Not again…
It all started with a single block. I began crafting a house out of wood I cut from a nearby tree. This is when my addiction manifested. Building and digging are only a small portion of what makes Minecraft so engaging, but it was all it took to rope me into the phenomenon. Explaining why this game is so addictive is impossible. Describing how it works to unfamiliar players doesn’t sell it, but there is clearly something about it that draws players in. It is destined to be one of the best-selling games of all-time, and I am once again addicted to the ridiculous simplicity of this blocky world with the release on new consoles.
Minecraft is everywhere. Whether anyone knows it or not, this is the new Mario. Kids are playing it everywhere. This is the new video game addiction. Of course, it has also been released on every platform conceivable, and now Xbox One and PlayStation 4 owners can get in on the building.
This would take forever to build.
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, XB1, 360
MSRP: $20
Price I’d pay: $20
Multiplayer: 4-player split screen/online
For the uninitiated, Minecraft is a game that sets out to let players run wild with their imagination. Building, digging, and surviving are the key ingredients, but there is so much more than that. I have always looked at it like an adult-sized version of LEGOs. I could build what I want, while also exploring the world and sharing it with friends. This version supports local as well as online co-op so players can share their world and experience with everyone.
With the new consoles not much has changed. The game still carries its trademark blocked-style, but now maps are 36 times larger than the previous console iterations. Owners of the 360 and PS3 iterations of the game also have the ability to upgrade for a much smaller fee. The game carries a $20 price tag, but if players owned the original console release, they can snatch it up for just $5. This is like getting that first hit for free.
And then I killed the dragon.
One of the other big changes is the addition of more Achievements and Trophies. With Xbox One I could now track my progress toward several goals. This is as addictive as it sounds. Also, the inclusion of skins for the characters and worlds is a nice touch. I could also demo any set (though saving was disabled).
It is clear Minecraft is an absolute beast in terms of sales. With the pending purchase of developer Mojang by Microsoft, I wonder where the series will venture to next. Still, there is a lot of things to see and do, and if you are one of the five people that have yet to experience this game, there has never been a better time than now. Now if only that Vita version would finally drop I could satisfy my addiction on-the-go.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
