Dwarfs!?

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 926 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Dwarfs!? Game Cover
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"Dwarfs!?" is a humorous single-player Fantasy Arcade game where you manage an underground Dwarf base, guiding them to mine and explore while avoiding danger. With addictive gameplay and randomly-generated caves, it offers a fun experience for all ages and skill levels. Your goal is to make the colony as rich as possible before their inevitable doom, using the Dwarf Cannon as a last resort against the Spider Queen.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 926 reviews
gameplay26 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • Endless fun with simple and easy-to-learn gameplay.
  • Offers a variety of game modes, including tower defense and arcade, providing good replayability.
  • Charming voice acting and humorous elements make it an enjoyable casual experience.
  • Gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, leading to a quick loss of interest.
  • Dwarves often act randomly, making it frustrating to manage them effectively.
  • Technical issues, such as crashes and bugs, can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay82 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simple and easy to learn, making it suitable for casual play, though many reviewers note a lack of depth and mechanical variety that can lead to quick monotony. While some appreciate the nostalgic and enjoyable aspects, particularly in lower difficulty settings, others criticize the gameplay for being shallow and unengaging, especially at higher levels. Overall, the game offers a mix of interesting modes and mechanics, but many feel it lacks the depth and replayability to sustain long-term interest.

    • “12 years later, I sit down and play it again. I remember how easy and enjoyable this game can be, whether or not you want to just pass time or try and hit a high score. It's definitely a comfort thing for me; some parts of it may have aged, but outside those small details, the gameplay is still great. The music hits just right, and I can remember how to play it jumping straight back in.”
    • “The gameplay does have variety, both in the obstacles you must overcome and in the tools you have to work with.”
    • “The level editor is also extremely easy to use and can make for some really fun and unique hours of gameplay.”
    • “Every time I've played this game, I've listened to an audiobook or a podcast and I've realized after about 10 or 20 minutes of gameplay that I'd rather do something else.”
    • “The gameplay boils down to 'spend money on square-by-square directional control or sit back and wait for the aimless drones to stumble into something fatal'.”
    • “The aimless gameplay pretty much means that you've seen 90% of what you can expect by the time you have completed the tutorial, and unless there's some whole other game hidden here, I can't say I'm going to be a fan.”
  • graphics28 mentions

    The graphics of the game are often described as simple, reminiscent of classic arcade or older titles like Warcraft, and sometimes compared to flash games with a cartoony aesthetic. While some players appreciate the atmospheric experience created by these less detailed visuals, others find them outdated and lacking in depth. Overall, the graphics may not impress everyone, but they contribute to a nostalgic charm that appeals to certain audiences.

    • “With its beautiful graphics and one of the most immersive storylines I've played in years, I can't recommend this game enough.”
    • “Fun game, classic arcade style graphics with simple controls.”
    • “This game is one of those that, through some unknown enigmatic effect, manages to produce a more atmospheric experience with less visuals (think Terraria, Minecraft, Dwarf Fortress) than some of the latest AAA overcharged graphical wonders ever will.”
    • “A good idea of the game with limited content and outdated graphics.”
    • “The graphics compare to a typical flash game that caters to a cartoony look.”
    • “There's nothing to the gameplay, mechanics, or graphics that makes me want to play the game further than the tutorial.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its fitting and enjoyable medieval tones, enhancing the overall experience and adding to the game's charm. While the soundtrack is somewhat limited, it effectively complements the gameplay, making it a relaxing backdrop for players. Many users appreciate the ability to adjust the music volume and find it suitable for casual play or multitasking.

    • “The soundtrack is limited, but fitting and enjoyable.”
    • “Soundtrack brings life to the game and increases my love of it.”
    • “Cool music and nicely fitting graphics.”
    • “If you're used to medieval tones, then this is the type of music it has.”
    • “There is a music volume slider available.”
    • “Also... it turns out that the 'diggy diggy hole' song from the Yogscast was immortalized in Dwarfs!?”
  • humor24 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its humor, featuring funny characters like a Scottish dwarf and a commentator with an Irish accent, which adds to its charm. Players find the humor both relaxing and entertaining, with many noting its cheesy yet addictive nature. Overall, the comedic elements contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a fun experience despite occasional frustrations.

    • “This game is funny, relaxing, amazing, pressure releasing, cool to play.”
    • “I got it for Killing Floor's dwarf's axe yet it has a commentator with a funny Irish accent!”
    • “It is full of humor which is much needed some days after work.”
  • replayability24 mentions

    The game offers a variety of modes and mechanics that contribute to its replayability, with many players noting it as a significant strength. However, some reviews indicate that the replay value may diminish over time due to a lack of depth and content variety. Overall, while many find it enjoyable and worth revisiting, others feel it could benefit from additional campaigns or content to enhance long-term engagement.

    • “The game has a number of modes to play, which adds a lot of replayability.”
    • “This game has massive replayability.”
    • “Charming game packed full of content and replayability.”
    • “After a while, if you're careful, it just comes down to juggling things until time runs out... then the replayability fades somewhat, though to be honest, I haven't even tried all the game modes.”
    • “This is either the most genius game with a ton of replay value, or the most simple game with limited replay.”
    • “It has some interesting mechanics but really lacks any depth or replayability.”
  • story14 mentions

    The game's story aspect is polarizing; some players feel it lacks depth, criticizing the absence of a traditional campaign and describing it as merely a series of missions with no overarching narrative. Conversely, others praise the immersive storyline and emotional impact, highlighting it as one of the most engaging experiences they've encountered. Overall, the story's effectiveness seems to vary significantly among players.

    • “I loved the story as it somehow made me feel like a real bad person, although I didn't think I had a choice.”
    • “With its beautiful graphics and one of the most immersive storylines I've played in years, I can't recommend this game enough.”
    • “And what disappointed me most - the campaign has no story!”
    • “There is no campaign, just 6 specific missions and a sandbox mode.”
    • “Not much of a story, lad.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The game offers a unique emotional experience, blending wholesome relaxation with moments of unexpected moral complexity that can evoke feelings of guilt and self-reflection. Players report a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter to tears, enhanced by a compelling narrative that challenges their sense of agency. Overall, it creates a memorable and engaging emotional journey within a short playtime.

    • “It made me feel badass, yet shot that feeling down with choices that you didn't know you chose, making you feel terrible.”
    • “I loved the story as it somehow made me feel like a real bad person, although I didn't think I had a choice.”
    • “I laughed, I cried, I met Bill Murray.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game suitable for casual play, but it can become frustrating and tedious when attempting higher difficulties or pursuing high scores over extended periods. The lack of variety in gameplay contributes to the monotony, as many feel they are simply repeating tasks like farming gold rather than facing meaningful challenges.

    • “It is a good formula for casual gameplay, but trying to play higher difficulties for longer periods leads to frustration and tediousness.”
    • “The game lacks variety; it becomes tedious to play when trying to achieve high scores or on a long map.”
    • “Do you like grinding for achievements instead of being challenged for them?”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game exhibits notable stability issues, with players reporting bugs related to achievements and tutorial progression, as well as freezing during gameplay. These problems hinder the overall experience, making it difficult to complete certain levels and achieve objectives. Users are calling for fixes to enhance stability and gameplay reliability.

    • “The achievements, though not hard to get, are a bit buggy in that the 'not-a-war-hammer' can't be unlocked here and has to be transferred from the free-to-play version.”
    • “I don't know if this is a bug, but I'm at the last level of the tutorial and when I trap the water cave, it's not showing it has been completed. In tower defense mode, when I fast forward, it sometimes freezes and the miners keep destroying the walls I place, making it impossible to beat. Please fix this game.”
    • “It's a bit buggy and it's not much to look at.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game employs a monetization model that includes real money transactions for in-game purchases, allowing players to buy various items or enhancements.

    • “Does this game use real money for in-game purchases?”
    • “Does this game use real money for in-game purchases?”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its ability to create a rich and immersive experience despite minimal visuals, comparable to indie classics like Terraria and Minecraft, which often evoke deeper emotional responses than many high-budget AAA titles.

    • “This game is one of those that, through some unknown enigmatic effect, manages to produce a more atmospheric experience with less visuals (think Terraria, Minecraft, Dwarf Fortress) than some of the latest AAA overcharged graphical wonders ever will.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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