Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress is a refreshed version of a production developed since 2002, combining elements of RPG, management simulator and strategy. Bay 12 Games, the studio behind the original Dwarf Fortress Classic - one of the first games purchased by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the inspiration for such productions as RimWorld, Prison Architect and Minecraft - is responsible for its development. The new installment of the title was published by Kitfox Games and was released on Steam and itch.io.

Storyline

As in the original, the game's action is set in a fantastic, randomly generated world. Here, too, we take control of a group of seven intrepid dwarves, or we play the role of an adventurer, wandering alone through a land full of secrets and dangers.

Mechanics

As Dwarf Fortress is a refreshed version of the long-known title, it contains all the modes present in the original: Fortress, Adventurer and Legends. The first of these, and the most popular, allows us to generate our own unique world, in which we then take control of a group of dwarves fighting for survival. We help our heroes to establish a fortress and develop a colony, while protecting them from various dangers. The gameplay ends when the last member of the team is eliminated.

The game is inspired by roguelike productions, so we have to show a good tactical sense in it and watch for any signs of discontent on the part of the dwarves, so that our civilization will last as long as possible. We also need to remember to get regular supplies of food and beer, as well as provide assistance when fending off attacks from alien civilizations, wild creatures and even the dead. Each loss teaches us something, and from each we can learn lessons that will make the gameplay easier the next time we try... or at least until another threat thwarts our plans.

Each world has its own set of randomly generated animals and monsters, each also features a unique type of poetry, musical forms, instruments and types of dance. As in the original, the game allows us to create a variety of buildings, craft precious items (a total of more than two hundred types of rocks and minerals can appear in the game) or manage nobility. The title also allows us to track weather changes, wind strength and air properties. Proper management of our colony will result in the development of a unique dwarven culture, rich in libraries, temples, taverns, various wares and much more.

Within the next mode - Adventurer - on the other hand, we play as a single hero, who has the opportunity to freely explore the world we have created. In this mode, we take control of one of the available characters (a dwarf, human, elf, or even a goblin or animal). During our wanderings we can recruit other units (including dwarves, living in the fortresses we abandoned), explore various locations or hunt or avoid numerous dangers by following the footprints and animal tracks left behind. This mode also introduces the original nemesis system, thanks to which we have the opportunity to encounter opponents from previous games on our way.

Legends mode again allows us to learn about the history of the world and the most important events that took place in it.

Technical issues

The game features two-dimensional graphics, maintained in the pixel-art style (although the older, original ASCII mode is also available). Several music artists (including Dabu) worked on the unique soundtrack, matching the changing seasons and additional sound effects.