Info about A Game of Dwarves:

Official game description:
A Dwarven Prince on a quest to reclaim his people’s stolen land will take you on a great journey. Explore a continent filled with buried treasures and unearth mysteries that have laid hidden since the Great War. Take charge of your Dwarven settlement while mining, exploring and utilizing your resources with a combination of strategy and management.  
Order the inhabitants of a Dwarven settlement to dig, build and conduct research in order to strengthen the clan. Be careful though because you must defend your Dwarves from the terrible beasts that lie in the depths. A unique world is generated each time a new level starts, so you will need to dynamically adapt your strategies and tactics during each session.  
As you advance, the Dwarves will level up and gain new skills; progressing from weak dwarvlings to near immortal warriors or master craftsmen. There are also rare resources to be found deeper in the earth that grant access to better buildings and equipment. However, the deeper you dig the more dangerous foes you might unleash…
Key Features:
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*   Explore – The randomly generated maps offer replayability while also providing a sense of exploration  
*   Build – customize your settlement with not only practical constructions, but beautiful ones too! Build objects you think look great, while still gaining progress. Home is where the art is.  
*   Command – With an intuitive order system the player can easily control oodles of dwarves simultaneously without the need for extensive micro management  
*   A 13 level, story driven campaign  
*   Custom game mode: Create a world without enemies so you can build uninterrupted or spawn lots of them to increase the challenge

Release date: Oct 23, 2012

Categories: Colony Simulation, Base Building, Dwarf Management, Resource Gathering, Management Simulation, Procedural Generation, Sandbox

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 35; verdict: Standard Cosmetic Monetization; summary: The reviews confirm that A Game of Dwarves has a real-money in-game shop selling cosmetic decorations and furniture packs, alongside multiple DLC add-ons. The purchases are consistently described as cosmetic and ignorable, with no evidence of pay-to-win, loot boxes, gacha, or paid convenience mechanics. Some users report overpriced furniture and removal of purchased shop items, and others criticize the DLC as cash-grab content, but these issues do not rise to predatory monetization. Overall, the game fits the Standard cosmetic-shop tier.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $4.99 - $9.99
  - Reasoning: The reviews are split: some explicitly accept the current $9.99 price and say it is worth it, while others call $10 too expensive for an old, unfinished game and recommend waiting for a sale. Sale-focused comments suggest the community's comfortable value point is lower, but the positive full-price comments keep the upper bound near the current price. Therefore, the fair base-game range is roughly $5 to $10, with stronger value consensus on the lower half.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 50.0h
  - Story completion: 10.0h
  - Session length: 2.0h
  - Endgame: 1.0h
  - Reasoning: The 50-hour quote gives a reported overall playtime for the target game, supporting gameCompletion around 50 hours. The 10-hour quote explicitly describes doing all missions in one playthrough, supporting storyCompletion around 10 hours. The 2-hour mission quote indicates typical gameplay sessions or mission chunks of about 2 hours, so sessionLength is set to 2. The post-main-quest quote states playing another hour after completing the main quest, supporting endgame around 1 hour.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: A Game of Dwarves has a slow opening and early friction, but some players report it becomes addictive once they grow accustomed to its simple systems. Other reports say the fun fades after a point or never hooks them, so the profile is mixed.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Becoming accustomed to the game's systems
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Slow early game on new levels because dwarves are too weak to push the story or discover enemy rooms.; Long, boring missions that can last around 2 hours and may require mining out half the map to find objectives.; Broken tutorial and bugs.; Repetitive campaign loop and lack of true challenges.; Casual design with no real resource management or logistics.; Initial adjustment period; it takes a tiny while to get used to.
  - Unlock drivers: Becoming accustomed to the game's systems after an initial adjustment period turns it into a quite addictive experience.
  - Conditions: Casual design with no real resource management or logistics affects enjoyment.; Repetitive campaign and lack of true challenges affect long-term enjoyment.; Starting a new level underpowered makes the early game slow.; Relaxed pacing and cute graphics help players enjoy digging and building settlements.; Long missions and the need to mine out half the map can delay enjoyment.; Broken tutorial and bugs can delay enjoyment.; The game may be boring if the player is not interested in this style.; Simplicity can either make the game addictive or leave different players unhooked.
- Player Archetypes:
  - Casual Sandbox Tinkerer (sale)
    - Motivation: To relax and freely build and dig a dwarven underground town at their own unhurried pace.
    - Playstyle: Casual dollhouse/sandbox tinkering, loosely directing AI dwarves, frequently multitasking with a show in the background.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Minecraft
  - Dungeon-Sim Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: To satisfy a dungeon-management and dwarven colony-sim itch similar to genre classics, in a more accessible form.
    - Playstyle: Commanding dwarves to dig and build a thriving fortress kingdom in 3D management fashion.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: hardcore Dungeon Keeper fans
    - Reference games: Dungeon Keeper; Dwarf Fortress; Gnomoria
  - Bug-Averse Quality Sceptic (no buy)
    - Motivation: To play a technically stable, smoothly performing builder/management game without bugs or camera problems.
    - Playstyle: Attempts standard management and building play but is repeatedly frustrated by bugs, performance drops and awkward 3D navigation.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Underground digging and building (weight 0.31): A key activity is digging tunnels and building underground rooms for dwarves. Players enjoy constructing vast caverns and fortresses.
- Charming and entertaining game (weight 0.22): Reviewers frequently describe the game as charming and fun to play. It provides a pleasant and entertaining experience overall.
- Cute and simple building (weight 0.21): The game features cute graphics and simple block-building mechanics. It is often described as a fun and accessible builder.
- Fun but with potential (weight 0.19): Some reviewers say the game can be somewhat fun and has potential. However, the fun factor may not be fully realized for everyone.
- Relaxing casual experience (weight 0.14): Players find it a nice casual game to relax with. It offers a good way to unwind and enjoy casually.
- Addictive gameplay (weight 0.1): The game is often described as addictive and deceptively so. It keeps players engaged for extended periods.
- Enjoyable campaign mode (weight 0.1): The campaign is generally considered a lot of fun. Some note it is fun initially, but overall it is a positive aspect.
- Sandbox mode appreciated (weight 0.1): The sandbox mode allows building and digging without constant attacks. Players enjoy the freedom to create without distractions.
- Dwarf-themed story and setting (weight 0.1): The game features a campaign where dwarves seek to reclaim their land. Players control a dwarf prince and his group.
- Generally positive reception (weight 0.1): Many reviewers consider it a good game, not bad at all. It is often described as actually quite good.
- Similar to classic games (weight 0.1): The game is often compared to Dungeon Keeper and Lego Rock Raiders. It is likely enjoyable for fans of Dwarf Fortress and similar titles.

Common complaints:
- Frequent bugs and instability (weight 0.34): Players widely report numerous bugs, with some describing the game as incredibly buggy or riddled with bugs. These issues often make the game feel unstable or even unplayable.
- Game appears unfinished (weight 0.22): Reviewers frequently state the game is unfinished, bugged, or abandoned. This perception is reinforced by the lack of expected fixes and support.
- Game feels unpolished (weight 0.18): Many users feel the game is unpolished, slap-dash, or poorly finished, with rough edges throughout. This lack of polish contributes to a negative overall impression.
- Weaker than Dungeon Keeper (weight 0.18): Several players compare the game unfavorably to Dungeon Keeper, noting it lacks charm, fun, and the pick-up-and-play appeal of the classic. It is seen as lackluster in comparison.
- Dated and ugly graphics (weight 0.18): The graphics are often described as dated, ugly, or not great. This visual shortcoming detracts from the overall experience for many players.
- Boring and repetitive missions (weight 0.18): Missions are often described as boring, monotonous, and repetitive. The gameplay loop lacks variety, making the story mode a chore.
- Removed paid DLC items (weight 0.14): Players report that items purchased with real money, such as gold trees and deco items, were removed along with the in-game shop. This has caused frustration and a sense of loss among paying customers.
- Traps are worthless (weight 0.14): Players find the trap system useless, as traps become affordable only after fighters are already leveled. This makes traps a wasted feature.
- Broken Steam achievements (weight 0.1): Some Steam achievements are permanently broken due to level bugs, preventing players from earning full credit. This issue affects completionists and achievement hunters.
- Dwarves stumble on staircases (weight 0.1): Dwarves frequently have problems climbing staircases, sometimes falling through them repeatedly. This pathfinding issue hampers gameplay and adds frustration.
- Dwarves behave unpredictably (weight 0.1): Dwarves often act as if blindfolded, not doing what they are told and behaving erratically. This unpredictability makes management difficult.
- Game becomes dull over time (weight 0.1): Many players find the game gets dull and really boring after some time. The initial fun wears off, leaving little to keep players engaged.
- Falling animation unfinished (weight 0.1): When falling down tunnels, dwarves use only one animation, leading to repeated falling animations and standing up mid-air. This makes falls look broken and unfinished.
- Unclear object rotation controls (weight 0.1): The controls for rotating objects are unclear and not intuitive, with some players resorting to internet searches to figure them out. This lack of explanation hinders building and customization.

Gameplay feedback:
- Colony management and dwarf happiness (weight 0.39): Players manage a dwarven colony, keeping dwarves happy, safe, well fed, and well rested. The core loop involves base-building and overseeing a small group of dwarves.
- Digging tunnels and underground construction (weight 0.31): Digging is a central activity where players excavate tunnels up, down, and in all directions. Players dig through the earth, encounter obstacles, and build underground cities.
- Resource gathering and mining (weight 0.3): Players dig for resources such as gold, minerals, and food. Mining out areas around the settlement is a key activity.
- Dwarven theme and campaign (weight 0.28): The game features dwarves in a campaign mode where they seek to reclaim land from evil magi. It is a dwarf digging strategy game.
- Dwarf Fortress inspired gameplay (weight 0.28): The game is often described as a simplified version of Dwarf Fortress and similar dungeon management games. Some call it a casual dwarf management game or a 3D clone of Dwarf Fortress.
- Randomly generated underground with monsters (weight 0.22): Players mine and build in randomly generated underground areas and fight monsters. They uncover caverns containing monsters and possible treasures, then dig down, discover caverns, kill monsters, and repeat.
- Military dwarves and combat (weight 0.18): Dwarven warriors have leveling and variety. Military dwarves fight enemies and bosses, and they can be attacked and flee.
- Building dwarven cities and strongholds (weight 0.17): Players can build dwarven cities and strongholds, both underground and above ground.
- Traps and decorations (weight 0.16): Traps and decorations are part of the game. The trap system is available and traps are a gameplay element.
- Building and placement mechanics (weight 0.14): Building and placing objects is a core mechanic. Players move and place objects to construct their base.
- Progression by digging deeper (weight 0.14): Progressing deeper into the ground involves digging further down. Digging deeper is a primary means of advancement.
- Dwarf survival needs (weight 0.1): Dwarves can die from hunger or sleep deprivation. They need to eat and rest frequently and die if food and beds are too far away.
- Defending settlement and training armies (weight 0.1): Players defend their settlement from enemies by building trap defenses and training armies.
- Exploration with battle dwarves (weight 0.1): When exploring, players should bring a battle-experienced dwarf. Exploring with dwarves is a key mechanic.
- Sandbox free building mode (weight 0.1): A sandbox free mode is available for building freely without constraints.
- Levels and progression (weight 0.09): The game has multiple levels, with the first three levels specifically mentioned. Progression through levels is a feature.
- Block building simulator (weight 0.09): The game is described as a block building simulator or block building game, emphasizing construction with blocks.

Performance notes:
- Performance Degradation Over Time (weight 0.25): As bases grow, population increases, or maps become large, the game slows down significantly, sometimes becoming unplayable. This affects both sandbox and normal modes.
- Frequent Crashes Reported (weight 0.22): Players experience crashes at various points, including during gameplay, start of new games, and as they progress. This is a widespread issue.
- Optimization and Hardware Demands (weight 0.21): Players find the game poorly optimized and demanding on system resources, with issues like overheating and graphic bugs. Some report it runs okay on modern PCs.
- Memory Issues (weight 0.1): The game consumes excessive memory and suffers from memory leaks, leading to performance problems over time.

Recommendations:
- Worth current price (weight 0.41): Several reviewers find the game worth its current price, especially when purchased on sale. They consider it a good value for the cost.
- Recommended overall (weight 0.4): Many reviewers recommend the game, often with qualifications. They suggest it is enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- Not worth buying (weight 0.37): Many reviewers strongly advise against purchasing the game, stating it is not worth any money or time. They recommend saving money and avoiding the game entirely.
- Buy on sale (weight 0.33): Reviewers recommend purchasing the game only during a sale. At full price, many feel it is not worth the cost.
- Not as deep as Dwarf Fortress (weight 0.24): Reviewers warn that the game lacks the depth of Dwarf Fortress or Dungeon Keeper. Those expecting similar complexity will be disappointed.
- Recommended for Dwarf Fortress fans (weight 0.24): Fans of Dwarf Fortress and Dungeon Keeper are likely to enjoy this game. It appeals to those who appreciate similar mechanics.
- Better alternatives exist (weight 0.24): Reviewers suggest other games like Dwarf Fortress, Minecraft, or Terraria offer superior experiences. They recommend those instead.
- Good for mining and building (weight 0.23): Players who enjoy mining, digging, and base-building will find this game enjoyable. It caters to those who like constructing underground colonies.
- Casual and relaxing (weight 0.2): The game is best enjoyed as a relaxed sandbox or dollhouse experience. It suits players who want to unwind and build without pressure.
- Not for strategy veterans (weight 0.17): Experienced strategy players may find the game too shallow. It lacks the complexity and challenge they seek.
- Avoid due to bugs (weight 0.1): Some reviewers report bugs and consider the game broken, advising against purchase even on sale. Technical issues detract from the experience.
- Fun for dwarf enthusiasts (weight 0.1): Players who love dwarves and digging will enjoy the game despite its flaws. It offers a dwarf-themed experience.
- Qualified recommendation (weight 0.1): Reviewers give a thumbs up but with reservations. They recommend it only under certain conditions.
- Disappointing experience (weight 0.09): Some players feel the game is not worth the effort and leaves them wanting. They express disappointment.
- Cheap but flawed (weight 0.09): Even at a low price, the game has issues. Some feel it is only worth a few dollars.
- Good for beginners (weight 0.06): The game is ideal for those new to strategy or management games. It offers an accessible entry point.
- Good for children (weight 0.05): Some reviewers recommend the game for children or those who want a simple building experience. It is not intellectually demanding.
- Fun for a while (weight 0.05): Crafting game fans may enjoy it temporarily. It provides some entertainment but lacks longevity.
- Hidden DLC issue (weight 0.05): One reviewer warns about hidden DLCs, which they consider a negative aspect. This practice is not appreciated.

Other player notes:
- Excessive DLC and monetization (weight 0.54): The game has numerous DLCs and an in-game shop, leading to criticism of cash grab tactics. Some DLC content is seen as overpriced or should have been in the base game.
- Dungeon Keeper comparisons frequent (weight 0.51): Many reviewers compare the game to Dungeon Keeper, often unfavorably, noting it doesn't quite reach the classic's quality. Some appreciate new ideas but feel it falls short.
- Dwarf Fortress depth lacking (weight 0.45): Reviewers frequently compare to Dwarf Fortress, finding the game much less complex and empty in comparison. Some hoped for a 3D Dwarf Fortress but were disappointed.
- Abandoned development and support (weight 0.4): Multiple reviews mention the game was abandoned by developers, with no patches or support. The developer Zeal no longer exists, leaving bugs unfixed.
- Low price point praised (weight 0.3): Many reviewers note the game is inexpensive and affordable, often priced around $10. It is considered worth the price, especially on sale.
- Unfinished and rushed product (weight 0.28): Reviewers describe the game as clearly unfinished, rushed, and lacking balancing. Some feel it was pushed to 1.0 for financial reasons without proper completion.
- Old age and high price (weight 0.25): Some reviewers criticize the game's age (released in 2012) and inflated price for an old title. It is seen as lingering on Steam to profit from abandonware.
- In-game shop cosmetic items (weight 0.23): The in-game shop primarily offers cosmetic items that are optional and not necessary to purchase. Some items are free, and the packs are generally inexpensive.
- Compared to Minecraft and others (weight 0.23): The game is often compared to Minecraft, with some noting a similar feel but simpler building. Comparisons to Gnomoria, Towns, and other dwarf-themed games are also common.
- Positive gameplay aspects noted (weight 0.22): Reviewers mention replay value due to map size, buildable objects, and a lot to do. The game runs smoothly and has potential.
- Campaign resets and long missions (weight 0.13): The campaign resets base and progress each new country, and missions take a long time to complete. This design choice frustrates some players.
- Silly tone and mismatched audio (weight 0.09): The campaign has a silly tone, and voice clips do not match the dialog. This adds to the game's casual and sometimes comedic atmosphere.
- No Chinese language support (weight 0.08): The game lacks Chinese language support, which may deter some players. However, it is playable without understanding English.
- Cult classic preservation needed (weight 0.08): One reviewer considers the game a cult classic that needs preservation. It is also described as a niche project.
- Modding hindered by engine (weight 0.05): The engine used by developers killed modding and content sharing, limiting community engagement and longevity.
- Achievement bug unfixed (weight 0.05): A known achievement bug will never be fixed because the developer no longer exists. Paradox is aware but no further development will occur.
- Pop culture references in resources (weight 0.05): Some resources are named after pop culture references, like 'dragonforce'. This adds a quirky element but is a minor detail.
- No autosave feature (weight 0.05): The game lacks an autosave feature, which can be inconvenient for players. This is a minor but notable omission.
- Narrow sandbox map limits (weight 0.05): Sandbox map limits are narrow, restricting creative freedom. This limitation is mentioned by some players.
- Refund requested by reviewer (weight 0.05): At least one reviewer requested a refund, indicating significant dissatisfaction. This reflects the game's mixed reception.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.24): Players are disappointed because the game is unfinished, buggy, and abandoned by developers, with significant performance issues and crashes. It fails to live up to expectations set by similar games like Dungeon Keeper, offering shallow systems, repetitive missions, and lack of polish. Many feel it squanders its potential and never received necessary fixes or content.
- Frustration (weight 0.19): Frustration stems from numerous bugs, crashes, and poor performance that often make the game unplayable. Players struggle with unintuitive controls, terrible pathfinding, and a lack of clear explanations, leading to lost progress and tedious gameplay. Repetitive missions and missing updates exacerbate the irritation.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players enjoy the game's cute resource management and city-building aspects, finding it fun and addictive. The deeper progression, sandbox mode, and charming dwarven theme provide hours of entertainment. Building and exploring the underground settlement is a key source of enjoyment.
- Boredom (weight 0.05): Boredom arises from repetitive and easy gameplay that lacks thrill, with missions becoming long and dull. The implementation feels uninspiring, and mechanics like teleporting trivialize threats, making the experience monotonous over time.
- Annoyance (weight 0.04): Annoyance is caused by minor but persistent issues such as the game auto-pausing and requiring space bar mashing, as well as cumbersome block-filling mechanics. Bugs like dwarves falling through staircases and not using furniture add to the irritation.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Satisfaction comes from managing a dwarf horde, building elaborate structures, and completing objectives. The game meets expectations for those who waited for a title like this, providing a sense of accomplishment in construction and management.
- Fun (weight 0.03): Fun is derived from treasure hunting, kingdom management, and building vast underground caverns. Once familiar with mechanics, players enjoy creating interesting areas and utilizing unique dwelver mechanics and traps.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players love the game for its core activities like digging tunnels and setting up dwarven rooms. The game is crafted with evident passion, and many express deep affection for it, enjoying it immensely.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is felt from witnessing the dwarven colony's progress and dominating the map, as well as from years of playing. The game provides a blast of enjoyable experiences that keep players coming back.
- Addiction (weight 0.02): Addiction is driven by the charming and horrendously addictive gameplay loop of constant digging and block clearing. Players lose track of time as they become absorbed in expanding their underground settlements.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is provoked by cash grab monetization and the removal of in-game shop items, as well as frustrating mission failures due to AI issues. The half-coded ending and rushed writing further infuriate players.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Amusement is found in the humorous dialogues between father and son, the funny storyline with dry humor, and the overall upbeat and comedic tone of the game.
- Charm (weight 0.02): The game's charm comes from its cute builder aesthetics, awkward sliding animations that become endearing, and an adorable overall presentation with a silly story.
- Disinterest (weight 0.01): Disinterest results from a slow pace that fails to hook players within the first hour, with no sense of progress or engaging elements to maintain attention.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): Relaxation is achieved through extremely chill building and digging gameplay, coupled with a calm and pleasant atmosphere that allows players to unwind.
- Mild annoyance (weight 0.01): Mild annoyance is caused by interruptions from conversations between King and Prince during building actions, as well as odd voice acting and scattered resources.
- Warning (weight 0.01): Players warn that expecting depth similar to Dungeon Keeper or Dwarf Fortress will lead to quick disappointment, as the game does not match those standards.
- Outrage (weight 0.01): Outrage is sparked by the removal of items bought with real money when the in-game shop was taken down, leaving players feeling cheated.
- Fear (weight 0.01): Fear exists that the game will become lost due to DRM decay when Steam eventually stops supporting it, rendering it unplayable.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Affection is shown by players who always return to the game, indicating a lasting emotional connection and fondness for the experience.}