I would be wary of this one for non-AI variants of user freedom concerns, including ability to customize the environment to suit oneself which is one reason that many use Linux over, say, MacOS. YMMV based on preference, but losing that freedom-in-practice is a pretty big step down in my book.

I didn't know about Redcore, looks like a pretty neat easy onboarding for the Gentoo madness. Thanks for the link.

Caveats about kernel slop apply, but regarding distro policy itself: Gentoo, or consider escaping to something like NetBSD.

Lunar

Seconding these on Sega CD. Great times.

You don't mention Saturn, but if you're an RPG guy I would add it just for Grandia.

Edit: And Dragon Force, and Panzer Dragoon Saga, and...