I think good mouse support wouldn't remove the ability to navigate menus using keystrokes - but for tasks like drawing out farms, the dig squares for a residential block or dragging and dropping workshops into the right place... that's where I think it'll shine.

I don't dislike the keyboard approach used right now but DF hack and it's digging templates has clearly demonstrated that folks feel the lack of good dig designation sorely.

I agree! I hope that's something the developers (eventually) builds out, as (hopefully) the Steam release brings in much deserved and new revenue.

Tangentially, I remember the MoMA devoting a large chunk of a wall in its video game exhibit to the Dwarf Fortress ASCII display. The graphical tiles look great but the sheer density of ASCII definitely had retro appeal.

https://www.moma.org/collection/works/164920

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zokuga/6090624165/