DwarfHeim
- September 27, 2021
- Pineleaf Studio
- 4h median play time
DwarfHeim has a few things to work on in the Early Access process, but at this point it already shows a lot of potential. The game is supposed to stay in Early Access until next summer as well. On the surface the game seems pretty similar to your typical RTS. The builder and warrior role don’t really differ all that much, but they are still really enjoyable. The miner role is quite unique for the genre though as it feels more like you are running a factory than playing a RTS. I thought this was a really interesting addition to the genre. On top of this the idea of each player on the team taking a different role really forces players to work well together. I could see this leading to some issues for teams that don’t normally play together and there is likely to be some downtime for each role. DwarfHeim has the potential to be revolutionary for the cooperative RTS genre though. Otherwise the game could use some more content, but that is to be expected from a game that will be spending at least half a year in Early Access.
Get on Steam"DwarfHeim is a fantasy real-time strategy game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, with a focus on co-op gameplay for 2 players. Players can choose between the Miner, Warrior, or Builder class, each with unique abilities that contribute to gathering resources, expanding the city, and defending against troll attacks. The Friend-Pass feature allows owners to invite friends to try the co-op mode for free before purchasing."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a unique concept that combines different roles (Miner, Builder, Warrior) which encourages teamwork and strategy.
- The graphics and art style are visually appealing, creating an engaging atmosphere for players.
- The game offers a fun experience when played with friends, especially in cooperative modes.
- The game is riddled with bugs and technical issues, making it frustrating and unplayable at times.
- The developers have abandoned the game, leaving it in an unfinished state with no further updates or support.
- The player base is extremely low, leading to long wait times for matches and making it difficult to find games.
- gameplay92 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this early access RTS features innovative mechanics and a unique three-class system (miner, builder, warrior) that encourages team coordination, but it is marred by numerous bugs, balancing issues, and a lack of content. While the core mechanics are enjoyable and the art style is appealing, many players feel the game is unfinished and resembles a tech demo rather than a polished product. Overall, it shows promise but requires significant improvements to deliver a satisfying experience.
“Love the concept and the gameplay!”
“The core gameplay is enjoyable, the class roles are compelling each in their own way, and there is lots of room for tightly-integrated team play.”
“Gameplay is great, the tech tree is deep, the learning curve is present, but not brutal.”
“It has its fair share of rough gameplay, pathfinding issues, balancing issues, etc., but the reason I ask you to stay away for now is just bugs!”
“Too many bugs, lack of content, and extremely limited gameplay loops abound.”
“A lot of the core mechanics don't work as intended.”
- stability54 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its significant stability issues, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and unresponsive AI that hinder gameplay. Many players describe it as an unfinished product that can be frustrating to play, despite some potential for fun in multiplayer settings. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires substantial fixes before it can be considered stable or enjoyable.
“Most of the core activities you engage in during a match are bug-free, although bugs can still occur in more unusual situations.”
“This game had promise, and the demo was enjoyable, albeit somewhat buggy. However, as of the writing of this review, there is an average daily player count of 87.”
“This game is extremely buggy and unplayable for me.”
“I would like to say wait a little bit before buying, but given how bad things are now, I honestly don't see them getting better to a point where it is not going to be a buggy, frustrating mess.”
“I was actually really hoping that this game would be good; unfortunately, it is in an unplayable state that is riddled with minor bugs and glitches that stack up to create a mountain of mediocrity.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's graphics receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the Scandinavian art style and dynamic visuals, while others criticize certain models as poorly designed and the overall optimization as lacking. Despite some technical issues, the cohesive aesthetic and engaging gameplay elements are highlighted as strong points that enhance the overall experience.
“Yet it is the solid gameplay and the art style that gets me to play it.”
“The graphic identity feels very Scandinavian, with attention to details, and I like the fact that there is stuff going on on the map as well as under it; it offers flexibility.”
“So dynamic, full of surprises and beautiful graphics and script.”
“It's hurting my brain when I see the graphics and what the game looks like.”
“Well, I like the design of dwarves, but no, some models look awful and the graphics are lacking.”
“- Some pathfinding issues and unoptimized graphics.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users noting significant issues in unit responsiveness, control features, and overall performance, leading to a feeling of an unfinished product. Key functionalities like guard mode and attack move are either missing or poorly implemented, while graphical optimization and pathfinding also suffer from noticeable flaws. Despite some positive remarks about the tutorial and build order mechanics, the consensus is that the game requires substantial bug fixes and optimization improvements.
“Firstly, all of the basic features that make a game like Age of Empires so great are its optimization and feel.”
“The skill cap is insane; the more you learn about the game, the more your progress will be felt as you have more resources sooner because of optimized build orders.”
“Some pathfinding issues and unoptimized graphics.”
“I am not talking about hardware optimization; I am talking about unit responsiveness, control, and movement options such as guard mode and attack move, which are features that are completely missing or don't work very well.”
“Instead, we are left with a half-baked, unfinished, non-optimized mess of a game.”
“Trash optimization, obnoxious voice acting, the music just cuts out on its own after about an hour, and lack of important information conveyance (e.g., a single enemy destroying a building because you get no notification that you're under attack).”
- music11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its uniqueness and quality, while others criticize its abrupt cutouts and poor optimization. Additionally, there are complaints about the lack of important audio cues, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while the music has potential, technical issues hinder its effectiveness.
“Unique concept, good music, smooth play.”
“Jump into the game's Discord and report the bugs, come into the high halls and laugh with me and the other dwarfs either because the bug was too hilarious or because we are singing some weird song while waiting in queue!”
“Trash optimization, obnoxious voice acting, the music just cuts out on its own after about an hour, and lack of important information conveyance (e.g., a single enemy destroying a building because you get no notification that you're under attack).”
“If I get a game when I am in the volume of the notification, the music is like being next to a train.”
“Don't really expect music either.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a key feature, particularly when played with friends, with players enjoying the comedic interactions and dialogue of the Scottish/Irish dwarfs. The ongoing development adds to the fun, as players often find themselves laughing at both the game's quirks and the community's antics while waiting in queues. Overall, the humor is described as engaging and entertaining, contributing positively to the gaming experience.
“The base structure itself is already pretty funny if played with 3 people!”
“The Scottish/Irish dwarfs are funny to listen to as well.”
“Jump into the game's Discord and report the bugs, come into the high halls and laugh with me and the other dwarfs either because the bug was too hilarious or because we are singing some weird song while waiting in queue!”
- story6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is severely lacking, with no single-player campaign or backstory available, leaving players with only skirmish and wave survival modes. The developer's closure means these issues are unlikely to be addressed, making it difficult to recommend for those seeking a more narrative-driven experience.
“The seed of a game with many issues still outstanding, but as the developer went bust, there will be no polished game - single player campaign missing, no backstory to the game, abandoned co-op servers.”
“In this form, I cannot recommend this game to anyone who wants a bit more out of their games than just skirmish or wave survival without any backstory.”
“- No story campaign (yet)”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspects of the game to be a mixed experience; while the Builder offers classic RTS gameplay and the Warrior incorporates engaging camp farming mechanics, the mining component is often seen as overly complicated and tedious. Additionally, the tutorials, which are essential for understanding the game, are criticized for being lengthy and aimed at newcomers, contributing to a sense of grind.
“Mining is needlessly complicated and tedious.”
“Doing the tutorials is absolutely necessary, and currently feels kind of tedious (lots of reading, directed at people who have never touched an RTS before).”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism, as players felt misled by advertisements that suggested a different gameplay experience, leading to disappointment. Many believe that the game's unique concept, which blends MOBA and RTS elements, could have benefited from better marketing to attract a larger audience.
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The 1.0 release significantly enhances the game's playability, offering a challenging and engaging experience. The clever variety in character roles contributes to its high replayability, making it a recommended choice for players.
“Challenging and engaging with clever variety in the character roles which increases replayability.”
