Blockland
- December 16, 2013
- Eric Hartman
- 122h median play time
Blockland is a open-world, non-linear sandbox game featuring single-player and multiplayer modes, where players can build and create structures using toy-block-style bricks, with plenty of humor but also known for its bugs. Players control a tiny minifigure and have the freedom to design and construct without set goals, either online or through a local area network. The game encourages creativity and exploration in a virtual world.
Reviews
- gameplay124 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the building mechanics offer creative potential, they are often clunky and outdated. Some users appreciate the variety of game modes and customization options, but others find the overall experience repetitive and frustrating, especially due to the lack of updates and support. Additionally, concerns about community behavior and technical issues, such as the absence of Steam Cloud support, have further detracted from the gameplay experience.
“This is a really good game, the building mechanic is really good, and the add-on system is really good as well; a player in your server doesn't even have the add-on and it will still load (because the game downloads the add-on).”
“Gameplay is easy to learn and the controls are easy too.”
“The gameplay is really good; you can make a server with or without a password. If you want to play with your friends only, I would recommend using a password, but if you want to make a public server, then I wouldn't use a password.”
“The overall gameplay has remained the same for eight years, and has grown stale.”
“I've tried to understand the game, but everything about the gameplay is incredibly boring.”
“You will enjoy it in the beginning but later on it will become boring and tiresome to play as a load of mechanics do not work properly.”
- graphics104 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that they appear outdated and blocky, reminiscent of early 2000s titles. While some appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and simple charm, others criticize the lack of graphical options and poor optimization, leading to a less enjoyable experience. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics may have a certain appeal, they fall short compared to more modern games in the same genre.
“The graphics are 10/10 and I have never seen anything like it.”
“Really amazing! I can't believe it's a game; the advancements in technology have brought this game to the best graphics ever.”
“Upon starting the game, you will be greeted with some of the best graphics currently available to the gaming industry.”
“Honestly, I've screwed around with the graphics settings and couldn't find a fix to stop the seizure-inducing flashing.”
“The downside is that the graphics are way out of date, and the vehicle mechanics are also pretty bad.”
“Don't buy this game; it's not at all like the trailer shows. It sucks, and even at maximum graphics, it's pixelated.”
- humor68 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with many players finding it hilarious and entertaining, especially when playing with friends. The community is noted for its comedic elements, with various gamemodes and mods contributing to the fun, although some players mention immature behavior among certain users. Overall, the game is described as a funny experience reminiscent of LEGO, with moments that can provoke genuine laughter.
“Even at an older age, you can have so many laughs with this game; it is just hilarious!”
“While playing this with my friend, I started crying from laughing so hard multiple times.”
“This game's highlight is the community; you choose one of the many community-made gamemodes, join a server, and you're automatically in for the most hilarious experience of your gaming life.”
“The humor in this game feels forced and falls flat, making it more cringeworthy than funny.”
“The jokes are so bad that they detract from the overall experience rather than enhance it.”
“It's like the developers tried too hard to be funny, but ended up with a collection of unoriginal and unfunny gags.”
- story46 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The reviews present a mixed perspective on the game's story, with some players noting a lack of narrative or structured campaigns, while others praise the depth and emotional impact of the storyline, describing it as life-changing and immersive. Additionally, there are mentions of engaging missions and character-driven plots, particularly one involving an ex-convict seeking revenge. Overall, the game's storytelling quality appears to vary significantly among players, with some finding it compelling and others dismissing it entirely.
“The plot is deep and amazing.”
“The story of an ex-convict recently released from prison, out to get revenge on his oppressive captors.”
“I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys story-rich games, with a deep narrative and a rich backdrop that immerses you completely.”
“There is no story, but players will encounter aggressive monsters they can fight using swords and bows.”
“It provides no storylines or campaigns to play with.”
“I don't care what you say the devs put into it or blah blah sob story.”
- music24 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of music or sound in certain areas, leading to a disappointing experience. While some users enjoyed specific musical moments, such as a concert-themed server, others reported technical issues that prevented music from playing altogether. Overall, the game's music feature appears to be underwhelming and inconsistent, despite a vibrant modding community that offers additional music options.
“It's so much fun! I love the part when I join a server called John Oats, Hall and Oats concert, in which I killed a bunch of people while the awesome Hall and Oats music played in the background. 10/10.”
“Blockland has a massive add-on community - in fact, there's a forum for Blockland with at least 3700+ posts/threads in its add-on section, and about 3500+ posts/threads in its music section!”
“Event a brick so when you click on it, it plays a song or even tells you something.”
“Join the server, and spawn in this fog-filled canyon with no music or sound for some reason.”
“Well, I always get errors when music loads; it crashes my game every time. I can't play it again. I'm sorry, try to fix it.”
“- There is no music.”
- stability20 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous reports of glitches, bugs, and lag, particularly affecting graphics and vehicle physics. Players express frustration over the lack of updates to address these problems, which detracts from the overall experience and enjoyment of the game. While the game has potential, its current state is marred by technical shortcomings that hinder gameplay.
“But after a lot of playing, I couldn't even play it anymore due to glitches.”
“I hope he reads this and realizes that maybe he should start updating this game instead of leaving it all buggy and glitchy and without all the things from the original game on the website.”
“It's buggy, extremely low resolution and extremely limited.”
- grinding18 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it requires an excessive amount of effort to achieve progress. While some find the building mechanics enjoyable once mastered, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with the controls and the repetitive nature of the tasks involved.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Derailing from that, you're in no luck if you're not in the mood for tedious sessions of building.”
“Building is tedious and unfulfilling, and so far, every game mode has been boring.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while performance is generally good and smooth, many users report issues with graphics optimization, particularly with shaders that appear jagged and poorly executed. Additionally, some players experience unexpected lag even on high-spec systems, suggesting that certain game modes, especially those designed for multiplayer, may not be well-optimized for single-player experiences.
“Game performance is quite good and everything runs really smooth.”
“The game modes are pretty good, but most of them are optimized for multiplayer.”
“The graphics optimization is okay.”
“The optimization is low.”
“Bad optimization (imagine having a high-spec PC and playing this game on medium-low graphics).”
“There are shaders in the game, but they look very jagged and bad, and they're also very poorly optimized.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally impactful, often describing it as beautifully simple yet deeply resonant, evoking feelings of nostalgia and personal connection. Many have reported shedding tears while playing, highlighting its ability to touch on themes of loss, reconciliation, and unfulfilled desires. Overall, the emotional depth of the game leaves a lasting impression, making it a memorable experience for many.
“I shed a tear before the night's over.”
“Touching this game again is like talking to a father that randomly disowned you many years ago just to befriend him.”
“I was about 10 years old when my mother said to him, 'If you ever want to see your grandchildren graduate, you have to stop immediately.' Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
- monetization8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived as reasonable, with some users feeling that the $10 price tag is justified given the gameplay experience. However, there are criticisms regarding misleading advertisements and the presence of griefers, which detract from overall satisfaction. Despite these issues, some players express strong support for the game, suggesting it offers significant value compared to its competitors.
“Ignore the pretty advertisement pictures; even if you had the patience to someday craft that with the bad controls and obnoxious griefers, you won't walk away satisfied or having enjoyed the process.”
“Just go buy GMod, or go play Roblox if you can bear them advertising Builders Club at you.”
“He's advertising Blockland on negative reviews and is leaving sarcastic, rude comments.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players noting that no two sessions are alike and highlighting the extensive content available. It receives high ratings across various categories, including graphics and multiplayer support, with some users giving it a near-perfect score of 9.5 for its replay value, particularly due to the potential of addons to enhance the experience.
“Replayability is at its best here and it’s guaranteed that no two sessions will be the same.”
“It has lots to do and replayability.”
“Replayability = 9.5 (addons can turn this game into anything)”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its playful, Lego-like worlds and a lighthearted, goofy vibe that enhances the overall enjoyment. Players appreciate the abundance of mods that contribute to this fun and engaging environment.
“Love the LEGO-like worlds and atmosphere.”
“Mods galore, goofy atmosphere (lightens the mood somewhat), and just a load of fun!”