Welcome!

Are you a gamer? Want semi-expert opinions on new and old games both popular and overlooked? Then this site is right for you!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Minecraft: Pocket Edition Review

Minecraft: Pocket Edition
Publisher: Mojang Developer: Mojang Platform: Apple iOS Players: 1-5 (LAN Multiplayer) Release: 2011 Genre: Sandbox / Adventure Rating: 8.3 \ 10.0: Great

Above is gameplay of Survival mode

Minecraft: Pocket Edition is a portable edition of the PC hit, Minecraft, and although it's a little highly priced for an Apple App Store game ($6.99) and lacks  content found in the original version (several block types, the ability to craft, cook, and put objects in chests in Creative mode), it's still a blast to play. It has several advantages over its counterparts, such as solid modifiable touch controls. There's no keyboard, a but arrow icons and a jump icon to replace the W, A, S, and D keys and space bar, and you can simply tap an object to attack it instead of left-clicking. Although the touch interface originally made it seem impossible, you are now able to sprint and . And also, you don't have to go online and log on-- you don't even need a username or password, but you have an editable default username for Multiplayer mode, "Stevie", or "Steve". For those of you who don't know about Minecraft, it's a 3D sandbox game with retro-style graphics in which you dig up various blocks to build shelters. Well, that's the general idea of Survival mode, in which you must mine all the blocks you can and kill animals for food. At night, evil creatures come out. Zombies, skeletons armed with bows, explosive, four-legged creatures called Creepers, and spiders attack at night. Zombies and skeletons burn up in the sun,  but Creepers can survive in daylight, and spiders won't attack during the day unless you provoke them. In Creative mode, your given unlimited of (nearly) every resource to build whatever you desire. You are also able to host a game with up to four other people over Wi-Fi, a feature which has allowed for some of the best gaming experiences I've had with friends. It is possible for an obnoxious sibling or anyone else on your Wi-Fi network to intrude you and your pal's world, but this is an unlikely scenario. You are also able to access external online servers, but the process of logging into one is complex and frustrating. Although Minecraft: Pocket Edition is missing a good chunk of the content of its PC counterpart, it's still a very enjoyable experience that's slowly growing throughout updates, and one of the best titles available on the App Store.

Ups
Easy controls
It's portable Minecraft!
Fun Multiplayer mode

Downs
Missing content

Also available on other mobile devices.

ESRB: E 10+ Content: Fantasy Violence Price: $6.99 (Download)