In Ubuntu, will not work in the itch.io app, Fortunately, your app image file works from the terminal.
My main wish is that there were more hints. I hoped this game would teach me as much as it tests me.
When I download the file using a web browser, I can unzip it and it runs great. Very nice, I like it. I am happy with this.
However, just FYI, if I try to install it using the Itch app, the app keeps not recognizing the file as a linux program file. It only offers the Windows and Mac versions. I have seen this before. The Itch app seems to expect program files for each operating system to be a certain way. I am sure that is fully documented in the developers section of the Itch website. I have been meaning to look for this info for my own curiosity, but I have not gotten to it yet.
Good luck with your programming endeavors.