Dwarf Fortress

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 237 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 201 out of 237
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 237
  3. Negative: 27 out of 237

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  1. apokalipto
    Aug 22, 2023
    9
    Very good game. I enjoyed playing this game a lot. I strongly recommend this.
  2. angmarec
    Aug 7, 2023
    10
    Great game. With incredible possibilities. Pixel art sprites from steam version are great. Some systems are bit confusing, but it is normal for game of such kind and possibilities. Real masterpiece.
  3. alfredbaudisch
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    Insanely complex, insanely rewarding, insanely !!FUN!!. I always wanted to play DF, but I always had a lot of trouble with the classic interface and classic text graphics - I'd rage quit out of frustration. Now with the Steam release, I can't stop playing and thinking about Dwarf Fortress 24/7. AND, I am even able to play with the ASCII graphics now, due to understanding the game.Insanely complex, insanely rewarding, insanely !!FUN!!. I always wanted to play DF, but I always had a lot of trouble with the classic interface and classic text graphics - I'd rage quit out of frustration. Now with the Steam release, I can't stop playing and thinking about Dwarf Fortress 24/7. AND, I am even able to play with the ASCII graphics now, due to understanding the game. Sometimes I even prefer the ASCII graphics due to readability in some busy scenes!… Expand
  4. TioThorg
    Jun 5, 2023
    10
    Complicated, fun and full of surprises. This game is one of the best settlement management sims out there. Each dwarf has a history, tastes and way of life. Even the most peaceful gameplay can become chaos in a instant. Not for everyone, thou.
  5. danielpsilva
    Apr 1, 2023
    10
    Incredible rich, complex and involving sandbox/simulation game that got me instantly hooked!
  6. Yasimani
    Mar 20, 2023
    9
    One of the most ingenious games of all time, but a little complicated. Anyway I had a lot of fun.
  7. grillonbleu
    Mar 2, 2023
    10
    Dwarf Fortress is a seminal work. Fair warning: at the time of writing this, it still is affected by numerous bugs, some lingering in the code base since many years. And the UI feels insufficient. And despite the graphics overhaul that come with the Steam version, it still doesn’t look like much.

    But despite all this, Dwarf Fortress is undeniably a 10 for the breadth and the wealth and    Dwarf Fortress is a seminal work. Fair warning: at the time of writing this, it still is affected by numerous bugs, some lingering in the code base since many years. And the UI feels insufficient. And despite the graphics overhaul that come with the Steam version, it still doesn’t look like much.

    But despite all this, Dwarf Fortress is undeniably a 10 for the breadth and the wealth and the depth it offers. There is so much to learn, so much to do, so many details. It’s fascinating.    … Expand
  8. Koteevich
    Feb 25, 2023
    10
    Common! It`s Dwarf Fortress!

    ЇLUN KINEM! AAAAAAAAAGH!!! UB BEL DURAD DËNUSH TASHEM AR AMUR WOWOWOWOWO WO WOW OWOWOW LOCUN URDIM ONOL IGËR DUCIM AR SEBSUR WOWOWO WOW OW WOW OW OW WOOOOO MATUL ÓDAD EVON SHEDIM ZOZ LÊGAN NOVAL WOWOWO WOWO WOOWOW WO WO W OW LEGON VÚSH LAM RATH THOL UMOM ÄS SIRAB GATAL WOOW OWO WO O WO WOOWO WO WO WO WOOO UB BEL DURAD DËNUSH    Common! It`s Dwarf Fortress!

    ЇLUN KINEM! AAAAAAAAAGH!!!

    UB BEL DURAD DËNUSH TASHEM AR AMUR

    WOWOWOWOWO WO WOW OWOWOW

    LOCUN URDIM ONOL IGËR DUCIM AR SEBSUR

    WOWOWO WOW OW WOW OW OW WOOOOO

    MATUL ÓDAD EVON SHEDIM ZOZ LÊGAN NOVAL

    WOWOWO WOWO WOOWOW WO WO W OW

    LEGON VÚSH LAM RATH THOL UMOM ÄS SIRAB GATAL

    WOOW OWO WO O WO WOOWO WO WO WO WOOO

    UB BEL DURAD DËNUSH TASHEM AR AMUR

    WOWOWO WOOW O WO W OW OOWO W OW

    LOCUN URDIM ONOL IGËR DUCIM AR SEBSUR

    O AKH!    … Expand
  9. VladZelensky
    Feb 23, 2023
    10
    Найкраще, чого можна бажати від ігор. Можна отримати багату на ресурси і гноми землю, нав'язати їм смішну ідеологію і кинути воювати проти орків з мордора задля збагачення племені довжиноносового до якого ти належиш. Тільки проїбаючи понад п'ятсот тисяч гномів, розумієш, що живеш! תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָםНайкраще, чого можна бажати від ігор. Можна отримати багату на ресурси і гноми землю, нав'язати їм смішну ідеологію і кинути воювати проти орків з мордора задля збагачення племені довжиноносового до якого ти належиш. Тільки проїбаючи понад п'ятсот тисяч гномів, розумієш, що живеш! תִּיקּוּן עוֹלָם
  10. Fatmandu
    Feb 10, 2023
    0
    Man the graphics are some of the worst ever...looks like a 1980 game AVGN would rage at. And its too complex IDK what is going on.
  11. withinmyself
    Jan 25, 2023
    10
    I built a dump because there were too many lung fish carcasses everywhere, then I started a death cult at that dump. Meanwhile, my Planter got lost in the mines so a bunch of Hamsters chewed their way out of cages before he could get to them. I don't know what we do with the hamsters. Or why Dwarfs have so many cats, or why there's an option to start a cult at the dump, but this is myI built a dump because there were too many lung fish carcasses everywhere, then I started a death cult at that dump. Meanwhile, my Planter got lost in the mines so a bunch of Hamsters chewed their way out of cages before he could get to them. I don't know what we do with the hamsters. Or why Dwarfs have so many cats, or why there's an option to start a cult at the dump, but this is my new best favorite game ever. And I hate survival/crafting/sim games. But this one just sort of . . . fits in my brain for some reason. So, if you have the mental capacity to juggle millions of insane things at once, and the willingness to fail harder than you've ever failed in your life just to learn how to fish, then buddy, this ones for you. 10/10… Expand
  12. shue15
    Jan 24, 2023
    10
    The game is very complex and makes you dive deep into the study of how much effort and almost all your life the creators have invested in this game, an incredible amount of mechanics, interactions, an incredible world that generates new story branches, you can write a book for each adventure, thanks for this game.
  13. Wesar
    Jan 21, 2023
    10
    the best colony simulator game I've ever played, without a doubt this game has a gigantic complexity, where the world is fully alive, civilizations can be destroyed without even being present in the game, which progresses even if you do absolutely nothing , without a doubt it is a game worth your time, if you have the patience to understand the interface and its game play.
  14. Chillaoi
    Jan 13, 2023
    9
    Review só pra lembrar a nota que dei pro jogo:
    Jogo Incrível sendo na minha opinião o melhor jogo de criação de colônias (ou neste caso fortalezas) que existe hoje em dia, com uma profundidade extrema e possibilidades infinitas de acontecimento bizarros, hilários, tristes e sem noção.
  15. Zarniwoop
    Jan 9, 2023
    9
    0-pointers are complete numbnuts. Sure, the Steam version needs some polishing still and maybe the interface is a bit difficult, but 0 points because of that? The game itself is one of the most introcate ever made, it is not supposed to be easy. It's the same as someone would rate all Soulslike games 0 because they are hard.
  16. Atyra
    Jan 5, 2023
    10
    This is a very particular sort of game. It's not user friendly. It's not going to make learning easy. It's not going to fire off a hundred flashing lights a second to keep your attention. But for those who can find appeal in one of the most intricate strategy management rpg, it contains hundreds of hours of bliss.
  17. JranZu
    Jan 1, 2023
    10
    Best game of 2022 and the past decade. If you played the ASCII version support the devs. If you haven't played the steam version you should!
  18. Exinthevatican
    Dec 26, 2022
    10
    The best game ever made gets even better with a graphical and sound overhaul on steam. If you don’t own this piece of gaming history you do not know what you’re missing.
  19. stesproject
    Dec 20, 2022
    0
    I don't understand how can be fun something so complicated, complex, huge and overwhelming.
  20. KrillerBomb
    Dec 19, 2022
    0
    Unnecessarily complicated and overwhelming, takes too long to figure out to truly be fun. More time consuming than anything, without making much progress whatsoever.
  21. CompleteIdiot
    Dec 14, 2022
    7
    I have only played the game that was recently released, I have not played the previous ascii version. Its a very impressive game considering how small the team is, but it simply is not for me. Its clear that it has been the backbone of other games I enjoy more in this genre (Rimworld for example), but the original is not for me. Its not too difficult, and in quite a few ways I find itI have only played the game that was recently released, I have not played the previous ascii version. Its a very impressive game considering how small the team is, but it simply is not for me. Its clear that it has been the backbone of other games I enjoy more in this genre (Rimworld for example), but the original is not for me. Its not too difficult, and in quite a few ways I find it easier than other city management games. My main issue is that with all its depth its rather clunky. Trying to optimize a sick base or build walls of the same material just takes too much time. While i see how much is in there, and there are plenty of game mechanics I have not explored, all I see so far is how mundane it is. I'll probably return to give it another shot in a couple months. Its definitely good, but the user experience needs to be improved by a lot. If I want to build 4 simple houses, it shouldn't take me minutes to drag and click on what I need, it should take seconds.… Expand
  22. WizardOfYendor
    Dec 14, 2022
    10
    Great version of the game that makes it a lot more accessible. If you haven't played this legendary game yet, now is the time to start.
  23. Nightscape_
    Dec 14, 2022
    7
    I do like this game and it can get very addicting. I think it may be better to wait until the game goes on sale. At the time of this writing, I have experienced multiple slowdowns and lag. There were a few times when certain functions would just stop working and would need to restart the game.

    My biggest complaint about the game is the need to rely on external resources to understand    I do like this game and it can get very addicting. I think it may be better to wait until the game goes on sale. At the time of this writing, I have experienced multiple slowdowns and lag. There were a few times when certain functions would just stop working and would need to restart the game.

    My biggest complaint about the game is the need to rely on external resources to understand how to play it. An in-depth story driven campaign would help so much to teach Dwarf Fortress to new players. Instead you have to figure out everything on your own. It would not be that bad but the game is horrible at providing detailed information that actually helps in resolving problems that arise in your fort. For example, I was about four hours into a new fort (with twenty hours of overall game experience) when all of a sudden my dwarves stopped brewing drinks, even though I had hundreds of seeds and plants, with a large cavern farm and ensuring none of the mushrooms were being made for food and had plenty of barrels. It would have really helped to have had an AI assistant or in-depth encyclopedia that could have helped identify the problem. Am I losing because of a bug or something I don’t understand? I don't mind losing, but do dislike losing when not knowing how to access the information needed to fix the problem.

    The devs should check out games like Civ VI and its Civilpedia for in-game help, along with the optional guide AI character that will assist you in the game. Adding those types of features would go a long way with understanding the complexity of the game. Half my game time is me pausing to look up stuff on the wiki or youtube. There are just so many things you are left guessing about. I want to be able to click on an item and have a page show up like in Civ Vi and let me know about the item and how it's used. I would love to see a customizable AI assistant that warns you about problems and strategies to alleviate them.

    I would say it is fun and addicting but not accessible; it is a very niche game. There is nothing wrong with that but do think it will turn off quite a few casual gamers. You just have to view looking up guides half the time as part of the fun, I suppose (I don’t; I want the game to teach me how to play). I do enjoy playing the game and think it is worth trying out; I just think it may be better to wait a year and when it is on sale for about fifteen or twenty bucks. By then, there should be much more content and patches provided for the game to make it worth the price tag.

    I really do enjoy Dwarf Fortress, despite its flaws and lack of polish. I hope in a year or two I am able to come back to increase my rating of this game, but for now, 7/10.    … Expand
  24. KazzKade
    Dec 13, 2022
    10
    Dwarf Fortress is a 20 year old masterpiece that has inspired many games such as rimworld. Playing with mouse controls is now actually doable and they work great. Anyone who has not played dwarf fortress prior to its steam release should do so now as the amount of crap you can do in dwarf fortress is nearly limitless and YOU WILL LOSE, but that's the point of dwarf fortress, losing is funDwarf Fortress is a 20 year old masterpiece that has inspired many games such as rimworld. Playing with mouse controls is now actually doable and they work great. Anyone who has not played dwarf fortress prior to its steam release should do so now as the amount of crap you can do in dwarf fortress is nearly limitless and YOU WILL LOSE, but that's the point of dwarf fortress, losing is fun and you use your loses as a learning experience to try, try, again. One day you will lead the dwarfs to glory, but first you must lead them into defeat.… Expand
  25. Chongychoo
    Dec 11, 2022
    10
    Yep. Masterpiece.

    A whole underground world for you to discover. Deep and brilliant emergent game-play. Endless stories unfolding before you once you get past the initial learning curve. Get past it. You're in for something genuinely unique. A true labour of love, nearly twenty years in the making with more is being added all the time. Simply stunning.
  26. NABIRIY
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Do not treat this game as an ordinary one that you will abandon forever in a week. Dwarves can be thrown as much as you want, but they will constantly evolve and give out new content that will make you come back. And this content will not be released for a year or two, but as long as the developer brothers are alive
    ------
    Не относитесь к этой игре как к обычным, которые вы навсегда    Do not treat this game as an ordinary one that you will abandon forever in a week. Dwarves can be thrown as much as you want, but they will constantly evolve and give out new content that will make you come back. And this content will not be released for a year or two, but as long as the developer brothers are alive
    ------
    Не относитесь к этой игре как к обычным, которые вы навсегда забросите через неделю. Дворфов можно забрасывать сколько угодно, но они будут постоянно развиваться и выдавать новый контент который заставит вас вернуться. И этот контент будет выходить ни год, ни два а до тех пор пока братья разработчики живы    … Expand
  27. Aquablossom
    Dec 9, 2022
    10
    Everything from the classic version there is to love. But now with a helpful tutorial for new players and an intuitive GUI and mouse support.
  28. Turnip
    Dec 8, 2022
    10
    This game is only for intelligent people. If you have a low attention span, I'd recommend the game Call of Duty by Activision.
  29. xproj1976
    Dec 8, 2022
    10
    This is not a game, it's a piece of art, a great experience you MUST live!
    20 years of programming, for 20 years it was free, now we have to pay these two great men!
    Thanks a lot Adams borthers!
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_Fortress
  30. firebarrage
    Dec 8, 2022
    10
    Dwarf Fortress has long been a fantastic game, and this full release finally addresses what had long been the elephant in the room for this game: the graphics and interface. With this long-awaited update and release the game has become far more accessible and usable. Once again I've found myself loving the process of setting up my forts and the even more Fun process of seeing how it allDwarf Fortress has long been a fantastic game, and this full release finally addresses what had long been the elephant in the room for this game: the graphics and interface. With this long-awaited update and release the game has become far more accessible and usable. Once again I've found myself loving the process of setting up my forts and the even more Fun process of seeing how it all ends. A must-have game for any simulation game fan.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PC Game of 2006
20
#20 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006
28
#28 Most Shared PC Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. GameSpew
    Jan 3, 2023
    90
    Dwarf Fortress is, initially, a little daunting. Not because it’s inaccessible, but because you just know that it’s going to turn into a real time-sink. Is it the prettiest game around? No, but it’s wonderfully, ridiculously deep and a sheer joy to play. If you’re prepared to put the time in, Dwarf Fortress will drag you into its depths and you won’t regret it for one second.
    Read full review
  2. Launcher (The Washington Post)
    Dec 15, 2022
    100
    Dwarf Fortress is a storytelling engine as much as it is a game, spitting out associations and facts and details that you can shape into a coherent and specific narrative. This is also what we do to our own lives, personifying random events so that they feel significant rather than a matter of chance. Life isn’t usually a satisfying narrative. It isn’t so much that “Dwarf Fortress” is a perfect simulacrum of life, but that it shines a bright light on the human tendency to look for meaning in everything. I care about my dwarves because the stories I make up about their lives are also the ones I make up about my own.
    Read full review
  3. GameStar
    Dec 13, 2022
    91
    A truly masterful fantasy simulation.
    Read full review
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