A Complex Game More Frustrating Than Fun...

Dwarf Fortress is the ultimate city building simulation experience. The attention to detail and complex gameplay gives you unlimited options. The game starts off by giving you a randomly generated map, but this is done by showing you events that have taken place before your dwarfs take over. This simulation makes the maps never the same and gives you truly a unique layout every time. The graphics are done in a 2D pixelated style which isn't horrible but does make it hard to identify some things, and that's because of the complexity of the game.

Monetization wise the game is $29.99 USD on steam. This to me feels a bit overpriced. The game feels like it's only worth $15-20$ USD. The audio in Dwarf Fortress is executed well. The game gives you nice menu music and atmospheric sound effects, such as weather. The settings in this game are very thought out and give you lots of customization to make your gaming experience more pleasant. So far it seems like a great game, right? Well, it is but only if you actually know what you are doing. The Tutorial isn't really helpful and often leaves you more frustrated than you were before. There were times when I had no idea what to do during the tutorial because it was just explained so poorly.

       The game desperately needs a video tutorial or a better explanation for new players. The game throws too many features at you at once instead of walking you through things more individually. By far the most confusing thing is the different elevations. There are over 60 different elevations, and you can only build and dig on certain ones. I was stuck for 10 minutes just trying to figure out how to place a bed in a home because it can only be done underground. The game needs more of a visual tutorial because all of the text the game throws at you just doesn't help. I only recommend this game if you are very familiar with city building games or are ok spending 10+ hours just to learn the very basics of the game. This isn't a game you can just jump into and enjoy. You have to already have tons of hours put in just from learning all the basic mechanics.