We Are the Dwarves is a real-time tactics video game developed and published by Kyiv-based Whale Rock Games.[1] It was first released in 2016 and is about a trio of spacefaring dwarves who must save their homeland.

We Are the Dwarves
Developer(s)Whale Rock Games
Publisher(s)Whale Rock Games
Platform(s)
ReleaseLinux, macOS, Windows
  • WW: February 26, 2016
Xbox One
  • WW: February 23, 2017
PlayStation 4
  • NA: March 28, 2017
  • EU: March 29, 2017
Genre(s)Real-time tactics
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay edit

A race of spacefaring dwarves discover their sun is dying. Three dwarven kingdoms jointly send an expedition to find a new home. Instead of empty space, the universe is filled with stone, and new planets exist inside caves. Players control three dwarves, each of whom has unique skills and a different focus, representing one of the dwarven kingdoms. Smashfist uses melee weapons, Forcer is a ranged specialist, and Shadow attacks from stealth. Players initially control one dwarf at a time and later control the entire team. Some of the missions have stealth game elements.[2] It is a real-time tactics game[3] that can be paused to issue commands.[2]

Development edit

The developers, Whale Rock Games, were influenced by the Commandos video game series and R. A. Salvatore's novels about Drizzt Do'Urden. The idea to make a video game about dwarves came first, and they added a universe made of stone for the dwarves to mine and explore.[2] Whale Rock Games failed to fund the game via Kickstarter in 2014, but it was accepted into the Steam Greenlight program.[4][5] It was released for PCs on February 26, 2016,[3] for Xbox One on February 24, 2017,[6] and PlayStation 4 on March 28, 2017.[7]

Reception edit

We Are the Dwarves received mixed reviews on Metacritic.[8][9] Although they said the game "shouldn’t be completely dismissed", Hardcore Gamer called it "viciously unfair" and recommended it only to hardcore fans of the genre.[10] Digitally Downloaded said it is "different, interesting, and often quite clever".[11] 4Players criticized the game balance.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ "Dwarven astronauts in the Stone Universe". Game Developer. Informa. 28 June 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Martin, Michael (2017-03-07). "We Are the Dwarves Hands-On PC Preview". IGN. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  3. ^ a b Thomas, Lucas M. (2016-02-22). "Out This Week: Far Cry Primal, Superhot, Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow". IGN. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  4. ^ Smith, Adam (2014-06-25). "Inverted Astronauts: We Are The Dwarves". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  5. ^ Chalk, Andy (2015-12-23). "We Are the Dwarves is a "tactical exploration and combat adventure"". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  6. ^ "We Are The Dwarves (Xbox One) 2017". Pure Xbox. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  7. ^ Wilson, Jason (2017-01-04). "2017 game release-date calendar". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  8. ^ "We Are the Dwarves (PC)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  9. ^ "We Are the Dwarves (Xbox)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  10. ^ LeClair, Kyle (2016-03-08). "Review: We Are The Dwarves". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  11. ^ Sainsbury, Matt (2017-05-11). "Short 'n Sweet reviews: Indies on PS4 edition". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  12. ^ Luibl, Jörg (2016-02-26). "Test: We Are The Dwarves (Taktik & Strategie)". 4Players (in German). Retrieved 2023-04-07.