[PC] Dwarf Fortress: Too Awesome for Graphics

Oh, Dwarf Fortress, where have you been all my life?

I really like the game, even though it's incredibly taxing on my computer. That seems shocking for an ASCII game, but it's understandable when you take a look at its sheer size. The world creation took two tries (first attempt failed because of a lack of available memory) and about three hours, but it was still enjoyable to watch. The generation of names, legends and historical figures is completely arbitrary, but it gives each world a very unique feel that no one else will ever experience. My world is Zilirsil, the Eternal Plane.

The only Roguelike I've ever enjoyed was Shiren the Wanderer and I've never played any older ones like Rogue, so this has been taking some time to get used to. I started Adventure Mode so that I could figure the graphics out before I jumped into Dwarf Fortress itself. I made a Dwarf with an emphasis in swords, armor and shields, and made his name to translate as "Mistycastle, the Ancient of Shields" in dwarfish.

I've spent two hours exploring the world (I went into Travel Mode, but it's very taxing on my computer when I do that), setting fire to various shrubberies and looking for civilization of some kind. I found one NPC out in the middle of nowhere, but he confusedly declined my offer to join me. He told me the capital was far to the south, but rivers have been blocking my goddamn path. Speaking of, I love how they "animated" the rivers. I was ambushed by a bear at one point, and I proceeded to eviscerate it slowly.

Great find, Taco.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by a lucca

Man, are you going to be pissed when you find out you can download a pre-generated world to keep your computer from going haywire.

Nah, I knew about it before I downloaded the game itself. Like I said, I really enjoy the prospect of having my own unique little world to fiddle with.

I started a Fortress Mode file yesterday, but I was completely lost. I'll have to read more about it in the DFWiki before I try again.

There's nowhere I can't reach.