I’m not 100% sure if this meets any of your requirements but I always enjoyed homeworld can’t remember if I’ve ever run it on Linux since switching tho.
As to the other requirements, I don’t think I found it that easy to get into as it took a while to get into the whole 3D map thing, and the graphics may have aged
I also I noticed I have
–skip-launcher
In the box for launch options in steam.
I don’t have dotnet 6 installed either and running straight from Heroic fails every time. When added thru the steam client it works.
I installed with heroic Add non steam game Highlight bg3.exe or maybe dx version can’t remember now from bin directory “not launcher” Run with proton 8.0.3 I think Crashed first time but fine since
Software wise, anything without a demo. The support from companies is dire at the best of times and if something doesn’t work on your system your screwed. In shops you can test the suitability of something by testing it (sitting on a couch, laying on a bed) but with software they take your money and run.
Also anything abandoned is fair game.
I would love Elden Ring, but so would many of the others…
Optional. What fills me with hope is knowing there are still people like the OP who are willing to giveaway to those of us who missed so many good games.
Merry xmas