Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition Review

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition

Publisher: Microsoft Developer: Mojang / 4J Studios Platform: Microsoft Xbox 360 Players: 1-4 (Local), 2-8 (Online) Release: 2012 Genre: Sandbox / Adventure Rating: 9.3 \ 10.0: Excellent



Above are several people playing together through Xbox Live

I've said it twice before, and I'll say it one last time-- for those of you I don't know, Minecraft is a popular 3D sandbox game for PC (which I reviewed and gave an incredible score of 9.7) with retro-style graphics. In it, you "mine" various types of blocks and use them to build whatever you desire. It was ported from PC to portable phones as Minecraft: Pocket Edition (which I have reviewed as well and gave a still-exceptional 8.3), and later to the Xbox 360 as Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition (which I am currently reviewing and gave an 9.3). The edition I'm explaining in this review, Xbox 360, has most of the content of the computer edition, but not all of it. It's mostly the same-- when you create a world, you can choose from three modes-- Survival, in which you must use the world's resources to build a shelter and survive waves of monsters that appear at nighttime, such as zombies, skeletons equipped with bows, and exploding green Creepers; Creative mode, in which you're given unlimited of every block and item to create whatever you desire; and Adventure Mode, a variant of Survival in which you can only break block with the proper tool. Also, they're are world settings. You can make a normal world or make the world Super Flat world, which is, as the title implies, is entirely flat aside from pre-generated structures. But now you can control options such as whether or not TNT can explode, for example. There's also a tutorial for newcomers, in which you can learn about many of the game's features and also go on a fun hunt for 14 music discs, which are stored away in hidden chests. To find them all, you'll have to explore an elaborate village, a large tower, a mossy dungeon, and more creative locales which I have yet to discover. Also, you can invite up to seven Xbox Live friends to your game, or join theirs, making it much easier to play with pals privately. Or, if you please,  if you have an HD TV, you can just invite up to three of your (present) friends to join in and play all in the same room. Additionally, the game comes with a free default skin pack, which allows you to change the appearance of your character, and you can download more. These skins include original skins as well as ones based on characters from other video games. There are also downloadable texture packs which change the look of the game. But sadly, unlike the PC / Mac version, there are no online multiplayer servers. like Pocket Edition as well. There are even some version-exclusive features, such as Host Options, which allow the creator of the world you're playing in to fly or become invisible, among other things. There's also an online leaderboard that allows you and your friends to compare stats. I have only a couple complaints. First of all, you may experience some lag issues when playing online. I could care less, but I will mention that those seeking to play on multiplayer servers will have nothing to look forward to. Also, while the game does have a good deal of the original version's content, it's still hard not to notice when you want to place a fancy spruce door at the entrance of your exquisite manor but can't. These items will hopefully be added at some point. These are small flaws, and Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition delivers a very enjoyable Minecraft experience on a console, and it may keep those that don't own this must-have sandbox hit on their computer hooked for a long time.

Ups
Multiplayer
Xbox Live multiplayer
Downloadable skin / texture packs
Most of the content of the computer version

Downs
Multiplayer lag issues
No servers
Missing content is noticeable

Also available on Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita

ESRB: E 10+ Content: Fantasy Violence Price: $19.99 (Retail / Download)

Minecraft Review

Minecraft

Publisher: Mojang Developer: Mojang Platform: PC Players: 1-100 (LAN / Online) Release: 2011 Genre:  Sandbox / Adventure Rating: 9.7 \ 10.0: Masterful

Above is gameplay from Survival mode

I've played the Pocket Edition. I've played the Xbox 360 Edition. But of all the versions of Minecraft, I think that the best, although there are some who don't agree, is the computer version. As I mentioned in my Minecraft: Pocket Edition review, Minecraft is a popular 3D sandbox game with retro-style graphics in which you 'mine' various blocks and use them to create whatever you desire. This edition features more content than any other version of Minecraft, being the first version. But Minecraft is more than it sounds-- far more. It's become a cultural phenomenon! It's about exploring lush valleys, dry desserts, snow-capped forests, dense jungles, and dank, dark caves, all in a world where the only limit is your imagination, in a game with no goal but the one you set for yourself. Minecraft can be difficult, but it has something for every player. In Survival mode, you must gather resources and build a shelter, then craft tools and armor to mine ores and slay to hordes of monsters that come out at night. And if you feel as if you're a pro, you can play Hardcore mode, in which the difficulty is locked on Hard, and as soon as you die, the world is deleted. In Creative mode, you're given an unlimited supply of every block and item, invincibility (although you can die by digging past the bottom layer of bedrock in the world and falling out), and the abilities to fly and break blocks instantly to build whatever you want. And in case you still want to collect items, you can access a Survival-style inventory (with no crafting interface) to store loot. But once you Survival inventory is full, you can still collect items without storing them-- not so good for collecting strategists. The procedurally generated worlds modes create suspenseful scenarios that make your heart race when playing Survival. Hearing the moaning and growling of zombies or the clicking of skeleton's bones in a cave is frightening no matter how prepared you are, even more so if you discover a spawner. My most memorable situation is when I was double-checking a cave I had discovered for minerals. I hadn't made the cavern bright enough to prevent monsters from spawning, and a Creeper had came our from around the corner. I should have brought along my strong, durable iron armor in case of this, but I foolishly decided to wear out my weak leather gear. I was unable to kill the Creeper, and it exploded. I was fine, but the explosion destroyed a stone cube that held a silverfish egg, and I was assaulted by a swarm of the pesky pests. My iron sword was able to kill them in several hits, but not before they tore through 75% of my health. When only one silverfish remained, I accidentally pressed F5 and changed my perspective, but was still able to slay the monster that was obscured by my body in third-person. It's moments like this that make Minecraft stand out above action games littered with setpiece moments. There are also other dimensions to explore: the Nether, a underworld-like cavern full of fire, lava lakes, and evil beasts; and the End, where you face the mighty Ender Dragon and armies of tall, slender Endermen. Slaying the dragon is completely optional, but those that wish to "beat" Minecraft can undertake this difficult quest. There are even adjustable world settings-- you can have a standard world, a Super Flat world, a Large Biomes world, or an Amplified world (for "beefy" computers only). Another great feature is the game's quirky sense of humor. There may be no storyline to show it, but the game has a quirky sense of humor. For example, the title screen displays one of countless messages that always make me chuckle. "Fat free"? "Colormatic" (in rainbow lettering)? "Totally forgot about Dre"? "Kind of dragon free?" (The latter references the totally real Ender Dragon) Additionally, the calming blend of piano and techno music by indie artist C418 is great and suits the game perfectly-- except when battling demonic monstrosities in the MC equivalent of the underworld, in which case the serene sounds are hilariously ironic. One of the best things about this game is how much user-generated content is available to you if you wish to alter your experience. Don't like the plain old Steve look? Get a new skin made by a player, or create your own! Tired of standard Minecraft? Download or create a mod or a server (or a modified server)! Don't even like how the game looks?! Get a texture pack! Want a world just for you and your friends? Host a private LAN game! The greatest part of Minecraft is that it's constantly expanding! Every once in a while, the game will be updated. This isn't like some MMO expansion pack-- updating Minecraft is 100% free! The only problem with Minecraft is that there's more the game could have, and that's really saying something given that there's been an more than acceptable amount of content even since I began playing at Version 1.4.5. But hey, players hoped for ages that the game would eventually add horses, because it is fun to ride a pig, but not very productive. Version 1.6.0 added not only horses, but donkeys as well! Minecraft is one of the greatest, but not best, things that has ever happened in the world of gaming, and at just $26.95, I highly suggest you download it for yourself!

Ups
Tons of freedom
Endless possibilities
Modes for every player
Charming retro graphics
Quirky sense of humor
Great, calming soundtrack

Downs
Some items are desired but not present

Also available on mobile devices, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita.

ESRB: E 10+ Content: Fantasy Violence Price: $26.95 (Download)