Hammerting: A Vertical Dwarven Colony Sim
Hammerting is a vertical dwarven mining colony simulation with RPG elements developed by Warpzone Studios and published by Team17 Digital. Released for PC on October 26, 2020, this strategy game tasks players with managing a clan of highly individualized dwarves to establish a thriving underground economy. As a war ravages the surface world, your dwarven allies pledge to delve deep into the mountains of Mara to produce and supply the goods needed for the war effort. From humble beginnings with a few hurried workers, your goal is to expand a base that spans kilometers and become renowned throughout the Upper Realms for unmatched artisanship.
Strategic Gameplay and Colony Management
At its core, Hammerting is a complex strategy game that merges colony building with factory simulation mechanics. Players utilize a drag-and-drop interface to select areas of rock, directing dwarves to clear them block by block to make space for new structures. You must construct specialized rooms in an XCOM-style layout, including quarries for granite, foundries for metal ingots, smithies for weapons, and farms for food. Progression is driven by a tech tree where you acquire higher-level technology using currencies like Mountain Lore and Trade Lore. As your operation grows, automation becomes essential. You can construct conveyor belts and elevators to streamline logistics and free your dwarves from manual labor.
The game is often compared to titles like Oxygen Not Included, but it distinguishes itself by focusing primarily on growth and trade rather than survival mechanics. The overworld serves as a 4X game playing in the background, where your success in fulfilling requests from surface allies determines the outcome of the conflict. Economy management is crucial; you must build developed trade routes to sell surplus items and acquire resources you cannot produce. If you fail to supply the overworld with enough quests, your allies will lose the war, leading to your defeat. Players must also venture into the unknown depths to discover rarer materials and face hostile enemies that threaten the colony.
Dwarf Personalities and Deep Crafting Systems
One of the standout features of Hammerting is its emphasis on dwarf individuality. Each character is defined by rich stats, dwarven ancestry, traits, abilities, and equipment. Dwarves possess distinct personalities and independent goals that may not always align with the player's directives, requiring careful management of strengths and weaknesses. For instance, you might need to account for an explorer's fear of the dark or a master crafter reaching their "Ballmer Peak" to achieve maximum efficiency. Events in a dwarf's life can grant new abilities and traits, adding to the long-term simulation depth.
Crafting in Hammerting offers incredible depth. Skilled dwarves can engage in complex processes, such as haggling a Crystal Cave Dragon to sell her fiery plasma breath, which is then pumped into an Andthril Forge of Doom to craft an Iron Sword +2. Players must fulfill specific requests from the overworld, ranging from silver swords against a vampire army to a Legendary Diamond-Encrusted Gold Crown of Divine Ruling +3 for an elf princess's coronation. Successfully delivering these items brings rewards and brings victory closer to your allies.
Who Should Play Hammerting?
Hammerting is designed for players who enjoy deep simulation games and complex management challenges. It appeals to fans of factory builders, 4X strategy games, and those who appreciate detailed character systems. The game is known for its steep learning curve and the massive overload of information players must manage, but it rewards persistence with an addictive loop where frustration marries fun. If you are looking for a time-sink that challenges your organizational skills while offering the satisfaction of building a legendary dwarven empire from the ground up, Hammerting delivers a distinctive and engaging experience.
