Minecraft's success simply cannot be denied, whether you're one of its many loyal fans or highly vocal detractors. The blocky world and lack of objectives may be deceptively simple, but its honest freedom, as well as hidden depths both literal and figurative, has earned a cult following that is easily understood. 

After vacuuming the lives of PC and mobile gamers around the world, Minecraft is finally coming to consoles with Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition. Not only does it face the challenge of providing the same experience as it does on computers, it also has to convince the console audience that its sandbox world is worth the considerable amount of time it demands.

It's going to be interesting finding out what 360 users on the whole make of it. This particular one has some mixed feelings.  

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition (Xbox Live Arcade)
Developer: 4J Studios, Mojang
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Released: May 9, 2012
MSRP: 1600 Microsoft Points

For those not in the know, Minecraft is essentially an open world of building blocks, where the player is free to do whatever they wish -- within the limitations of the cuboid world's physical rules, of course. Aided by tools, crafting tables, and furnaces -- all of which must be built and rebuilt -- the player's only job is to make their own entertainment in a randomly generated sandbox world. 

Everything in that world has a use, or multiple uses, and players will come to learn them as they play. Punching a tree, for example, produces blocks of wood, which can be taken to a crafting table and turned into wooden planks for buildings, stairs, or sticks. Sticks can be combined with other items to create new objects, working with coal to create torches, or cotton to produce beds. Different materials are stripped from the environment and exploited to fuel whatever the player would like to fashion. Be it a humble woodshed, an expansive fortress, or even an entire town, whatever can be imagined can be built, provided one is willing to invest the time and find the resources. 

Despite the game's frankly ugly appearance, there's an impressive sense of atmosphere with some lovely musical accompaniment, and the world feels strangely alive as angular sheep and cows stroll through pixelated forests and swim in bright blue grids. As artificial and static as everything is, the subtle sense that everything's breathing helps the player feel far more connected than he or she might first believe. The vastness of the world is truly felt when armed with a pickaxe and digging deep into the earth, discovering subterranean caves filled with precious ores, gold, and less savory things besides.

Although it's predominantly a game about building, Minecraft is something of a survival horror on the side. The first thing most players will do is build a quick and dirty habitat, complete with a door and a bed, for at night the monsters come crawling from underground to wreak havoc. Zombies, skeletal archers, and spiders roam the surface, and any player caught outside risks mutilation. Enclosed buildings with shut doors keep them out, light sources reduce their desire to come near, and most of them will burn to death in the morning sun. Thus it is that most players learn to spend their days working and their nights sleeping in secure shelter. 

Daytime isn't completely safe, however. Zombies and skeletons can hide in the shade to catch unwary players, while the sinister Creepers fear no light and love to sneak behind the player before hissing and exploding in a sacrificial attempt to ruin your day. Players who dig too deeply may also find themselves overrun by legions of underground beasts that have made their homes in the many preexisting caves. Should a player die, they respawn in the last bed they slept in, but will have to return to the scene of the crime if they want to regain any of the equipment they were carrying. 

It is up to you what you make of yourself in the world. Some will enjoy abiding by the laws of nature, crafting by day and sleeping by night. Some will build grand fortresses, while others may use the animals and plants to create their own working farms. Yet others will instead use their resources to craft bows, swords, and armor before actively taking on the monsters in defiant adventure. After all, everything has its use, and even the deadliest of creatures may yield useful supplies once slain. 

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Minecraft is in discovering the things that you're not told directly. What if I give this wolf a bone? What else can I use a fishing rod for? What can I do with this magma spewing out of the wall? While unimaginative players may be wondering what the point of the game is, those with curious minds and big visions will have plenty to do and an expansive playpen in which to do it. 

While it's incredibly engrossing and more than a little addictive, Minecraft's slow pace and excessive time encroachment can be something of a hassle. Any plans beyond building a small shed and killing things requires a large investment of time, as well as regularly wasted energy. One can spend hours digging underground to grab just enough materials to finish certain creations, and mining often involves huge amounts of doing very little but the same mindless chores over and over again. Getting to the gold, diamonds, and redstone requires vast sessions of simply holding down a button over successive grey blocks, getting deeper and deeper into grey caves full of more grey blocks to brainlessly mine. Walking through the world is slow and tedious, a problem offset by the ability to build minecarts -- which themselves will require lots of tedious mining and walking in order to craft. 

Once materials are obtained, one will need to wait around while they're turned into useful components within furnaces. Even something as simple as getting meat to replenish health involves monotony and waiting, as well as fiddling around in the game's irritating and disorganized inventory system to get the required items in hand. All this, and one still has to contend with monsters that are fond of an ambush and can easily rob a player of hard-won items should they fall down the wrong hole and find themselves unable to reclaim their gear. 

Minecraft requires a ton of patience, and for many players the rewards simply aren't going to be there. After all, once you've built your fortress and filled it with decorations, what then? Build another one? Run around mashing buttons at monsters to kill them for idle sport? Minecraft is only fun for those who make it so, but the fun comes at quite a significant personal expense, and there's a pervasive feeling that once you've finished your own pet projects, you won't feel the need to keep playing it. While there's a lot to discover in Minecraft, little of it is worth revisiting and some of it just isn't worth fighting to see. 

All that said, the determined will become ensnared as so many have already, ever eager to find out what lies beneath the ground and what more can be created. For every player who finds the game a pointless waste of time, yet more shall find themselves gladly spending their lives exploring, surviving, and making whatever their imaginations can conjure up. Even after letting the game bore them to death, adventurers can still find a sudden spark of interest that reignites their passion and draws them even deeper, whether it's a maddening desire to expand one's home, march resplendent in solid gold armor, or simply maintain the largest wheat farm conceivable. You get out what you put in, provided that you enjoy Minecraft's eccentric offerings in the first place. 

While the Xbox 360 Edition is largely identical to the original, there are a few alterations. For one thing, mods and many of the updates are missing, though more features are due to be added over time. Right now there are no options for new player skins, and gameplay elements such as hunger are nonexistent. Crafting has been slightly streamlined, with players not having to worry about manually placing components while building objects (simply clicking an item will build it), and a tutorial mode has been included to ease newcomers into the environment. Every new game always begins with a map in the inventory as standard, just to make navigating a little easier. 

Up to eight players can collude online, and four-player split-screen play is also supported, which can make things a lot more fun for those getting bored. Though Kinect functionality has been previously promised, it is not available at launch. Those hoping to get their motion on will need to wait for future updates. 

Meanwhile, the 360 controller works surprisingly well with the game's keyboard-and-mouse-friendly gameplay. While navigating the inventory is a real bitch, moving through the world and fighting enemies is rather fluid and satisfactory. The game has been tailored very nicely to the controller, and while those more used to mouse controls might find the input somewhat inelegant, most 360 users should have an easy time exploring and building. 

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition was my first foray into Mojang's success story, giving me the chance to review this product as a game more than a port. Having already wasted more of my time than is sensible in Minecraft's strange little universe, I can see what all the fuss is about. I can also, however, see plenty of things to question and have been exasperated almost as much as I've been inspired. Minecraft is not a game I personally foresee playing a year from now, but should I look back on the hours already invested, I doubt I'll feel cheated. Indeed, Minecraft is endearing and regularly fascinates for as long as one's personal mileage can take them.

I don't regret the engrossing, addictive, and often boring adventure I've had. No matter how tired I may be by the end of a day's excavating, stone smelting, and undead slaying, I can say that, overall, it was worth the effort. Just about.

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

Voxeril

Lie everyone else on Earth, I have the PC version. So I pass. Good review.

dpjohnson14

Think I'll just stick with PC Minecraft. Good review though.

Sir Tobbii

Might get this, have it on PC and I've spent soooo much time on it already.

wqerty

how can blocks work on a circle console

Bobthecatlol

I'm looking forward to Minecraft 360. I've played Minecraft a lot and it's fun, creative and addictive. I just hope they add an option to upload screenshots.

LazarheaD

Minecraft is one of those games that I just can't wrap my mind around.

FriedZombie

Oh man Jim, you certainly do know how to bring on the hate train.

Sometimes I wonder if you're an actual troll, not just acting like one.

(Nothing like a little iron in your diet eh Jim :P)

PinkRanger

This will be the easiest review to determine who has read it, and who has not.

FPS Baby Jesus

I never understood how this game became so popular. Its not bad, its not good, its just average. It amused me all of an hour before I just didn't care anymore.

Lycan XIII

I'll probably use my Bing reward points and Xbox Reward points to get it since I already have it for PC.

Vallanthaz

Nice for people that don't have a decent PC, I guess.

I couldn't see wasting money on a half-assed version of Minecraft without mod and texture pack support though.

FPS Baby Jesus

@FriedZombie how is he bringing on the hate train? Because Minecraft is popular and he gave it a 7.5? Honestly I was expecting 6.5 at the highest.

ElektroDragon

I STILL don't see what all the fuss is about with Minecraft. It's another inexplicable fad, just like League of Legends and zombies. Heaven forbid they every make LoL with zombies set in the Minecraft world, none of you would ever leave your TV/PC.

Mr Andy Dixon

Sounds about right. No idea why anyone would want to play this with Kinect, though.

muttonface

It's also to me a game I simply don't get. I respect the appeal but I don't think I'll ever really give it a real shot. Isn't a lot of that game simply min-maxing? Isn't a guide virtually mandatory to figure out how to do basic things in the game?

TriplZer0

I can see why people like Minecraft, but I also know that I'd be one of those who would get bored really easily. I don't have the patience to build some huge crazy fortress or something. I'll pass on this version and the PC version.

PhilKenSebben

All I've ever done in this game was build a giant penis. It was fantastic. I've never gone back though. I don't have the time really. Besides all I'd do is build a bigger penis. That shoots lava or water. Well, I just talked myself into going back. I'll make the time.

Bobthecatlol

[IMAGE]http://www.mememaker.net/static/images/memes/263582.jpg[/IMAGE]

Bobthecatlol

Epic-Kx

I like taking everything Vallanthaz said with a semi truck full of salt.

Anyway, isn't this like the first real /review/ of the game dtoid did? After reading it, Jim, I'm getting this feeling that it was too slow for your tastes. That's how I felt with my first week playing this, but it gets a lot better over tim--oh wait this game's been out for a minute...um...

This version of Minecraft is the version I lked until the badass Adventure update released, so I hope 4J continues to move out updates over time like they promised.

Nevertheless, excellent review, and a solid purchase for me. Looking forward to this version!

Drakengard

@ Elektro

It's just not for you. It's for creation more than anything else. If you don't self-motivate then you'll simply never enjoy it unless you put one of the few more goal oriented mods on it and even then it still might not be your cup of tea.

And I'd certainly not call it a fad either. Furbies and Beanie Babies were fads that quickly died because they just didn't have anything to them. Both LoL and Minecraft have long lasting appeal and in Minecraft's case mods will continue to change what you can do with it.

Minecraft on the 360 might be a fad, but that's just because I don't think an un-moddable version of Minecraft with keep players engaged nearly as much outside of a few months.

Jim Sterling

"Anyway, isn't this like the first real /review/ of the game dtoid did?"

Yep. On PC, due to the constant changes, nobody felt too comfortable reviewing it. Since the XBLA release is likely a bit more static (though obviously updates are coming) we felt cool going for it.

tinkerwiz

1600 mp is kinda is pretty pricey =/

portemanteau

Of course, @PhilK3nS3bb3n, we will require full pics so that we may stand in awe at your enormous, lava spewing dick.

Sæglópur

1600 MS Points?

Haha, NO.

dtomek

@Phil
Make sure to point the "stream" straight at the monocle of a Mt. Rushmore style Jim Sterling relief. Not because I'm upset about this review or anything...just because it would be awesome.

Epic-Kx

>complain about $20 price tag>game is $6 more on PC>gamers!

TurboPhoenix

I've played the shit out of the PC version, and still do quite frequently, but I'm still considering getting this solely for the splitscreen... Hrm.

Steviedoors

I can't shake the feeling that every Minecraft XBLA review I've read is written by the wrong person. Another thing I've noticed (though this isn't necessarily relevant to this particular review) is that players can never decide if Minecraft has enough content or not. At the 1.8 update, there was this whole "HERP MINECRAFT IS DEAD, IT'S NOT UNIQUE ANYMORE" nonsence, then for the Xbox version there's "HERP WHERE DID ALL THE PC CONTENT GO". To be honest I'm always seeing Minecraft players chasing after some dream of perfection that they themselves can not define, or expecting that they be able to play it for days on end without being bored and downgrading it if they do. It's because there's no "end of the level" or "end of the game" where the game says, "OK, that's enough for today" or "go and play something else now". Minecraft just leaves you to it and if you forget you've been playing for a long time, you might slowly realise that you need a break and by the time you fully do, you realise you've been loathing the game the whole time. Personally, I've been playing Minecraft regularly for well over a year now, and in the first few weeks of owning it I played it non stop. I remember watching all the LPs with a brilliant excitement, preparing for when I was able to purchase it myself. Whenever I return to my original shelter I get this amazing feeling of nostalgia. Regular updates mean I've always got something to do on top of my own pet projects. Going back to the 1.6 era that the Xbox version is at may be a shock to the system but I'm looking forward to going back to the simpler days of Minecraft, and after a bit of contemplation I've decided I'm not put off by the slightly mediocre reviews at all.

Hangman669

An honest review. As a gamer who is also a husband and father, you've reaffirmed my choice not to get into this. I have enough time-sinks as it is already.

Thanks Jim!

Termadoyle

The problem with Minecraft is that unless you have some crazy big ambition to build something specific, it gets old after a while depending on how curious you are.

It's a game you have to come back to every once in a while.

PhilKenSebben

Gentlemen, it may take awhile, but I will build this cock. For you. I've never fucked with lava, but I'm sure it can be done. As for Jims face... I might need help with a project this large (seriously, no joke there). Either way, ill blog that shit when finished. I shall begin tonight.

Baines

I'm sure XBLA Minecraft will sell on name brand and novelty alone, but I do wonder how much time people will actually put into it.

I think mods do a lot to keep the PC game alive.

It might also be interesting to see what the XBLA Minecraft clones do to compete. Will they just roll over now that Minecraft itself has arrived, or will they add new content to the formula?

portemanteau

@PhilK3nS3bb3n you are a gentleman among bastards.

TurboKill

Wait, wait, hold up, @FriedZombie

Did you even read the review. It was a good (Meaning Positive) review. If you're too lazy read, at least read the last two paragraphs.

whosjohndonut

why you so hollywood

NikSG

I love MC PC, but I'll probably get this for the split screen / tutorial mode to get my gf more into games. Right now she's hooked on clash of heroes, but Minecraft is something we could both play.

deathmetalpizza

I can't wait to finally play Minecraft with my preferred 360 controller. I have many plans and projects to look forward to, so I'm one of those people with a big enough imagination that the game won't get sour any time in the near future.

psycho terror2

played minecraft a fair bit in alpha, and this review lines up pretty well with my feelings. it was really cool for a while, then i moved on, but i had a lot of fun and don't regret buying it or spending way too many late nights playing it. exploring a cave that nobody has ever explored before is a pretty interesting and almost unique gaming experience that i'd hate to have missed!

i think the fact that there's no endgame makes it seem like you're abandoning the game if you stop playing, however compared to other games in the same price range it represents very good value considering the amount of enjoyment you can get out of the game or at least the potential playtime/replayability.

Jinx 01

Minecraft looks interesting, but I think Terraria is a bit more my style. Less focus on building and a bit more focus on combat and exploration. I already did level design for Half-Life 1, so the novelty of building things is kinda lost on me.

VolksONER

Looks like Legos and I have no computer (gasp!) this is relevant to my interests. Thanks for the review Jimbo.

ReeceH92

@PhilK3nS3bb3n You should start a Kickstarter! I, for one, will pay.

Interesting review, I haven't got into Minecraft either since I don't have a decent PC. I'll give it a go when I've got the time and money. Thanks Jim.

FriedZombie

@FPS Baby Jesus, It was mainly for the legion of fans that Minecraft has, and why were you expecting a 6.5? A 65/100 is crappy by any standard.

Achromatis

I like dungeon crawlers, I like survival games, and I love anything that lets me create whatever the fuck I want to. So yeh, I can definitely still see myself playing Minecraft on and off a year from now... but I have it on PC like everyone else. Mods really add to its longevity, and I couldnt stand to play it without a texture pack anymore either.

But its like every other game, you just need to set your own goals for that feeling of accomplishment. You beat Hell mode in Diablo 2, what was the point? You get all the achievements in Skyrim... what for? Its the same with Minecraft though IMO its for people with some imagination. When I pickup Minecraft its because I had an idea about something I wanted to make, like say a giant lava dick.

PrivateIronTFU

Eh, I'm gonna go outside and play make believe. A game for people with actual imagination.

FriedZombie

@TurboKill, yes I read the review, which pretty much stated that the menu system is terrible and Jim doesn't dig the art style, but the movement/combat controls are smooth as butter, and has limited replay-ability if you don't have an imagination.

"Good" to me starts at about 8.0-8.9, below that and we have "okay" which consists 7.0-7.9.

To call Minecraft okay is pretty much akin to calling the new Avengers movies "okay", you do that on Reddit and people automatically assume you're a troll.

BomberJacket

I play Minecraft off and on, and everytime I stop it's because the world starts looking kind of same-ish after awhile. That said, mod support adds a ton, things like Primordial Desert and Biospheres changed the entire world in amazing ways. And I just heard about this one called Better Dungeons that adds crazy things to explore (and then maybe clean out and live in).

If nothing else, Minecraft gave me a haunting soundtrack and the Mount St. Awesome Dam, and that was well worth the price of admission to me.

occono

I got bored of Minecraft Singleplayer on PC, but it's still really fun for servers. It'd be less fun without mods though.....

ZendQ

Doesn't review the Witcher 2 for 360 calling it a direct port....

Reviews a sandbox game ported over at a ridiculous price. Makes sense.

facetouch

Spot-on review. The way you described it is perfect. I will tell people to read this review to help explain Minecraft easier. And I've tried pirating it only to find out Mojang, for some reason, made the game in Java so my laptop could never run it. Now I can finally play with my brother and maybe even trick my family into trying it.