What Were the Top Linux GOTY Picks for 2025? - December 2025

The top Linux Game of the Year (GOTY) picks for 2025 include Deltarune, Dying Light: The Beast, Avowed, and Civilization VII, as revealed by GamingOnLinux contributors and the wider community in a comprehensive end-of-year review.

Quick Breakdown: 2025 Linux GOTY Highlights

• GamingOnLinux contributors and community members presented their diverse Game of the Year selections for 2025.
• Key editor picks span narrative-driven indies like Deltarune and Dispatch, to AAA titles such as Dying Light: The Beast and Avowed.
• Strategy epic Civilization VII was highlighted for its depth and significant playtime, despite community division.
• Community contributions spotlighted titles like Zexion, Tainted Grail, Stellar Blade, and the acclaimed Silksong.
• All selected games were celebrated for their performance and enjoyment across Linux desktop, Steam Deck, and other SteamOS Linux systems.

Which Games Defined Linux GOTY in 2025?

As 2025 draws to a close, GamingOnLinux curated its definitive list of the year's standout titles playable on Linux. This year's selection involved a collaborative effort, bringing in long-time community contributors, moderators, and article writers to offer a diverse perspective on the best gaming experiences.

Deltarune: A Narrative Masterpiece

Samsai championed Deltarune, acknowledging that while not fully released in 2025, the chapters available delivered some of the past few years' best gaming. Praised for its wonderfully witty writing, excellent music, likeable characters, and an unfolding mystery, Deltarune sets the stage for eagerly anticipated 2026 chapters. Its unique charm, including the humorous advice to "eat some moss," resonated deeply.

Dying Light: The Beast – A True Techland Sequel?

Dpanter's top pick was Dying Light: The Beast, heralded as the long-awaited spiritual successor to the 2015 original. After previous attempts like Bad Blood (2018) and the 2022 numerical sequel, The Beast proved Techland's dedication to its fanbase, restoring beloved elements from DL1 and shedding much of the "nonsense" from DL2. Despite retaining some classic "Techland jank," the game stands as a testament to fan-centric development.

Avowed: The Next-Gen Skyrim Competitor?

Scaine selected Obsidian Entertainment's Avowed, describing it as a true successor to Skyrim. After 14 years, Avowed reportedly matches Skyrim's high bar with deep character creation, expansive skill trees, and a packed, engaging open world. It innovates with party-based combat and a driven 40-hour storyline. Combat is noted for its physical impact, reminiscent of Dark Messiah, with satisfying elemental magic effects, positioning it as a frontrunner attempting to surpass Skyrim's legacy.

Civilization VII and Indie Gems: BTRE's Diverse Picks

BTRE, known for diving into backlogs, made an exception for Civilization VII, dedicating an impressive 580 hours. While acknowledging its faults and new direction, BTRE found the game interesting and challenging, especially post-launch with various quality-of-life patches. Beyond Civ VII, 2025 was a strong year for indies, with BTRE highlighting Silksong as a "masterclass in presentation" and responsiveness, alongside the puzzle brilliance of Kaizen, the colorful Kulebra, the latest Touhou entry Fossilized Wonders, strategy roguelike The King is Watching, and the delightful Monster Prom 4 and Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog.

Dispatch: Liam Dawe's Immersive Narrative Choice

Liam Dawe was profoundly hooked by Dispatch, a game that compelled him to finish it rapidly due to its gripping story. He lauded its exceptional blend of animated scenes, top-class voice acting, and clever hero management, complete with witty character quips. Dispatch delivered a rare, cohesive experience, with anticipation already building for a teased Season 2.

What Did the Linux Community Choose as Their Best of 2025?

The GamingOnLinux comments section buzzed with diverse community picks for 2025's best games. Zexion emerged as a favorite for robvv, while rustynail championed Tainted Grail for its excellent writing and surprising quests, despite early launch roughness. Tevur unequivocally declared Silksong as their GOTY. Other notable mentions included Digimon Story Time Stranger for its technical polish by tmtvl, KROM's appreciation for Stellar Blade and Claire Obscure, Julius's recommendation of the hidden gem FPS Metal Eden, and Doktor-Mandrake's endorsement of Split-Fiction for its old-school charm and UE5 optimization.

Why Do These 2025 GOTY Picks Matter for Linux Gaming?

The 2025 Game of the Year selections from GamingOnLinux are a crucial barometer for the health and diversity of the Linux gaming ecosystem. The sheer variety—from expansive AAA RPGs and strategy titles to innovative indies and narrative-driven adventures—demonstrates that high-quality gaming is thriving on Linux desktop, Steam Deck, and SteamOS. These picks highlight not only the technical prowess of game developers in ensuring compatibility but also the vibrant, engaged community driving the platform forward. The inclusion of both established franchises and niche titles underscores a robust and varied landscape, offering something for every type of player and setting an optimistic tone for future Linux releases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who contributed to the 2025 GamingOnLinux GOTY picks?

The 2025 GamingOnLinux GOTY picks were compiled by owner Liam Dawe, with contributions from long-time community members Samsai, Dpanter, Scaine, and BTRE, as well as input from the wider community in the comments.

What were some of the top AAA game picks for 2025?

Key AAA picks for 2025 included Dying Light: The Beast (Dpanter's choice), Avowed (Scaine's pick), and Civilization VII (BTRE's most-played game of the year).

Which indie games stood out in the 2025 GOTY selections?

Indie highlights included Samsai's pick, Deltarune, BTRE's mention of Silksong, Kaizen, and Kulebra, and Liam Dawe's immersive narrative choice, Dispatch.