I usually check the proton DB website, to read the comments and see what people do to fix games and software.

Just recently I used it to get old CAD software to run, had to lower the proton version to 6 or something and it worked.

I have been able to play most games fine on Linux mint.

If he plays Minecraft bedrock he can use “Minecraft bedrock launcher” which loads the android version (if you own it on the play store). Minecraft Java works find on Linux, but I prefer bedrock to use a controller.

Some PC games I play in “bottles” which lets you run windows programs.

I also have “heroic games launcher” that lets me play epic games, gog games and Amazon games.

I run mint on a ideapad flex and it’s been great. Touch screen works, speakers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, gaming, etc all good. I got the laptop cheap with a broken screen, I replaced the screen and added a bigger NVMe and it’s been great.