Minecraft, a Java-based game that works across Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux (and presumably other Java platforms), is a bit of a throwback to the earlier and more experimental days of PC gaming. Despite its simplistic graphics, obscure user interface, and lack of any real goals or plot, Minecraft has managed to tap into something compelling enough to encourage over four million people to purchase a copy before it was officially released this weekend.
Gameplay
Minecraft is a massive sandbox made out of bricks of material. You can collect it by doing things like chopping wood, digging dirt or sand, mining rock or copper, growing wheat, and so on. Many materials may be processed into other materials -- wood into lumber, lumber into workbenches or doors, sand into glass, and so on. It's also very simple to collect blocks and place them to create structures.
Setting up shelter for the first night.
A typical game may start
like this:
- The player "punches" at trees to gather wood.
- The player converts the wood to planks of lumber using the inventory screen.
- The lumber is converted to a workbench in the inventory screen.
- The workbench is placed on the ground.
- The player converts some of the lumber to sticks.
By the second night, the space could be
enlarged to fit a furnace and chest.
- The player uses the workbench to construct a wood mining pick from lumber and sticks.
- This pick can excavate rock and coal, so the player uses the pick to dig into the side of a hill.
- If the player manages to find a coal vein, the pick is used to mine some coal as well.
- The player might then assemble some torches using sticks and coal.
- When night approaches, the player can go into the hole in the side of the hill, drop a couple of blocks to cover the entrance, and be protected from the zombies that approach at night.
Although the primary appeal of Minecraft is in building, a prefunctory attempt has been made to add survival and adventure aspects to the game. Like the aforementioned zombies, other creatures appear at night in the outdoors and dwell in underground caverns that can be stumbled upon while excavating. It's necessary to prepare and eat food, and armor and weapons can be forged and equipped. Minecraft certainly won't be confused with other popular first-person action role-playing games, but the quirkiness of a miner having to take a break to harvest wheat and slay a gigantic spider or two works in Minecraft's favor.
Creative mode
A hut, in the air, at sunrise.
For those who just want to build models out of giant blocks, the game supports "creative mode" where the player has infinite building materials, can fly, and doesn't really need to worry about monsters, food, or lava.
Minecraft also supports multiplayer servers, where little towns or collaborations on massive projects can be found. Some impressive things have been built in Minecraft, such as a functional (in-game) printer or a model of the Riksdagshuset.
Conclusion
Although Minecraft is a little rough around the edges, it's definitely fun to play around in. The Minecraft Wiki contains much more information about the game, including crafting recipes and updates about new features. Despite finally having been "released" Minecraft is still in active development, with additional content such as Capture the Flag in the plans.
Minecraft
Studio: Mojang
Genre: Sandbox
Available for: PC, Mac, Linux (and other Java platforms?)
Price: $26.95
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