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Minecraft game review

Since it first hit PCs a couple of years ago, Minecraft has taken the world by storm. There’s now a yearly MineCon convention. And Minecraft has even been taught in schools. Now, the game has sold a million copies within a few days of its release on Xbox Live.

MINECRAFT
Mojang for Xbox Live

Gameplay: 8.8
Graphics: 8.5
Sound: 8.0
Replay Value: 9.0
Overall Score: 8.8

Pros: Make your own creations. Blocky world feels real. Co-op ability.

Cons: World is slightly smaller than on the PC. Inventory is harder to navigate.

MINECRAFT 101

In case you don’t know, Minecraft is a building game. It’s a little like LEGO and a little like Lincoln Logs. You take various textured cubes and build what you want.

So where does the mining come in? The word “mine” is used loosely here. Gathering up trees is, in a sense, mining. You turn them into wood and then make your own structures. Finding the materials to make your own tools to build the wood into, say, a mansion, is mining, too.

It’s not just fun, it’s also really creative. You’re limited only by your own brain … and the time you put in.

ON XBOX LIVE

So let’s see if the Xbox Live version is as deep as the PC version.

First, the Xbox game lets you play co-op with friends and has its own crafting system to make things like tools. Since I’m a console guy, I enjoy making my structures with the controller as opposed to the PC mouse.

And there are tips galore, even as the game loads for the first time. The tutorials also make the game more kid friendly. With the original Minecraft for the PC, there was a ton of detective work you had to do. You had to figure out which substance would make what tool or piece of castle. That kind of research can be fun if you have nothing but time on your hands.

Now there is help for you along the way. Some say the tutorials lessen the magic. I say they add to it. You spend more of your time making things instead of puzzling over how to do things.

COOL AND CHALLENGING

When you dive into Minecraft, the experience is immediately really cool and charming. Simple piano music plays as you arrive on the shores of a beach. Use the right controller trigger to dig into the Earth and cut wood from trees. I didn’t make anything grand and glorious right away. I just set up the beginnings of a small shack by the sea.

Then, darkness fell. A square block of a moon rose high in the sky, and stars twinkled. As I stood there and gawked at nature’s beauty, I heard some steps behind me. Since I was kind of hypnotized by the sights, I didn’t realize it was a Creeper, one of the annoying monsters of Minecraft. I heard a ka-pow, and wham, I lost half my health.

My shelter wasn’t finished, and I couldn’t hide from him!

So I swam out to sea and stayed on a sandbar until morning. The Creeper, a handless creature with a twisted, angry mouth, isn’t always a night owl. Stay away from him during the day or night. He can blow up structures you make, too.

IT’S YOUR WORLD

There are plenty of achievements to get as you go along, such as when you make a furnace, open your inventory for the first time or catch a fish. Eventually, you’ll learn to make fire and electricity. If you play a really long time, you might even find the elusive Ender Dragon.

The graphics in Minecraft are old school, a nod to the early days of video games. But that’s the glory of Minecraft. If it looked too realistic, like Gran Turismo or even The Sims, it wouldn’t have the signature style that makes this game unique.

So go wild on Minecraft. Build like a modern architect. Build like a steampunk novelist. Build like a pioneer. Build high or long or with moats and forests. Build a Scout jamboree park. Then, tear it all down if you like.

This is your world. And Minecraft is a wonderful mirror that is nothing if not a reflection of you.

93 Comments on Minecraft game review

  1. never dig right down.

  2. I don't know // June 5, 2012 at 10:05 am // Reply

    the Pc version is ten times better, but both are amazing…and i thought when creepers blow up they’re kinda, well, blown up; gone, you might say.

  3. minecraft is the best game in the world

  4. i want to get it but my parents won’t let me!!!!

  5. Just got it few days ago, love it! I play with my friends, working on kingdom!

  6. awesome

  7. Why!!! I was killed by a creeper!!! Why!!!

  8. RexMaximus // June 2, 2012 at 1:45 pm // Reply

    im getting it in a week

  9. I killed the ender dragon

  10. i like pc better, but both is good. (ESPECIALLY WITH FRIENDS!!!)

  11. Derby Town Racing Boss // June 1, 2012 at 3:42 pm // Reply

    I love minecraft, I played it at myfriends house and went and ffound where the zombies spawn.

  12. This game is awesome!!!!

  13. theminecrafter // May 31, 2012 at 8:06 pm // Reply

    minecraft=epic=fun minecraft is the most awesome game ever!

  14. i am awesome!!

  15. does minecraft work on mac? I would buy it if it did.

  16. i love this game i have made a diamond castle, a gold castle , a lapis lazuli castle, and many more thank you notch and jeb for this amazing game!!!

  17. PC is way better than xbox.

  18. itwas worth the 30 dollars + the thousands of dollars of interest on my credit card. >:U

  19. I dont have the game but i heard it was great!

  20. jackrocks12 // May 28, 2012 at 5:13 pm // Reply

    hey if you go to there website there is a free one but it is not as fun

  21. Creeper200 // May 27, 2012 at 8:34 pm // Reply

    The 360 one is aswome i built lots of cool stuff at my server.

  22. Here’s what I would do: If you have a PC, go ahead and get the full version. You’ll probably get the money on your next birthday, or just find jobs to do around your neighborhood. It’s only $20. At least go ahead and make an account so you can try Minecraft Classic. If you have an Xbox, go ahead and get it for that, too. But, considering the PC version has much more, like the hunger bar and the end, I’d get it if you have to choose.
    Also, don’t get any free or “cracked” versions. A scout is trustworthy, after all.

    • pedro on a tuesday // May 28, 2012 at 9:29 am // Reply

      Yoman,
      Thank you! This helped a lot. Can I change a right click setting to a left click or something? Also, can I play on a mac?

    • minecraft boss destroyor // July 13, 2012 at 6:50 pm // Reply

      But you have to have xbox live to play minecraft

  23. coolkidsap // May 27, 2012 at 4:19 pm // Reply

    the PC version is cool, but i have not tried the Xbox version

  24. Wow gamer // May 26, 2012 at 8:18 pm // Reply

    I LOVE MINECRAFT!!

    LONG LIVE MY MINECRAFT DOGS, BON AND ROSE!!!

  25. whats the hardest enemy to kill? a creeper?

  26. da shotput // May 26, 2012 at 4:23 pm // Reply

    Minecraft rocks, I’m trying to build a diamond hotel in creative.

  27. who here likes minecraft! XD! i do! my favorite mob is an enderman. how about u guys?

  28. pedro on a tuesday // May 26, 2012 at 7:23 am // Reply

    I have seen your comments and thank you for helping me..The other problem is: I have a mac..What do you need to be able to play minecraft with people?? Can I even play on a mac??

  29. Pokeboy54 // May 26, 2012 at 6:21 am // Reply

    I LOVE MINECRAFT!!!!!!!!!!

  30. Minecraft is cool I play it a lot!

  31. Minecraft MIner // May 25, 2012 at 8:11 am // Reply

    I want to get a minecraft for my computer in AUgust (my birthday month) but my mouse doesn’t have a right mouse click button. Also, how much does it cost? if you could tell me, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
    -Minecraft Miner

  32. Gemmaster40 // May 24, 2012 at 10:40 pm // Reply

    There is no_____ in XBOX version
    End
    Hunger Bar
    Sprinting
    Strongholds
    Abandoned Mine shafts
    Enderdragon

  33. MInecraft Miner // May 24, 2012 at 5:51 pm // Reply

    Hi I want to get this for my birthday on the computer but the bad thing is this: my mouse doesn’t have a right click button!!! I have a mac and still want to be able to enjoy Minecraft for the money I spend on it…Also, if you know how much money it is on the computer I will really appreciate it!! Thank You!!
    -Minecraft Miner

    • Anonymous // May 27, 2012 at 9:33 am // Reply

      Minecraft currently costs $26.95. Also, on a mac, the right-click button is ctrl+mouse. But it could still be really hard to use, so I recommend changing the controls in the options.

  34. mine craft lover // May 24, 2012 at 5:15 pm // Reply

    Mine craft is the best purchase i ever made!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  35. awesomecrafter // May 24, 2012 at 2:49 pm // Reply

    MINECRAFT IS AWESOME IVE BEEN ENJOYING IT SINCE 2 YRS AGO!!!

  36. minecraft is awesome // May 24, 2012 at 2:48 pm // Reply

    nice review! BTW creepers don’t actually make sound unless you hit them or when the blow up or are about to blow up. 😉

  37. luc (addicted minecrafter) // May 24, 2012 at 2:47 pm // Reply

    ive liked minecraft since 2 years ago!i first saw 2 pepole playin it at the stow library and i decidet to play it since then i became addicted to it (there is also a game called terraria closely related to it)

  38. thank you notch!

  39. i built a camp

  40. I have played minecraft for like year and a half so far, and I really enjoy it. It is my favorite videogame and I love to get into severs and the awsome mods you can install.

  41. awesome guy // May 24, 2012 at 11:30 am // Reply

    total miner is way beter than minecraft

  42. awesome guy // May 24, 2012 at 11:28 am // Reply

    total miner is WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! better than minecraft

    • The unknown // May 25, 2012 at 8:41 am // Reply

      mine craft is the awesomest game ever. i am totally hooked!

    • total miner is NOT better than minecraft. it is just a knockoff of minecraft.

    • RICHAAARGH // May 27, 2012 at 9:39 am // Reply

      I don’t know that much about total miner, but what I DO know is how much it copies Minecraft. In fact, it is almost EXACTLY the same as Minecraft (except for a few tweaks in the textures). And just so you know, Minecraft came out first, so it’s a fact that TM ripped off MC.

  43. XxBxRxOxKxExNxX // May 24, 2012 at 5:53 am // Reply

    I wonder if you connect your messaging thingy-whatever to your controller,it’ll probably be like the PC Edition? I wonder if they have all the items from 1.1-PC Edition? Currently Minecrafters, (like me,) We have 1.2.5. I build tons of cool things, I even make vids ’bout my Minecraft on Youtube.

  44. love the game

  45. I LOVE MINECRAFT SO MUCH IT IS THE BEST!!!!!

  46. MinecraftCrafterKing // May 23, 2012 at 8:33 pm // Reply

    Minecraft rocks on 360.Who hates it??? when playing it a bit hard on first day no shelter.Just build!!!!!!(Avoid creepers,skeletons,zombies,spiders,etc)a few issues
    1.maybe more action into crafting things like wood to planks
    2.A bit of storyline(not to be picky)
    3.people and maybe soldiers
    4.more daytime to build.
    Those could improve the game but still great.PEOPLES BE PREPARED FOR CREEPERS AND ENJOY MINECRAFT!!!!!! (LETS GET THE MOST PEOPLE TO PLAY)

  47. the best game ever created! thank you Notch!!!!!

  48. This is a positive review (which is good) But there are a few misleading things.
    -Redstone is not simple, it is infact very hard.
    -There is no Ender dragon (Yet.) Strongholds are not in the Xbox version(yet.)
    Xbox MC is great, it’s just not quite as up to date as PC.

  49. Actually there is no End in the 360 edition…

  50. Minecraft is the coolest! BUILD! BUILD! BUILD! BUILD! BUILD! BUILD! BUILD!

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