Dwarf Fortress
Dwarven colony simulation where deep systems turn failure into history
Bay 12 Games · Published by Kitfox Games · Released Dec 6, 2022
- Reviews
- Very Positive
- 95% of 32K
- Recent reviews
- Very Positive
- 85% of 104 in 30 days
- Playing now
- 484
- peak 24h 761
- Steam Deck
- Playable
- Last update
- 1 month ago
- Aug 5, 2026
Metacritic: 93/100 (critic reviews)
What is Dwarf Fortress?
A single-player construction and management simulation set in a generated fantasy world. You mine into a mountain, build a fortress, manage dwarves and supplies, and respond to threats ranging from starvation to hostile creatures.
For you if...
- +you enjoy detailed colony management and base building
- +you value emergent stories shaped by unexpected failures
- +you accept a steep learning curve and punishing setbacks
Not for you if...
- −you want simple controls and quickly explained systems
- −you prefer clear victory goals over open-ended simulation
- −you dislike rebuilding after a colony collapses
What players say
95% of 31,520 reviews are positive · 85% of 104 in the last 30 days
Players praise the detailed world simulation and unpredictable stories created by flourishing and collapsing fortresses. Common complaints focus on unintuitive, mouse-heavy menus, weak in-game explanations, and long-standing bugs that complicate large or long-running forts.
Screenshots and trailer
Dwarf Fortress system requirements
As published by the developer.
Minimum
- OS
- XP SP3 or later
- Processor
- Dual Core CPU - 2.4GHz+
- Graphics
- 1GB of VRAM: Intel HD 3000 GPU / AMD HD 5450 / Nvidia 9400 GT
- Memory
- 4 GB RAM
- Storage
- 500 MB available space
- Notes
- Requires 64 bit processor and operating system
Recommended
- Processor
- Dual Core CPU - 4GHz+
- Memory
- 4 GB RAM
- Storage
- 500 MB available space
PC version details
DRM, required accounts, controller support and Steam features.
- DRM
- None declared on Steam
- Controller
- Keyboard and mouse
- Platforms
- Windows, Linux
- Steam features
- Workshop, Family Sharing
Steam Deck: Playable
- Sometimes shows mouse, keyboard or non-Deck controller icons
- Some text entry requires manually opening the on-screen keyboard
- Some in-game text is small and may be hard to read
- All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
- Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck
Tags
- Dwarves
- Colony Sim
- Base Building
- Simulation
- Strategy
- City Builder
- Sandbox
- Management
- Building
- Survival
- Roguelike
- Open World
- Procedural Generation
- Resource Management
- Fantasy
- Crafting
Recent updates
- Aug 5, 2026 · 20th Anniversary, Myth & Magic art and music 🦄 Dwarf Fortress Patch 53.16
- Jun 25, 2026 · The Dino Update is out now! 🦕 Dwarf Fortress Patch 53.15
- Jun 10, 2026 · Dinos are coming June 25th! 🦖 Dwarf Fortress Dev Update
- May 20, 2026 · Patch 53.14
- May 13, 2026 · Diplomacy Improvements + 20th Anniversary 🙌 Dwarf Fortress Patch 53.13
2 DLC available.
Games like Dwarf Fortress
