How to Play It Takes Two on Linux With Steam Proton

You can play It Takes Two on Linux through Steam Play and Proton. Valve describes Proton in its Proton documentation as a compatibility tool for running Windows games on Linux. This is not a native Linux release: Steam lists Windows requirements, and results vary across desktop distributions, hardware, and graphics drivers. This guide uses the Steam edition.

What to know before you start

Install Steam from your distribution’s official software source or Valve’s download page, then sign in. Update your graphics driver using your distribution’s supported method; Proton depends on the system graphics stack. The Windows baseline on the Steam game page lists 8 GB of memory and 50 GB of storage, but it does not guarantee Linux performance.

It Takes Two requires two players. Choose local split-screen, invite someone online, or use Steam Remote Play Together. EA’s Friend’s Pass guide says a guest can join without owning the full game; both players can try the first chapter free, but one must own the full game to continue.

How to play It Takes Two on Linux

1. Install Steam and sign in

   Use your distribution’s supported Steam package or Valve’s download page. According to EA’s update for It Takes Two on Steam, the Steam edition no longer requires the EA App launcher. Let Steam update before changing compatibility settings.

2. Add the game or Friend’s Pass to your Steam Library

   Search the Steam Store for It Takes Two. Add the full game, or install the free Steam Friend’s Pass if you are joining an owner. Use the Steam version: EA’s instructions explain that the older EA App pass still opens through that launcher, while the newer Steam version supports Steam invitations.

   

3. Enable Proton for Windows games

   Open Steam > Settings > Compatibility. Enable Steam Play for supported titles and for other titles, then choose a Proton tool from the dropdown. This makes Proton available for the Windows-only game. Steam may download the tool or ask you to restart.

   

4. Set a compatibility tool for It Takes Two

   In your Library, right-click It Takes Two and select Properties > Compatibility. Check Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool, then choose an available Proton version. Start with Steam’s current stable option. If it fails, test another version; Experimental is a troubleshooting option, not a guarantee.

   

5. Install the game and wait for the download

   On the game’s Library page, select Install and choose a Steam library with enough free space. Steam currently lists 50 GB. Wait for the download to finish; check progress under Steam > Downloads.

   

   

6. Launch It Takes Two

   Select Play on the Library page. The first launch may take longer while Steam prepares Proton. Link an EA account if you want to play online through EA servers; local play and Remote Play Together have different requirements, explained below.

   

7. Choose how you and your friend will play

   For couch co-op, connect both controllers and choose local split-screen play. To play online, link your EA account to Steam when prompted and invite a friend through Steam. EA says local play and Steam Remote Play Together do not require an EA account; EA server play does. Invite a Friend’s Pass player from the game’s main menu.

   

   

8. Troubleshoot a launch that fails

   If Play returns to the Library, restart Steam and check for current graphics and Vulkan drivers. In Properties > Installed Files, select Verify integrity of game files using Steam’s file verification steps. Then test another Proton version and temporarily remove custom launch options. Results can vary by distribution and GPU; Steam Support’s Linux Steam Play guidance and Valve’s Proton documentation explain the compatibility layer and its limits.