A Game of Dwarves

A Game of Dwarves is a 2012 strategy and management game developed by Zeal Game Studio and published by Paradox Interactive for Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The player guides a young dwarven prince and his expanding colony as they dig downward through procedurally varied subterranean layers, unearthing treasure, ancient ruins and hostile creatures. Gameplay blends digging and base-building with light real-time strategy: the player issues orders rather than controlling dwarves directly, assigning them to mine, build rooms, farm, research and defend while managing food, resources and population growth. As the colony delves deeper it encounters skeletons, goblins and other threats, requiring fortifications, traps and a trained military to survive. The game features a story-driven campaign that introduces mechanics gradually, alongside a customisable sandbox mode for open-ended play, and supports a range of room types and decorations that let players shape their underground kingdom to taste. Reception was mixed; reviewers praised its approachable take on the dwarf-fortress and god-game traditions and its charming, colourful presentation, but criticised repetitive late-game tasks and a sometimes fiddly interface. It is frequently compared to Dungeon Keeper and Dwarf Fortress, offering a gentler, more accessible entry point into the colony-management subgenre. Several downloadable content packs added extra visual themes and items after launch, extending the sandbox's variety.