Demo?

[Huge Beard Guy]

I'm really on the fence about this title. Anyone know if there'll be a demo in the future?

[The Trashman]

You can get the game for free, from the bay12 website. It's identical to steam release apart from missing a graphics pack and sound. It also doesn't have workshop integration

[Huge Beard Guy]

Originally posted by The Trashman:

You can get the game for free, from the bay12 website. It's identical to steam release apart from missing a graphics pack and sound. It also doesn't nt have workshop integration

Is that the "Commodore 64" looking version?

[The Trashman]

Originally posted by Huge Beard Guy:

Originally posted by The Trashman:

You can get the game for free, from the bay12 website. It's identical to steam release apart from missing a graphics pack and sound. It also doesn't nt have workshop integration

Is that the "Commodore 64" looking version?

The free version has text graphics by default. I don't know what the options are for community graphic sets, but there may be some

[Terminal]

Dwarf Fortress Classic mode is completely free and uses ascii graphics. Mods and mod support for various different tileset packs exist and can be found on the Dwarf Fortress wiki.

[Vanguze👾]

Originally posted by The Trashman:

You can get the game for free, from the bay12 website. It's identical to steam release apart from missing a graphics pack and sound. It also doesn't have workshop integration

Download lazy newb pack it has pre installed graphics in it if you are on the fence.

https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=7622

[Fletch]

You can freely download the "v.50" (aka Steam release version) from the developer's website here: http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/ -- as others have said, it is the same exact thing as the Steam/Premium version minus the graphics and music tracks that is only available in the Steam/Premium paid version.

If you want the true "classic" experience, I would recommend PeridexisErrant's Starter Pack which is based on the "v.47.05" dwarf fortress engine (released a few years ago), which includes much appreciated community created mods (adds mouse support, multiple graphic tilesets, etc). Especially recommend using the SoundSense mod (included in the Pack download) which gives event specific audio that all versions of the "v.50" lacks.

Edit: here's the link to the free PeridexisErrant's Starter Pack: https://dffd.bay12games.com/file.php?id=7622

[Sminky]

2 hours is probably enough to see if it's a game for you and that you can get your head around it. Just by it and refund it if not. Personally i could make no sence of it even with tile sets until the Steam version.

[Huge Beard Guy]

Originally posted by Sminky:

2 hours is probably enough to see if it's a game for you and that you can get your head around it. Just by it and refund it if not. Personally i could make no sence of it even with tile sets until the Steam version.

Yeah, visually the "Commodore 64" version doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. I get why people would recommend it as a "try before you buy" or "just play that instead". I'm also definitely old enough for that nostalgic feeling however, I know it won't last. Nowadays that nostalgic feeling doesn't last beyond 5 mins and in this case it'd probably be a detriment.

I get the appeal of the Steam 2 hour refund window but I prefer not to do that for no other reason than it just doesn't sit well with me but ta for the suggestion.

[Mechanos]

Originally posted by Huge Beard Guy:

I'm really on the fence about this title. Anyone know if there'll be a demo in the future?

I hate to be that guy.. but... you should REALLY be careful with the advice people are giving you. Old DF sucks compared to new DF, and is not a good comparison. My brain quite realistically can't handle all the hotkeys and bad graphics of the old version, let alone the old job management system. But the new DF was pretty easy for me to pick up, learn, and play.

If you're still on the fence about DF (steam version) I would recommend maybe trying to find some youtube videos of new players trying it out. I specify "new players", because experienced youtubers are going to cut out a lot and highlight their shenanigans of course. I do recommend DF steam version though, to anyone that's into colony sim games. I enjoy DF more than games like Rimworld now.

[LaChouette]

Originally posted by Mechanos:

Originally posted by Huge Beard Guy:

I'm really on the fence about this title. Anyone know if there'll be a demo in the future?

I hate to be that guy.. but... you should REALLY be careful with the advice people are giving you. Old DF sucks compared to new DF, and is not a good comparison. My brain quite realistically can't handle all the hotkeys and bad graphics of the old version, let alone the old job management system. But the new DF was pretty easy for me to pick up, learn, and play.

The free version is not old DF anymore. It's current DF, but in ASCII. If you launch the Steam version, turn off the sounds and turn on the ASCII graphics in the settings, you essentially have the free version. I totally get being bothered by those graphics, but as far as hotkeys, UI or job management goes, it's exactly the same as what we hav on Steam.

[Huge Beard Guy]

Originally posted by Mechanos:

Originally posted by Huge Beard Guy:

I'm really on the fence about this title. Anyone know if there'll be a demo in the future?

I hate to be that guy.. but... you should REALLY be careful with the advice people are giving you.

No need. I've always been certain that the old DF isn't for me.

Originally posted by Mechanos:

I would recommend maybe trying to find some youtube videos of new players trying it out. I specify "new players", because experienced youtubers are going to cut out a lot and highlight their shenanigans of course.

That's a good call, ta. I have watched a bit or two before but each time the vid both sold the game to me and warned me against it. I'll check out some new players though, that's a good shout.

Ta again.

[Mechanos]

Originally posted by LaChouette:

Originally posted by Mechanos:

I hate to be that guy.. but... you should REALLY be careful with the advice people are giving you. Old DF sucks compared to new DF, and is not a good comparison. My brain quite realistically can't handle all the hotkeys and bad graphics of the old version, let alone the old job management system. But the new DF was pretty easy for me to pick up, learn, and play.

The free version is not old DF anymore. It's current DF, but in ASCII. If you launch the Steam version, turn off the sounds and turn on the ASCII graphics in the settings, you essentially have the free version. I totally get being bothered by those graphics, but as far as hotkeys, UI or job management goes, it's exactly the same as what we hav on Steam.

Alright, that's fair, my bad. I forgot old version got the new interface (and I even read some complaints a month ago about people missing the old hotkeys). ASCII is still a deal breaker for me though.

[NimrodX]

Yea get the a "starter pack" of the free classic version which is not exactly the same, but using that you should be able to tell what the game is like and whether you want to pay for the same thing with nicer GUI and graphics.