Dwarf Fortress Beginner's Guide — Start with the Tutorial
We have focused on the facts specified on the Steam official store and the ideas common to this lineage. Last updated: August 14, 2026
Conclusion (two things to know first)
First: Be sure to go through the in-game tutorial on the Steam version. The difficulty that was once a barrier to this work has now been greatly reduced. Second: The official notes that ``This game is currently only available in English.'' This is a work that deals with a large amount of information, so please be sure to understand this point before purchasing.
It expresses the rise and fall of civilizations, personalities, creatures, and cultures. A world that is not just on the surface is being created.
Added pixel graphics and in-game tutorials to help you learn the basics.
"This game is currently only available in English." Localization is under consideration, but no date has been set.
It has been updated for at least 20 years. The density of the elements is an order of magnitude higher.
It is not uncommon to be destroyed by famine, dragons, or madness. This is a work that becomes a talking point.
- Complete the in-game tutorial — One of the Steam edition's biggest improvements. Skipping it leaves you lost.
- Make your first fortress small — the more you expand your reach, the more unmanageable it becomes. Use the minimum configuration until you learn the basic flow.
- Prioritize food and water — Famine is one of the most common causes of devastation. Establish a foundation for your livelihood first.
- Not afraid of destruction — In this work, destruction is also a story. You don't have to stick to one stronghold.
- Get used to English notation — Officially not available in Japanese. Memorizing terminology little by little may seem like a long shot, but it's a shortcut.
Skip the tutorial
This means throwing away the biggest improvement of the Steam version. Pass here first.
Make it big from the beginning
The more things you manage, the faster you will go bankrupt. Start small and gain understanding.
postpone food and water
One of the most common causes of destruction. The basics of life are the top priority.
I bought it thinking it was compatible with Japanese.
The official version clearly states that it is only available in English. The work has a large impact because it contains a large amount of information.
Q. What are your plans for Japanese translation?
The developer is considering localization, but officially the release date has not been decided. Please consider that it is only available in English at this time when making a purchasing decision.
Q. How is it different from the free version?
Steam version adds pixel graphics and in-game tutorial. This is an easy-to-understand version that is less difficult to understand than before.
Q. How complicated?
This category is said to be the most profound in history. However, you can learn the basics with the tutorial on the Steam version. You don't have to understand everything before you start.
Q. Which is better, RimWorld?
If you want to play in Japanese, go to [RimWorld](/en/games/rimworld/)**. If you're looking for a deeper, more complex simulation and don't have any problems with English, this is your only choice.
Facts stated on the Steam official store It consists only of the principles of fighting that are common to this system. We will not publish individual character strength evaluations, strongest builds, and item performance until reliable sources are obtained: