Dwarf Fortress has endless gameplay possibilites packed into its Fortress mode — and it certainly has plenty of nerdy features and informational tidbits in Legends mode — but Adventurer mode is where the roguelike fans on Steam want to roam.
Adventurer mode allows you to make a character, or even a party, to explore a generated world rife with threats both large and small, inevitably ending in death (as is the proper roguelike way). The mode provides a totally different perspective, and the gameplay is a totally different beast from Dwarf Fortress‘ more notorious Fortress mode, allowing you to explore and experience the worlds you generate in a more RPG manner.
Is Adventure Mode in Dwarf Fortress on Steam?
At the time of writing, Steam’s Dwarf Fortress build does not include Adventurer mode. Adventurer mode is currently in development for the Steam build of the game; it not launching with the Steam release is likely due to the number of interface changes between the original, free version and the more modernized Steam one.
According to a blog post from October, we can expect to see Adventure mode added to the game around the time it receives achievements on Steam. Hopefully, both should happen in the next few months.
Don’t wait for Adventurer mode to hop into Dwarf Fortress, though: the game’s depth is second to none. Fortress mode is as robust as a management game can get, as expected from one of the most influential games in the genre. If you’re coming into the game fresh with the Steam release, consider taking a gander at our growing list of Dwarf Fortress guides, including how to get seeds and what it means when an animal is stray.
