8 fun interactive games to help you learn Linux faster

Learning Linux can be intimidating, especially if you're new to the terminal and don't know where to start. But it doesn't have to be a boring process. In fact, it can be incredibly fun. Here are some incredibly engaging, interactive games designed to help you learn Linux while having fun.

 

1. Cmdchallenge

cmdchallenge is a simple yet clever online game that presents you with one-line Linux challenges and asks you to solve them using command line instructions. There's no need to set up any virtual machines or systems; you can quickly test your Linux knowledge right in your browser.

With cmdchallenge, you not only learn individual commands, but also discover how they work together to solve problems you'll encounter in a real Linux environment. Furthermore, the same site offers two different versions of the game. One version limits you to only the built-in shell commands, while the other introduces both beginner and advanced command-line tasks with helpful examples.

 

2. Terminus

Terminus is a terminal-based role-playing adventure game where you explore a mysterious virtual world using Linux commands. Created by the MIT Game Lab, the game puts you in a fantasy world where you have to navigate, interact with objects and solve puzzles using commands like ls, cd, cat, etc.

For example, the game includes many different locations and items. To display the locations and available items, you use the ls command. From the right-hand graphical location, you can navigate to any area using the cd command . To examine or interact with items, you use the less command.

3. Bashcrawl

Bashcrawl is another adventure game, like Terminus, where you navigate using Linux commands. However, bashcrawl is entirely text-based. In this game, folders are rooms, files are scrolls or monsters, and commands are your actions.

 

To download the game, you have two options: Download from the GitLab repository or try it online via Jupyter Notebook. For smoother gameplay, it is better to download and run it locally, as the online versions can sometimes lag or lose connection.

4. Bandit (OverTheWire)

Bandit is a text-based wargame that guides you through increasingly complex Linux tasks. You start with the basics, like logging into a server using SSH , and gradually move on to more advanced challenges involving file manipulation, permissions, and coding.

Bandit is perfect for beginners. It provides a structured, logical path to help you build your skills from the ground up. It's a great place to start to get familiar with the command line and the hacker mindset.

5. Vim Adventures

Vim is powerful, but it takes a while to get used to due to its heavy reliance on commands. Luckily, Vim Adventures turns that drawback into an enjoyable ride.

You play as a blinking cursor in a text world. You can only move around using Vim's arrow keys (h, j, k, l). You'll meet characters who teach you new commands, find keys to unlock abilities like deleting or inserting text, and solve puzzles that require skillful text editing.

 

You can play the basic version for free in your browser. A paid license will unlock additional challenges that will help you build muscle memory and improve your skills.

6. War games on Root Me

Root Me is a reputable cybersecurity training platform that hosts a variety of challenges, including war games. These challenges go beyond just capturing the flag hacks and include real-life Linux-based scenarios that help you hone your skills in real-world scenarios.

You will tackle practical tasks like privilege escalation, reverse shell, and file investigation, all of which require solid knowledge of Linux.

7. Linux Journey Tests

Sometimes learning by doing isn't enough - you need theory too. Linux Journey offers bite-sized lessons with built-in quizzes to test your knowledge. It's not technically a game, but it certainly makes learning a fun challenge.

Each topic is broken down into easy-to-understand lessons. At the end of each section, there is a quiz. These are not just multiple choice questions; you often need to enter the correct command to solve a given problem.

Furthermore, it covers everything from basic command line usage to advanced topics like networking, system administration, and DevOps principles.

8. Clmystery

Clmystery presents a murder mystery that you can solve only using Linux command line tools. You will use commands like grep to search files, snipped and sorted to organize data, and head and tail to examine log entries.

The game's tutorial will tell you what to look for, but it's up to you to create the right commands. It also includes a built-in Linux command prompt that's full of useful commands and clearly explained.

The techniques you learn while solving this mystery are the same techniques system administrators use to troubleshoot, analyze performance, and investigate security incidents.