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Dwarf Fortress

Released: 12/6/2022

Critics
88
vs
Users
95

Score Breakdown

87.9

Critic Average

10 reviews

95

Steam User Score

30,310 reviews

85

Metacritic User Score

325 reviews

Disparity Breakdown

Steam Disparity
-7.0

88 vs 95

Metacritic Disparity
+2.9

88 vs 85

Combined Disparity
-2.0

Average of both sources

Review Disparities

Positive = critic higher than usersNegative = critic lower than users

Each point represents a critic review. Hover for details. Positive = critic higher than users. Negative = critic lower.

1/3/2023

Launch Window

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.

90

90/100

Read

12/13/2022

Launch Window

Dwarf Fortress is one of the most incredibly complex games to ever be released, with Bay 12 Games showing no sign of slowing down in the coming years. While the complicated menus and steep learning curve might be too much for some people, this game will be exactly what most colony management fans have always been looking for.

90

90/100

Read

12/9/2022

Launch Window

I think they’ve done it. This is the classic Dwarf Fortress experience but with nice graphics, some quality of life improvements, and more robust mouse support. Strike the earth! Don’t slip on the puke!

90

90/100

Read

12/7/2022

Launch Window

A dedicated renewal for an already-legendary video game, the 2022 release of Dwarf Fortress brings it to a level where the casually interested can finally dive in and Strike the Earth!

100

100/100

Read

12/6/2022

Launch Window

Buy the game for you and everyone you know, move away to a remote, off-the-grid cottage in the mountains, and don’t go back to the city until you master Dwarf Fortress. You will find that the madness of this game is more appealing than the madness of the real world most of the time.

75

75/100

Read

12/6/2022

Launch Window

A graphical overhaul offers a gentler way of playing this vast, strange strategy game of staggering intricacy

100

100/100

Read

12/5/2022

Early Review

Dwarf Fortress looks more modern and offers a lot more ease of access on Steam, but it is still an intimidating game. Another batch of tutorials or contextual tooltips would go a long way toward helping new players uncover the deeper mechanics of the game. There’s something to be said for figuring it out yourself, but that’s not everyone’s learning style.

70

70/100

Read

12/5/2022

Early Review

Dwarf Fortress is a hobby more than a game at its highest levels. It’s something that has enough depth and complexity to devote a small part of your life if you want. Its community is devoted and their command over the mechanics of Dwarf Fortress allows them to do incredible things with this game. That being said, it may not be for everyone. The Steam Release lets you see whether or not this game is worth your time enough to get invested in truly understanding this game.

90

90/100

Read

12/5/2022

Early Review

While Dwarf Fortress, much like the Dwarves it features, may still be a bit rough around the edges, the asking price of $29.99 ultimately seems like a fair deal. It is a highly replayable experience filled with questionable Dwarven decisions and antics you’ll find yourself amused or bewildered by on a regular basis for many hours to come, and benefits from the expectation of support continuing long into the future, as it has many years before this Steam version release.

90

90/100

Read

12/5/2022

Early Review

A worthy revision of the legendary settlement sim. Slightly less impenetrable, just as engrossing.

84

84/100

Read