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AI Powered Steam Review Summaries
Dwarf Fortress
Indie
Simulation
Strategy
Single-player
Steam Workshop
Family Sharing

The deepest, most intricate simulation of a world that's ever been created. The legendary Dwarf Fortress is now on Steam. Build a fortress and try to help your dwarves survive against a deeply generated world.

Developers: Bay 12 Games
Publishers: Kitfox Games
Release Date: Dec 6, 2022
Price (USD): $23.99
Current Players: 922

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(95%)
depth and complexity
procedural generation
updated graphics
influence on games
community support
procedural storytelling
graphics update
complexity
learning curve
UI issues
bugs and technical issues
tedious management
lack of guidance
The general sentiment around Dwarf Fortress is highly positive among those who appreciate complex and deeply simulated gaming experiences. Its depth and procedural storytelling are heavily praised, with players often sharing unique stories of their gameplay adventures. However, the learning curve and UI issues are significant hurdles that deter some potential players. Mixed responses come from a divide between those who enjoy the procedural storytelling and those who prefer more structured gameplay. Overall, enthusiasm for the game's uniqueness is apparent, though not without acknowledging its flaws.

Positive Points

  • The game is highly praised for its depth and complexity, offering a unique and intricate simulation experience.
  • Dwarf Fortress has a rich history of being a major influence on other games like Minecraft and Rimworld.
  • The game's procedural generation creates unique, complex worlds and stories every time.
  • The Steam release has made the game more accessible with updated graphics and a better UI.
  • The community and modding support are strong, offering endless replayability and enhancements.

    • Negative Points

  • The game is notorious for its overwhelming learning curve and requires significant time investment to understand.
  • UI and control issues are frequently criticized for being unintuitive and cumbersome, reminiscent of older games.
  • Bugs and technical issues persist, some of which have been present for many years.
  • Some players find the game's pace too slow and the management aspects too tedious.
  • The game can be frustrating without external guides or wikis due to its lack of in-game guidance.

    • Mixed Points

  • While some users appreciate the game's depth and complexity, others find it overly complicated and inaccessible.
  • The new graphics and UI are seen as an improvement by some, while others miss the classic ASCII style and original key bindings.
  • The game's procedural storytelling is viewed as unique and engaging by some but is seen as directionless by others who prefer clear objectives.

    • Common Themes

  • The game's complexity and depth are both its defining strengths and biggest barriers for new players.
  • Dwarf Fortress is a cornerstone of the colony sim genre and has inspired many modern games.
  • The procedural generation creates a unique experience, which often leads to interesting and memorable stories.
  • Losing or failing in the game is often seen as part of the experience and enjoyment for players.
  • The community plays a significant role in enhancing the game experience with mods and external guides.
    • Updated 11/5/2025, 12:01:52 AM UTC
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