Mojang’s Minecraft is a cultural phenomenon, as well as the best-selling video game in history. Its success has inevitably widened after the acquisition of Microsoft, so much so that it has become a multi-use product, even using it as an educational experience within schools making use of PC’s and Xbox One’s.
This is a game for everyone, almost considered as the virtual Lego of the modern era, destined to continue its race towards immortality with the next-gen version and the introduction of ray tracing. That said, it shouldn’t be surprising that Mojang tries to explore something different. Just think of the film in production, but also of Minecraft Dungeons, a dungeon crawler set right in the cube world of the Swedish software house.
This is a simple title, but also fun, satisfying and above all, suitable for the entire family. I can tell you now that Minecraft Dungeons is one of those experiences that everyone can play, also thanks to its price and Xbox Game Pass. Here is my Minecraft Dungeons review on Xbox One.
A DIFFERENT WORLD
Despite being set in the same universe, Minecraft Dungeons is different. First of all, let’s start with the fact that in this case we finally have a narrative part, although obviously not too much emphasis is placed on the story. The principal reason is due to the fact that it is an outline story. An inhabitant, unjustly ill-liked by everyone, cannot find his place in the world.
His search for a safe place leads him to the discovery of the “Orb of Dominance”, a powerful artifact that corrupts those who use it, giving it formidable power. Once the magic of the Orb of Dominance has been assimilated, he becomes an Arch-Illager and takes revenge on all those villages that in the past have refused him.
Chaos and terror are on the agenda and it is up to you, a formidable warrior, to defeat this dangerous antagonist by facing its many armies of creatures. The game immediately offers us the opportunity to choose one of the various skins available and immediately jump into the action. After a short tutorial where the basics of the game are explained, we begin our journey to defeat the Arch-Illager.
The choice of missions takes place in your camp, a central hub that, among many things, offers you the opportunity to purchase armaments and artifacts. Each level offers a description of the story and a short introductory cutscene related to the game lore. Everything is never too excessive, especially thanks to the presence of a narrator.
I noticed while doing my Minecraft Dungeons review for Xbox One, that the levels are quite large and totally procedural, but fortunately not particularly dull. However, it is important to explore, because the levels hide many secrets and hidden chests full of rare objects. It must be said that Mojang has done an excellent job from a graphic point of view.
Of course, the style of the game is still making use of cubes and surely we are not faced with a realistic and impressive visual impact, but I certainly cannot say that everything is not enjoyable, it’s quite the contrary. Between light effects and quality particles, Minecraft Dungeons offers some moments, especially in the combat phases, which are truly spectacular to witness.
ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL
Minecraft Dungeons is not a particularly difficult game, it is actually accessible for everyone. This is not a defect, it is clear that Mojang Studios want anyone to be able to approach the game. I tried to play with family members who rarely pick up controllers, yet, despite some very small initial difficulties, they began to have fun. Take note that the game is also available locally and online for up to 4 players.
I noticed while doing my Minecraft Dungeons review for Xbox One, that the gameplay is extremely intuitive. You attack with a white weapon and you shoot arrows – which you can retrieve around the level. You can equip a close weapon, a ranged weapon, an armor, and three artifacts, each of which guarantee you a certain magical power.
Each attack and defense equipment in your inventory can be “enchanted” with spells made available by the object itself, so as to make it more powerful and versatile during combat. Spells are possible thanks to enchantment points, obtainable every time you level up. Once applied, they can still be obtained once the less performing weapons are recycled.
In the game you can also recover emeralds, useful for purchasing other artifacts or armaments from the merchants. Spells, as mentioned, offer various types of power-ups, from attack speed, to additional damage, up to elemental hits. There are various types of artifacts which can be equipped with three different ones, each with a specific level and power.
You can have an artifact that allows you to shoot an arrow as an artificial fire, or one that allows you to increase the speed of movement. Rule number one is: experiment. This way you will discover different effects from time to time. To meet all the players, there are different difficulties. To be exact, there are three of them: Default, Adventure, and Apocalypse.
Each of which guarantees another 6 additional difficulties for each level, so as to guarantee the right fun for any player, from the less experienced to the more hardcore. I want to be transparent regarding that this is not a Diablo nor a Path of Exile.
YOU DIED!?
Minecraft Dungeons is an experience oriented to a wider and more casual audience, so much so that the PVP itself is also missing. But be careful, all this does not mean that you never die, on the contrary it happens countless times when you lose your skin, and even if each mission offers three lives, it can happen that you die definitively and have to start the game again.
Take note that the enemies are varied and inspired by the universe of Minecraft itself. You will find bosses like the Enderman or the Summoner, but also classic creatures such as skeletons and zombies. However, what is important to know is that the combat phases are quite dynamic, pushing you several times to exploit all the weapons and artifacts at your disposal.
Always remember that you need to take advantage of the surrounding environment, which can help you with objects or traps, such as for example the TNT. The TNT can be launched towards the enemies and easily destroy them.
I noticed while doing my Minecraft Dungeons review for Xbox One, that although the longevity is not very high, it takes around 6-7 hours to complete the story, but the adventure is highly replayable at higher difficulties. Mojang has already promised a lasting support for the game, support that will begin with the release of cross-play between the many platforms and several new additional play areas.
CONCLUSION
Minecraft Dungeons has a perfect balance that allows anyone to appreciate the game. This was definitely not a simple job for Mojang Studios and Double Eleven, because trying to meet everyone’s needs is always difficult, but I feel they did a splendid job. Some hardcore fans might find the game a little shallow, but as mentioned earlier, the developers promised more content coming soon.
Its “cubed” visual and stylistic aspect and its brisk world inhabited by all kinds of creatures make Minecraft Dungeons a satisfying and light title on Xbox One. This video game is more than suitable to take your mind into another world for even half an hour, while still guaranteeing fun, especially in the company of friends and relatives.
Do you want to try Mojang’s Minecraft Dungeons? What do you think of my Minecraft Dungeons review on Xbox One? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Are you interested in more recently released games? Check out our reviews for Trials of Mana, Maneater, Dread Nautical, Streets of Rage 4, and Gears Tactics.
