Minecraft is pure genius

For the past year or so, a new game has been out that has plagued the computers of college students and indie gamers around the world. That game, composed of a randomly generated 3D world of blocks, is called Minecraft. But until recently, it was only available as a beta. A stable release came out recently that almost every computer can use. Has the wait for the game been worth it? Oh, yeah.

The gameplay of Minecraft is simple, but clever. You basically just run across a randomly generated 3D world of blocks, mining different materials and using them to build, well, anything. The game is real-time, so anything that happens in the world overnight is seen in the world when you play it the next day. For example, if I went to bed after building a roof, but left a leak, I’d have a lot of water to deal with the next day.

As for those who think you can find a better game, I think I forgot monsters and creatures called “mobs.” You have to deal with dozens of these things that pop up out of nowhere. There are weapons, thankfully, so it’s a little less scary when you have to deal with giant spiders and giant, explosive, green guys called creepers.

But as certain as there is an awesome computer game, there’s going to be a lame mobile version with it. Mojang, the guys who created the game, came out with a mobile version on the same day as the stable release. Unlike the computer version, there’s no day or night, no monsters, and no consequences. In essence, a rip-off, although the touch controls are intuitive unlike fan-made knock-offs.

Aside from the mobile remake, Mojang did a brilliant job with Minecraft. If you don’t like the endless opportunity of building, destroying and crafting, then don’t buy this game. Otherwise, it is without a doubt a must own to anyone who is looking for time to kill.

 

By Luke VanDeWeert

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