Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition Review

Ever wanted a game where you can mine, build and generally do anything you want without
worrying about storylines and missions? If so this is the game for you. Minecraft lets you
build anything that you can think up with the use of blocks.

You may be thinking if there is no storyline or any sort of structure to the game where can
the fun be? Well, to be honest I don't know what it is about Minecraft but when you start to
play you will find it hard to turn off. When you load up the game it is quite apparent that
this isn't your normal game where graphics are key, because all of the company names are
set out in 16-bit graphics and this is how the game continues. You can, if you feel that you need a helping hand in getting to grips with the controls, use a tutorial that will let you see all the tools and different types of blocks throughout the game.

As you start a new world you will get a menu that will let you name your world, and a box that says ‘world seed’. In this box you can put anything in from a line of random numbers and letters to real words. This box will be the "code" for your new world and will determine everything in it. The game starts with you appearing from the spawn point on the map, which I found out could be anywhere, as I have ended up spawning in the water a couple of times. From the spawn you will need to find yourself some materials to start making tools to go mining for the good stuff; that is iron, gold and diamond. The best way to start is to get quite a few blocks of wood and work your way up.

Obviously the game is not just about mining but crafting and building anything that your mind will let you. So when you have enough materials from your trips down the mines you've dug and the hills you have climbed, you can start crafting. The best thing to start with will be a house, because if you have the difficulty on anything other than ‘peaceful’, the night time will become a survival against zombies, bow-wielding skeletons and creepers exploding near you. When you build a house you will have a safe area where you can't get attacked, and if you make a bed, when night comes you can go to sleep and will awaken in the morning which will help you avoid all attacks. Peaceful difficulty will let you work all through the day and night without the threat of getting attacked.

When you get bored of playing by yourself you can let friends join in, either via Xbox Live
(eight players) or split-screen (four players). But if you want to play split-screen you will
need to have your Xbox connected to your TV in HD mode over 720p. The multiplayer can
be of real use because with your friends helping you can building anything you want, only
faster. But if your friend has made the map on their console, you will not be able to access
it when they aren’t online.

Overall Minecraft is a game where you can let your mind take over and not worry about
stories and missions. I would recommend this game to anyone who wants a game that
you can lose hours in by just building and want to pass the time. The game may look very
dated with the 16-bit graphics but this really added to the selling point of the game.