Titan Quest lets you smash mythological monsters across ancient Greece, Egypt, and more. This 2006 gem from Iron Lore Entertainment proves that good ARPGs don’t need demons and dark fantasy to be compelling. The historical setting gives everything a unique flavor that holds up surprisingly well.

The main issue with Linux is to get multiplayer to work. Here’s a possible fix:

1. Install through Steam and select Proton Experimental
2. Grab the special ws2_32.dll file for multiplayer
3. Add this to launch options: WINEDLLOVERRIDES="ws2_32=n" %command%

If you’re using the GOG version, you can skip Lutris and just set up a basic Wine prefix.

8. Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem

Wolcen has come a long way since launch. After three years of updates, it’s evolved into something genuinely unique in the ARPG space. The combat feels properly challenging, and the character-building offers flexibility I rarely see in games like this.

Since there’s no native version, we’re working with Proton here. Proton Experimental generally handles things well, though you might run into some quirks. One nasty error I’ve encountered mentions “Unsupported CPU detected. CPU needs to support SSE, SSE2 and SSE3″ – i.e. mainly an issue for older hardware.

9. Chronicon: Pixel Art ARPG Goodness

Don’t let those charming pixels fool you – Chronicon packs some serious depth beneath its retro exterior. It has one of the most intricate character building systems I’ve seen in an ARPG lately. Most users have a flawless experience with the native version. If you are having issues, just try Proton Experimental.

10. Hades: Roguelike ARPG Excellence

Hades really reinvents the ARPG formula. The way it handles death and storytelling is unique – dying isn’t just a setback, it’s actually part of the narrative. And it’s highly addictive.

The game runs beautifully on Linux through Proton Experimental. My Steam Deck testing has been particularly impressive. With some tweaking, you can really stretch that battery life. Setting TDP to 4 and GPU clock to 1100 pushed my sessions from 3.5-4 hours to a solid 5.5-6 hours.