GameTunnel ? Independent Game Review by the Community ...

Hype is a strange thing to think about when it comes to an indie title, but it does exist for certain indie games and in a similar fashion to mainstream games, though usually the difference between the two is a hype born of player experience versus one based on publisher (or developer) promises. For some, hype leads to a disappointing diminuendo, as their expectations of the gaming experience is tattered by expecting too much or something entirely different.

Considering this, it is easy to see why many approach Minecraft with a pinch of salt. Having never played the game before and hearing of its many wonders from the PC gaming community, I was expecting a lot, though was very aware that things had been changed to suit the console and its player base. However, what Minecraft really does bring to the table is a truly open-world and a set of tools and building materials that enables you to basically create your own world to your liking. The amount of time you spend with the game is ultimately up to you, as well as what you choose to do in the world.

This not a game about story, in as much as there isn?t a pre-set story, so it?s understandable that some people that may require this in a game in some form might not find it to their liking. The great thing is that you can create your own story; that of the things you build and create for yourself or along with others (as there are multiplayer options). Though, that being said, there are certain elements to Minecraft that might be considered to form a ?meta-story?, as well as gameplay elements that go beyond simply building things.

The closest approximation I could give it, explaining the game and its mechanics in the best possible way, is to think of a world builder or level editor program that you (i.e. your character) actually inhabit, as opposed to viewing it from above and at a distance. Also, the way that you build and craft things is somewhat akin to crafting materials and items in an MMORPG and, really, that?s another good comparison as there are monsters to deal with and the game has an infinite playability similar to an MMO in that sense.

Visually, the game looks really good, with a unique art direction of pixelated textures that give the game almost a Lego-like look, which also complements the gameplay pretty perfectly. The sound design is also essentially flawless, with the satisfying chinks and scuffles of mining and crafting materials, complemented by a very nice ambient music score that both emphasises the feeling of isolation when exploring the world by yourself, as well as the sensation of having essentially an open canvas to build upon.

The controls are solid but you can certainly tell the game?s PC origins. One of the positive things to be said about the Xbox 360 and its controller is that it is pretty easy to translate PC games over to it. It helps that the game?s controls are fairly simple, with even quick selection of items from your inventory being well-managed thanks to scrolling through your quick select bar with the LB and RB buttons. A PC player may find these changes inferior to their normal set-up but that certainly won?t be the thoughts of anyone else.

One thing I definitely recommend to newcomers of the game is playing through the tutorial offered, which explains all the basics and even some advanced things really well by forcing the player to do these things themselves after giving instructions. The game also lets you continue playing in the tutorial world after you?re done, which presents a fairly vast and mesmerizing lanscape to explore.

Overall, I?d have to say this is, at the very least, one of the best indie games I?ve ever played. It?s one of those highlight titles that stand out from the pack and the transition to the Xbox 360, from what I can tell, hasn?t marred the original PC product at all. With all that said, however, I must again caution players to know what they?re getting into ? a truly open-world game about building and creating with only your imagination truly limiting you. If that suits you and you?d like a big digital sandbox to play around in for probably hundreds of hours, then Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition is certainly worth getting.

Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition is available via the Xbox Live Marketplace?for 1600 Microsoft Points.

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