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Minecraft is a gaming phenomenon like no other.
Officially launching at the end of 2011, by 2014 Minecraft had become the single best-selling video game of all time. Ten years after it launched it had sold over 238 million copies around the world, and still had over 140 million active users.
With those figures in mind, you'd think a review like this in 2022 would be pretty redundant. But the game continues to evolve and find a new audience, so if you're unsure if Minecraft is for you, hopefully I can help you decide!
You Mine, You Craft
When it comes to Minecraft, if you're asking yourself 'what's it all about then', you need look no further than the game's title.
There's an old adage that goes 'It does exactly what it says on the tin', and Minecraft is possibly the best example of that the gaming world has ever seen. Your pixelated character predominantly does two things; mine for resources and craft things from them. Of course, there's a lot more to the game lying under the surface, but those are your basics right there. The number of different things you can mine is a formidable list though, and the things you can craft from them are almost immeasurable.
The only real boundaries are the limits of your imagination... and occasionally running out of wood or cobblestone. During the game's beta period, mining and crafting were pretty much all you got. That was a huge draw for players who just wanted to express themselves in an open world environment. But the game's creator 'Notch' realised some players needed a goal to aim for to remain invested.
The Ender Dragon gave players that focus, if they wanted it. Introduced in the first full release of the game, 'The End' was implemented in such a way that it had to be sought out with a set of specific actions. This meant players who were happy to build things and have fun didn't need to bother with it, and those who wanted a 'purpose' now had one. Since then, the game has continued to expand with new items to craft, animals, mobs (aka things that want to kill you), biomes and NPCs.
Thousands of skins and asset packs have been released over the years too, from ones based around mythical creatures to franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog and Spongebob.
Ways To Play
There are four ways to play Minecraft; Creative, Survival, Hardcore and Adventure.
Creative is your 'God Mode' option, allowing the player complete control over the world. Unlimited access to resources, which can be placed anywhere with complete free reign. Sandbox is aimed at players who just want to dump out all their creativity with no barriers and no chance of a Creeper destroying all their hard work. It's also a great place for younger players to start, as it removes the threat of enemies. Despite their cartoony appearance, some of the mobs can still be quite scary if they catch you by surprise.
Survival mode is the more typical way to play. The player drops into a map with nothing, and has until it gets dark to craft either a shelter or a weapon to deal with the mobs that come out at night. Survive that first night and the world is your oyster to do as you please.
Hardcore mode is only available in the Java (PC) version of the game, and is exactly how it sounds. Everything is as difficult as it can get, and most notably, there are no respawns. When you die, you die for good. Hardcore mode is perfect for groups of friends looking for a challenge, or wanting to make an engrossing YouTube series. For most players though, the thought of losing hours of hard work because they slipped off a ledge or mined into a lava seam, it just isn't worth it.
Finally, Adventure mode is for those who want to tell a story, or those that want even more of a focus than Survival mode offers. Adventure mode increases the options on offer in the standard Creative mode. Map builders can add storylines to their worlds, and also the ability to stop players breaking certain blocks to skip ahead.
Building Adventure maps is best reserved for the most seasoned of creative geniuses, but playing them can be fun for everyone.
What's Mine Is Yours
Mining alone can be quite relaxing, like taking a lone fishing trip or a solitary walk in the countryside. But Minecraft is a game best played with others. Many hands make light work, and barring any architectural disagreements things move a lot faster when there are more players.
Gathering and pooling resources, orchestrating big builds, heading into the nether are all easier as a team. It's also a huge benefit having someone to watch your back, especially in the depths of a newly discovered cave system or underwater temple.
Full chat support means you can stay in constant communication with your clan too, making it a breeze to coordinate your next project.
Pixel Perfect
For those that like to express their creativity in pixel form, Minecraft is just about the perfect game. It's fun to play alone, even better with friends and there always seems to be something new to discover or try out. Getting lost in a cave with no equipment can be frustrating, but you'll soon learn to plan ahead for the next trip. If you're not a fan of laid-back gameplay then it might not appeal to you so much, but the rogue-like spin-off Minecraft Dungeons might be more your cup of tea.
Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time for good reason, and if it hasn't found a place in your collection yet you should pick it up today. After all, 140 million monthly players can't be wrong!
