Bitburner

wow great game (im not posting just to flex my pc specs btw ;)

Warning ! I only recommend this game if you like programming and upgrade-and-restart games !! You will need to write code to solve algorithmic challenges. You will have to write code to spread script execution inside a network. This is a good way to learn or remember javascript or typescript language. Notice though that the framework functions and libraries are adapted to the game and would not work in real life :) Please notice that some of the bash functions in the game have the same name as real life ones but do not work the same. For example [spoiler]there is a tail command that shows the log of a script instead of the code of the script[/spoiler]

One of the most interesting rogue-type games I've played, where most of what you carry between playthroughs are tools you built and real skills you learned. The focus of the game also naturally changes as your scripts become more capable, allowing you to focus on other tasks, sidequests, advanced scripting, and (maybe one day) the "Main Story." It's just too bad it's in Javascript or else maybe I'd live to see 40. I'll be found dead before I vibecode my scripts though, and you can too!

This is really quite a cool little idea. If you're looking for an easy in the background idler, at least if you don't know how to code like me, then this game might frustrate you. If you are still in fact a pleb (like me), but you're interested in learning robot, then this is a great experience. One tip though if you are a pleebean like me, and really I mean this, use AI after the tutorial to help you learn. Notice I didn't say cheat. If you do that, then you loose that aspect of the game, but AI is almost a necessary tool if you have any hope of building understanding without a real class. It's not just a learning tool though I do feel the need to add on. You really feel like you can do things with the knowledge you build inside the game world. Learning how things work will truly open up that "role playing" door that so many games claim. It's just cool. You should try it if you have time and any amount of will.

I'm finding this entertaining and it's not full of AI

The beginner's guide is simple, but it hides challenges to be discovered. Fun, unexpected, fascinating. It isn't required to know the codes beforehand; however, I've found myself driven to learn them.

Bitburner is an exceptional programming game disguised as a cyberpunk hacking simulator. What begins as a simple terminal quickly transforms into a full JavaScript playground where you write real code to automate your criminal empire. My experience has been overwhelmingly positive — it's one of the most rewarding and educational incremental games you'll ever play. You start by manually typing commands like hack() and grow(), but the real magic happens when you write your first script. Suddenly, you're not just clicking buttons — you're engineering a self‑sustaining network of automated bots. Watching your scripts run across dozens of servers while you sleep is deeply satisfying. What sets Bitburner apart is its dedication to real programming. You write genuine JavaScript (or TypeScript) and deal with RAM limitations, execution times, and server topology. You'll naturally use loops, recursion, and async patterns as your attacks become more sophisticated. Beginners can learn coding fundamentals without installing any tools, while experienced developers will get lost in optimization puzzles like batching algorithms and distributed worker scripts. The game's structure revolves around BitNodes — parallel universes that reset most progress but grant permanent bonuses. This prestige system constantly challenges you to refine your code. Each BitNode introduces new mechanics: corporations, gangs, the stock market, or the eerie, shifting "darknet." The darknet, especially, tests your skills with password cracking, self‑replicating probes, and air‑gap traversal. Bitburner is completely free, open source, and has no ads or pay‑to‑win. It respects your time with fair offline progress and a helpful speed‑boost after breaks. The early game can be slow, and a few quirks exist, but they never overshadow the core experience. In the end, Bitburner is a love letter to automation and curiosity. It turns scripting into a power fantasy and rewards every bit of learning with real programming skills. Whether you're a seasoned developer or someone who's always wanted to try coding, this game will keep you up late, debugging with a grin. Highly recommended.

Pros: - had fun with computer code. - learned that javascript actually kept modernizing past when i last classically learned it. - questioned why i started implementing actual enterprise level development strategies and best practices in my coding strategy. Cons: - 4:42 AM 😴