Does HELLDIVERS 2 run on Linux?
Verdict: Yes
Yes. HELLDIVERS 2 is a Windows game that runs on Linux through Proton, the tool built into Steam, and players on ProtonDB rate it Gold, the second-highest rating. Its anti-cheat (nProtect GameGuard) works on Linux.
Helldivers 2 did not start on Linux when it launched in February 2024, because of its kernel level anti-cheat. Valve released a Proton Hotfix on 10 February 2024 that got it running, and it has worked since without anything unusual asked of the player.
The catch is that this arrangement is not guaranteed. A game update on 29 April 2026 broke launching on Linux again, and Valve shipped another hotfix the same day. So expect the occasional day when a patch lands and the game will not open until Steam has updated itself. If that would spoil your week, this is a game to be patient with rather than one to avoid.
HELLDIVERS 2 is an action game from Arrowhead Game Studios, published by PlayStation Publishing LLC, first released on 8 February 2024.
It is played co-operatively. Steam lists partial controller support.
The evidence
- Its own Linux version
- No, it runs through Proton
- Player rating on ProtonDB
- Gold, from 2,100 reports
- Steam Deck (which runs Linux)
- Playable, with small niggles
- Anti-cheat
- nProtect GameGuard: Works on Linux, unofficially
How to play it
New to this? Can I play my games on Linux? explains Proton, anti-cheat and which Linux to pick for games.
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Ratings are reported by players at ProtonDB and anti-cheat status by Are We Anti-Cheat Yet. Both change, so follow the links below for today's picture.
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