I downloaded a text adventure called Dwarf Fortress, and my first impression was: "Wow!" Before you can play the computer generates a world. It's amazing, it really is. You watch as the screen fills with text, detailing everything it generates. The detail was far beyond anything I've ever seen, it listed everything from the vegetation of the world to the historical figures that lived in it. (and even how many there were!) The several hundred spontaneously generated landmarks were particularly impressive, and the name randomizer for them was equally awesome. Before my eyes I witnessed 1,050 years of history create itself, and then I created my character and entered the world.
My
God it was confusing! The graphics were all alphanumerical characters, and there was so much of them on screen at once. After a minute or two of play I was able to distinguish trees from mountains, but still I had no idea as to where I was. But wait, could it be? No surly not... ah, yes, there I was: The tiny "@" in the middle of the screen.
I walked around a field of "\\"'s for awhile until I encountered a fast moving "E" that I attacked. That's when I realized just
how detailed the game was. The following is the text log that filled the screen upon my attack, and keep in mind that all this occurred after just
one attack:
You strike at The Guard but the shot is blocked!
The Guard attacks You but You jump away!
The Guard charges at You from the side!
The Guard stabs You in the left upper leg from the side with her Pine spear!
It is badly pierced!
The Pine spear has lodged firmly in the wound!
The Guard collides with You!
You tangle together and tumble forward!
The Pine spear remains stuck in your left upper leg.
The Guard stands up.
The Guard is no longer stunned.
The Peasant grabs You by the fourth toe, left foot from behind with his left lower arm!
You punch The Peasant in the right lower leg with your right hand!
It is bruised!
The Peasant releases the grip of The Peasant's left lower arm on Your fourth toe, left foot.
The Peasant grabs You by the upper body with his right upper arm!
The Guard bashes You in the right lower leg with her Oaken shield!
It is bruised!
The Peasant punches You in the left hand with his right hand!
It is bruised!
Your second finger, left hand has been badly bruised!
The Guard bashes You in the left lower arm with her Oaken shield!
It is bruised!
You struggle in vain against the grip of The Peasant's right upper arm on Your upper body.
The Peasant releases the grip of The Peasant's right upper arm on Your upper body.
The Guard bashes You in the left hand with her Oaken shield!
It is battered!
The Peasant grabs You by the fourth finger, left hand with his left lower arm!
The Guard bashes You in the right lower leg with her Oaken shield!
It is battered!
The Peasant punches You in the head with his left hand!
It is bruised!
The Guard bashes You in the left lower arm with her Oaken shield!
It is battered!
The Peasant punches You in the left hand with his right hand!
The shot glances away.
You punch The Peasant in the left lower arm with your left hand!
It is bruised!
The Guard bashes You in the lower body with her Oaken shield!
It is bruised!
The Peasant punches You in the right hand with his left hand!
It is battered!
Your second finger, right hand has been badly bruised!
You give in to pain.
The Guard bashes You in the head with her Oaken shield!
It is battered!
Your brain has been bruised!
The Peasant punches You in the right hand with his right hand!
The shot glances away.
The Guard bashes You in the upper body with her Oaken shield!
It is battered!
The Peasant releases the grip of The Peasant's left lower arm on Your fourth finger, left hand.
The Guard bashes You in the lower body with her Oaken shield!
It is battered!
Your stomach has been badly bruised!
The Peasant punches You in the head with his left hand!
It is broken!
Your left eye has been blackened!
The Guard bashes You in the lower body with her Oaken shield!
It is broken!
You feel sick!
The Peasant punches You in the right upper leg with his left hand!
It is battered!
The Guard bashes You in the upper body with her Oaken shield!
It is battered!
The Peasant punches You in the right lower arm with his left hand!
It is bruised!
The Guard bashes You in the left lower leg with her Oaken shield!
The shot glances away.
The Peasant punches You in the right lower arm with his right hand!
It is broken!
The Guard bashes You in the left lower arm with her Oaken shield!
It is broken!
The Peasant punches You in the upper body with his left hand!
It is broken!
The Guard bashes You in the right upper leg with her Oaken shield!
It is broken!
The Peasant punches You in the right upper arm with his left hand!
It is bruised!
The Guard bashes You in the right hand with her Oaken shield!
It is battered!
The Peasant grabs You by the fourth toe, left foot with his right lower arm!
The Guard bashes You in the left upper leg with her Oaken shield!
It is broken!
The Peasant punches You in the upper body with his right hand!
It is mangled!
You are having trouble breathing!
The Guard bashes You in the upper body with her Oaken shield!
It collapses into a lump of gore!
You have been struck down.
Needless to say, I won't be playing that game again.
Still though, it's astounding how powerful the engine is.
