Dwarf Fortress
Last updated: 2025-04-14
- Deep, complex, highly replayable colony/world simulator.
- Vast sandbox with unparalleled creative freedom.
- Detailed dwarf simulation with unique personalities.
- Emergent storytelling creates unique narratives.
- Very steep, unintuitive learning curve.
- Frequent crashes and game-breaking bugs.
- Reviews
(sample size) - 2000
- Helpful reviews
- 59%
- Unhelpful reviews
- 41%
- Protest reviews
- 0%
- 89%Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
- 11%Helpful reviews with negative sentiment
- Positive points
- 2229
- Negative points
- 1506
- Gameplay points
- 468
- Perf. points
- 45
- Rec. points
- 769
- Misc points
- 193
| Point | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Deep, complex, and highly replayable | The game offers immense depth, complexity, and replayability, leading to emergent gameplay and unique, rewarding experiences. Players find themselves deeply engaged, losing track of time and constantly discovering new things, making it highly addictive and enjoyable. The game's intricate systems and attention to detail create a captivating and virtually endless experience. | 97% |
| Improved accessibility via Steam version | The Steam version significantly improves accessibility with enhanced graphics, mouse controls, and a more user-friendly interface compared to the original ASCII version. This makes the game easier to learn and understand, allowing players to focus on the game's depth and complexity. The updated visuals and UI provide a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for new players. | 48% |
| Vast sandbox with creative freedom | The game provides a vast sandbox environment with immense freedom and creative possibilities. Players can design intricate fortresses, engineer elaborate traps, and shape the world to their liking. The game rewards experimentation and allows for the creation of unique and personalized experiences. | 41% |
| Detailed dwarf simulation and personalities | The game features a detailed simulation of individual dwarves with unique personalities, emotions, and backstories, creating more interesting and engaging stories than typical colony sims. Managing their needs and observing their interactions adds depth to the gameplay, fostering a connection between the player and their dwarven community. | 35% |
| Emergent storytelling and unique narratives | The game excels at generating emergent narratives through the interactions of characters and events within the procedurally generated world. Unpredictable events and complex systems lead to unique and memorable stories, making each playthrough a distinct and engaging experience. These stories often involve tragic, hilarious, and unexpected outcomes. | 33% |
| Unparalleled depth of simulation | The game's depth of simulation is unparalleled, with minute details and complex systems that create a living, breathing world. This level of detail extends to individual attributes, realistic behaviors, and emergent events, making the game a truly unique and immersive experience. | 30% |
| "Losing is fun" learning experience | The game embraces the concept of "Losing is Fun," turning failures into learning experiences and motivating players to try again with new knowledge. The game's complexity is a draw, and overcoming challenges through trial and error provides a sense of accomplishment. The game is about creating your own story through both successes and failures. | 25% |
| Surprisingly good and immersive soundtrack | The game features a surprisingly good soundtrack that enhances the emotional impact and overall atmosphere. The music is often compared to Minecraft's relaxing acoustic style, adding to the game's immersive qualities. The soundtrack is considered an essential part of the game experience. | 9% |
| Continuous updates and developer dedication | The developers have been consistently updating the game for over 20 years, adding new content, patching bugs, and showing a dedication to their creation. This ongoing support and passion for the game are evident in its continuous improvement and expansion. | 9% |
| Well-executed pixel art graphics | The game's pixel art graphics are well-executed and contribute to the unique atmosphere, providing clarity while preserving the soul of the original. The visual style is often praised for its detail and artistic quality, making the game a "work of art in digital form." | 9% |
| DFHack improves quality of life | DFHack is a valuable tool that resolves performance issues, automates tedious tasks, and fixes bugs, significantly improving the game's quality of life. Its availability on Steam makes it easier to set up and use, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. | 8% |