If you grew up playing Worms Armageddon or Worms World Party, you know the specific joy of calculating a wind-affected bazooka shot to knock your friend’s worm into the water. For Linux users, this genre has historically been defined by two open-source titans: WarMux (formerly Wormux) and Hedgewars.
In late 2025, the landscape has solidified. While one game has become a polished, competitive engine, the other serves as a museum piece of Linux gaming history. In this engineering review, I tested both titles on my Fedora 43 KDE Plasma setup to see which one deserves a spot on your SSD.
Test Configuration & Environment
Hardware: MacBook Air (2017)
CPU: Intel Core i5-5350U
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 6000
OS: Fedora 43 KDE Plasma Desktop
Display Protocol: Wayland
Installation Method: KDE Discover (GUI)
Validation Date: December 2025
The Contender 1: WarMux (The Fallen Hero)
WarMux holds a special place in the hearts of long-time Linux users. Instead of generic worms, you fought with open-source mascots: Tux (Linux) firing rockets at Beastie (BSD), while Firefox threw grenades at Wilber (GIMP).
The Vibe: Casual, arcade-like, and charmingly slow-paced. The physics were “floaty,” making it easier for beginners to land hits without precise calculation.
The Status in 2025: Legacy. The project hasn’t seen active development since 2011, but thanks to the magic of Flatpak, it is archived and playable on modern systems.
Why play it? Pure nostalgia. It is a time capsule of the open-source culture from the early 2000s.
Verdict: Fun for a quick 10-minute match, but lacks the depth for serious gaming.
The Contender 2: Hedgewars (The Modern King)
Hedgewars started as a clone but evolved into a beast of its own. It features pink hedgehogs with high-pitched voices and an arsenal of weapons that puts the original Worms games to shame.
The Vibe: Chaotic, high-precision, and deeply customizable.
The Engine: Written in Free Pascal and C++, the physics engine is deterministic. On my MacBook Air 2017, despite the older hardware, the game ran buttery smooth at 60 FPS via KDE Discover.
The Status in 2025: Active. It receives updates, has a lively community, and supports online play.
Verdict: The undisputed king of open-source artillery games.
Technical Showdown: Physics & Gameplay
Why does Hedgewars win from an engineering perspective?
1. The Physics Engine
WarMux: Uses a simplified 2D physics model. Projectiles follow predictable arcs, but movement can feel stiff.
Hedgewars: Uses complex momentum calculations. The “Ninja Rope” tool is a prime example—it allows players to perform acrobatic swings across the entire map, gaining velocity that feels distinct and rewarding to master.
2. Customization (The “Lua” Factor)
Hedgewars supports Lua scripting. This isn’t just about changing health values; the community has created entirely new game modes:
Basketball: Use the baseball bat to knock hedgehogs into hoops.
Construction Mode: Build fortresses before the battle starts.
3. Weapon Variety
While WarMux covers the basics (Bazooka, Dynamite), Hedgewars embraces insanity:
Piano Strike: Drops a literal piano from the sky.
Seduction: A hedgehog uses charm to attract enemy units before exploding.
Watermelon Bomb: A cluster bomb that bounces erratically.
How to Install (The Easy Way)
Gone are the days of compiling code or memorizing terminal commands. Whether you are using Fedora, Ubuntu, elementary OS, or Manjaro, installing these games is as easy as installing an app on your phone.
We will use your system’s built-in software store (App Store).
For KDE Users (Fedora KDE, Kubuntu, SteamOS)
Open Discover (your blue shopping bag icon).
Click the search bar and type “Hedgewars”.
Click Install.
Repeat the process for “WarMux”.
For GNOME Users (Ubuntu, Fedora Workstation, Pop!_OS)
Open GNOME Software (often just called “Software”).
Click the search icon (magnifying glass).
Type “Hedgewars”.
Click the blue Install button.
Can’t Find WarMux?
If WarMux doesn’t show up in your search results, it’s likely because your software store isn’t configured to search Flathub, the universal app store where WarMux is archived.
Don’t worry, this is a one-time setup. Check out our dedicated guides to unlock thousands of apps:
How to Play Online
Hedgewars is best played with friends. The game includes a built-in lobby system, so you don’t need to mess with IP addresses.
Launch Hedgewars.
Click “Network Game”.
Create a nickname and join the “Official Server”.
Look for a room and jump in!
Note for Fedora Users: If you host a game and friends can’t join, check your firewall settings. But for joining existing games, it works out of the box.
The battle of the clones is decided. Hedgewars is the superior game in every technical metric—physics, content, and maintenance. However, it is fantastic that modern Linux stores like Discover allow us to easily install WarMux and revisit a classic with a single click.
Testing on my Fedora 43 KDE setup proved that Linux gaming in 2025 is accessible, stable, and fun—no terminal required.
Final Score:
WarMux: 4/10 (Great for nostalgia, easily installed via Store)
Hedgewars: 9/10 (The definitive artillery experience)
Have you managed to master the Hedgewars rope? Share your best replay in the comments below! 👇
Disclaimer: WarMux is legacy software. While perfectly safe to run, do not expect new updates.