Not exactly modern, but the Captain Duck Dwarf Fortess Video Tutorial[1] is still a great tutorial.

[1]: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5A3D7682BDD48FC2

The Wiki is probably the most up to date resource: https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Quickstart_gu...

It's really not that difficult once you get started, especially if you're used to learning some esoteric keybinds.

I would second this and highly recommend using the Starter Pack[0] previously known as the Lazy Newb Pack. It contains DFHack, tilesets and just really streamlines the user experience.

[0] http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=126076.0

You can use dfhack to run the game, which provides some niceties [0]. There are graphical packs; many people like Phoebus. You can also use an external program like Dwarf Therapist for dwarf management, which becomes necessary once you have a lot of dwarves.

[0]: https://docs.dfhack.org/en/stable/docs/Introduction.html

Consider playing rimworld. Its the same idea with less depth but a whole lot more approachable.

The new DLC is amazing as well!

There's an officially-supported skin with good sprite-based graphics. It's still a bit in progress however. https://www.kitfoxgames.com/press/sheet.php?p=dwarf_fortress

An article for you https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/Utility:Lazy_Newb_Pa...

Wait for steam version

Or don't if you want the full "meta" experience.

failing is considered part of the fun of the game [1]. so just download it and start going.

[1] https://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/DF2014:Losing