Dwarfs!?
- May 3, 2011
- Tripwire Interactive
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"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
Reviews
- The game is fun and addictive, providing endless entertainment and a nostalgic experience for players returning after years.
- Gameplay is simple and easy to learn, making it accessible for casual gamers while still offering challenges at higher difficulties.
- The variety of game modes, including arcade and tower defense, adds replayability and keeps the experience fresh.
- The AI of the dwarfs can be frustratingly poor, often leading them to make reckless decisions that result in their demise.
- The game lacks depth and can become repetitive quickly, with some players feeling it doesn't hold their attention for long.
- There are bugs related to achievements and performance issues on certain systems, which can detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay41 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as simple and easy to learn, making it enjoyable for casual play, though it can feel shallow and repetitive over time. While some players appreciate the variety in game modes and mechanics, others criticize the lack of depth and rewarding gameplay, leading to frustration, especially at higher difficulties. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and charm, but many feel it lacks the substance needed for long-term engagement.
“The gameplay is simple and easy to learn.”
“12 years later, I sit down and play it again, and 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.”
“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 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.”
“There's nothing to the gameplay, mechanics, or graphics that makes me want to play the game further than the tutorial.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are often described as simplistic or reminiscent of older styles, such as classic arcade or flash games, which may not appeal to everyone. However, many players appreciate the atmospheric experience these visuals create, comparing them to beloved indie titles like Terraria and Minecraft. While some find the graphics outdated, others enjoy their charm and the nostalgic feel they bring to the gameplay.
“This game is one of those that, through some unknown enigmatic effect, manage 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.”
“Fun game, classic arcade style graphics with simple controls.”
“With its beautiful graphics and one of the most immersive storylines I've played in years, I can't recommend this game enough.”
“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.”
- music13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for being fitting and enjoyable, enhancing the overall experience with its medieval tones and relaxing quality. While the soundtrack is somewhat limited, it effectively complements the gameplay and adds to the game's charm, making it a memorable aspect for players. Many users appreciate the music's ability to create a comforting atmosphere, allowing for casual play alongside other activities.
“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!?”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its funny characters, particularly the Scottish dwarf and the Irish commentator, which add a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere. Players find the humor to be both relaxing and engaging, with a mix of cheesy jokes and amusing animations that enhance the overall experience. While some note that the humor can become repetitive over longer play sessions, it remains a highlight that contributes to the game's addictive nature.
“This game is funny, relaxing, amazing, pressure releasing, cool to play.”
“I got it for Killing Floor's dwarf axe yet it has a commentator with a funny Irish accent!”
“It is full of humor which is much needed some days after work.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mix of replayability, with several modes and bonus mutations that enhance the experience. While many players find it enjoyable and packed with content, some express concerns about its depth and the potential for replayability to diminish over time. Ultimately, it strikes a balance between being a fun time-waster and having limited replay value for those seeking more varied gameplay.
“It's simple and a good time waster, plus it has a ton of replayability.”
“The game has a number of modes to play, which adds a lot of replayability.”
“Charming game packed full of content and replayability.”
“My only wish: that they added a bit more playable content/campaigns.”
“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.”
“It has some interesting mechanics but really lacks any depth or replayability.”
- story7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is polarizing; some players feel it lacks depth and structure, criticizing the absence of a traditional campaign and limited narrative content, while others praise its immersive storyline and emotional impact, highlighting it as one of the most engaging they've experienced in years.
“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.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be a wholesome and relaxing experience, often evoking a range of emotions from joy to guilt through its storytelling and unexpected choices. The narrative elicits strong feelings, making players reflect on their actions and decisions, while also providing moments of humor and surprise. Overall, it successfully blends lightheartedness with deeper emotional undertones.
“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.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it suits casual gameplay, higher difficulty levels can become frustrating and tedious due to a lack of variety. Many feel that the repetitive nature of farming for achievements detracts from the challenge, leading to a monotonous experience.
“It is a good formula for casual gameplay, but trying to play at higher difficulties for extended periods leads to frustration and tedium.”
“The game lacks variety; it becomes tedious to play when trying to achieve high scores or on longer maps.”
“Do you enjoy grinding for achievements instead of being challenged by them?”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game exhibits several stability issues, including bugs related to achievements and level completion, as well as freezing during gameplay, particularly in tower defense mode. Users have reported that these glitches hinder the overall experience and need to be addressed for improved performance.
“The achievements, though not hard to get, are a bit buggy in that '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 as 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.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game incorporates real money transactions for in-game purchases, allowing players to buy various items or enhancements. This monetization model has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the optional nature of purchases, while others criticize it for potentially creating a pay-to-win environment.
“The game heavily relies on real money for in-game purchases, making it difficult to progress without spending.”
“I feel like I'm being pushed to spend money just to enjoy the game, which really ruins the experience.”
“The monetization strategy is aggressive, with constant prompts to buy items that should be earnable through gameplay.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is praised for its ability to create an immersive experience despite minimal visuals, comparable to titles like Terraria and Minecraft, suggesting that its charm lies in its simplicity rather than high-end graphics.
“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.”
