Video Game Response: Minecraft

Garrett Kitchen

February 7, 2013

In this modern day and age there are many great video games that span every genre and fulfill every possibility. But there is one game that stands out to me when I think of my favorite game, Minecraft. Minecraft is an open world, freed roam computer game. In Minecraft everything is a square and it is purposefully pixelated, but only where it’s intended. It’s actually quite high definition (HD). There are three different ways to play Minecraft: survival mode, creative mode, and online mode. In survival mode you have a health and hunger bar, and to replenish health your hunger bar must be filled with food, which you get from killing animals or farming wheat and making bread. The goal of survival mode isn’t just to survive, it’s to thrive. You can build tools such as: swords, pickaxes, axes, hos for farming, bows, and shovels out of tiers of materials from wood to diamond. You have to go in mines to get materials and build houses or what you want. At night skeletons, zombies, and explosive creatures called creepers emerge and attack you.  In creative you have unlimited, and can yourself any item in the game. The goal of creative is to build amazing structures.  In online mode you can PVP (player versus player) or play with your friends in survival mode online.

What I really enjoy about Minecraft is unlike most modern games, there is no objective, no beating the game and everything you do is up to you. Because there are no objectives besides the ones you create, playing Minecraft is generally a relaxing experience, and that’s a very uncommon feature of a video game. In fact most video games have a slight bit of stress, especially if you’re not looking for a challenge. The most lovable, almost philosophical feature of Minecraft is its ability to bring out the creativity in oneself, because there no architectural boundaries, you can build anything imaginable and more. But I think there is a downside to this, because if one doesn’t have the ability or doesn’t enjoy being creative then they will probably dislike Minecraft and get bored while playing it. Additionally, one can create their characters story in their head. Minecraft is the game of creativity, and I think that is what makes it my favorite game. Downloading the game is free, but getting an account is $25 dollars which is very cheap, currently most games are $60. This price makes it seem like Minecraft is an even greater deal because not only is it actually a lot a cheaper, but psychologically I think people like something that goes against the normal game, a rebel if you will. I think this price is outstanding especially for the countless hours of enjoyment I have gotten from the game.