CastleMiner Z

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CastleMiner Z is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing game with horror and historical themes. It was developed by DigitalDNA Games and was released on February 3, 2014. It received positive reviews from players.

CastleMiner Z is a popular Xbox 360 and PC game that drops you into a zombie-infested world with only a handful of resources. Your mission is to survive by gathering raw materials, crafting weapons and tools, and building elaborate fortresses to defend against the relentless hordes of the undead. With randomly generated worlds, each playthrough offers a unique challenge.

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,594 reviews

graphics120 positive mentions

stability128 negative mentions

graphics
440 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
57%
16%
The graphics of Castleminer Z receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the visuals are charmingly simplistic and reminiscent of older indie titles, they often fall short of modern standards. Some appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and the nostalgic value it brings, while others criticize the inconsistent quality, graphical glitches, and overall dated appearance. Despite these shortcomings, many agree that the gameplay experience compensates for the lack of visual polish, making it enjoyable for those who prioritize fun over graphics.
- “The game’s graphics strike a perfect balance between simplicity and detail.”
- “The blocky aesthetic is charming and allows for creative freedom, while the detailed enemy models add a touch of realism to the otherwise stylized world.”
- “I would say that the graphics are impeccable, and the gameplay astonishing.”
- “The graphics are terrible, the sounds awful, the animations are poor, but it's so fun, I don't know why.”
- “The quality of the game in terms of appearance is absolute garbage but it isn't boring; really, if you play this game, it's for the gameplay alone, do not play this game obviously in search of high-quality graphics.”
- “The graphics are still terrible in this day and age, the combat is abysmal, the enemies are basic as hell, and the core design of it is non-existent!”
gameplay
348 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
60%
11%
The gameplay of CastleMiner Z is characterized by its blend of block-building mechanics and survival horror elements, offering a unique experience that emphasizes exploration, crafting, and combat against various enemies. While many players appreciate the engaging multiplayer aspect and the depth added by resource management and fortification strategies, some criticize the repetitive nature and technical issues that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, albeit flawed, alternative to Minecraft, particularly when played cooperatively with friends.
- “This game takes the familiar block-building mechanics and infuses them with a thrilling survival horror twist that keeps players on the edge of their seats.”
- “Building fortresses, strategizing defenses, and sharing resources adds a layer of depth to the gameplay that is both engaging and fun.”
- “The gameplay is simple yet engaging, with a focus on exploration, building, and survival in an infinite world filled with deep places to explore and horrifying monsters to slay.”
- “This game crashed five times, loaded with missing assets six times, and BSOD'd my computer three times, all in 90 minutes of gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is just a mess in my opinion and kind of annoying.”
- “Gameplay is extremely disappointing, I've had more fun on Minesweeper than on this 'game'.”
stability
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
2%
94%
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and stability issues, with players reporting frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and broken achievements, particularly on modern systems like Windows 11. While some users find enjoyment in the chaotic nature of these glitches, many agree that the game's stability detracts significantly from the overall experience, making it feel unfinished and frustrating. Despite its nostalgic appeal and low price, the consensus is that the game requires substantial improvements to its stability before it can be recommended.
- “It still runs great even with a high visual setting.”
- “The keys for me are fine and it runs great on my PC; I do like the simplicity of it because I can run it on the go on smaller laptops.”
- “It does need some work though, the game has a few glitches and I would love to see some new GUI improvements and new artwork with various other tweaks, but for the most part, the game is awesome.”
- “This game is extremely and I say extremely buggy on modern Windows, especially on Windows 11.”
- “I got this game to have some fun with some mates and every time we load up it freezes and crashes, losing all our data. Do not buy, waste of time.”
- “This game has been on Steam for a while and has glitches that make it unplayable.”
story
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
78%
5%
The reviews for the "story" aspect of the game are mixed, with many players noting a lack of a traditional narrative. While some mention clear objectives and quests that provide a sense of progression, others emphasize that the game primarily focuses on gameplay rather than storytelling. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are elements of questing and adventure, the game does not deliver a substantial or engaging story.
- “The plot was a thoroughly strung emotional rollercoaster.”
- “Beautiful artwork and a well-done storyline.”
- “Whether you’re brand new to the battlefield or picking your blaster back up after a long hiatus, Star Wars Battlefront 2 is a redemption story worthy of the Skywalker saga.”
- “You can beat this game in 2 hours; there is no story.”
- “There doesn't seem to be any storyline, no questing, no tasks/missions.”
- “There is no story, and no main objective; the only story there is is 'here is some ore and zombies, collect the ore, make a gun and fight them.'”
music
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the game's standout features, describing it as memorable, immersive, and capable of evoking strong emotions during gameplay. However, some users noted a desire for more variety and better integration of music within the game's mechanics.
- “The atmosphere and the music just simply made it an amazing experience.”
- “This game is very very very enjoyable and has one of the best soundtracks ever made in video game history.”
- “One positive I can say about this game is it absolutely nails the atmosphere, from the designs of the guns, the soundscape, the music (that title track actually slaps), and some of the biomes, this game has the atmosphere to make memories that will linger in your mind, especially if you're playing with friends.”
- “Music: n/a (this game has no music unless you call the new day or ambient sounds as music)”
- “Besides lacking music and fun, this is a pitiful copy of Minecraft but with guns.... and that's it.”
- “Particle effects are 5/100, music/sounds is absolute diarrhea, and graphics like this was before the PS2.”
humor
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it both hilariously entertaining and absurdly bad, often leading to memorable moments when playing with friends. Many reviews highlight the game's quirky animations, unexpected scenarios, and the comedic chaos that arises during multiplayer sessions, making it a source of laughter despite its flaws. Overall, the humor is a significant draw, providing a nostalgic and fun experience that resonates with players.
- “It's like they're auditioning for a zombie version of 'So You Think You Can Dance?' You'll be too busy laughing at their antics to remember you're supposed to be surviving!”
- “Now, don't get me wrong – Castleminer Z is an absolute hot mess, but it's also one of the most hilariously entertaining train wrecks you'll ever witness in the gaming world.”
- “The main strength of Castleminer Z is its multiplayer, as most of the enjoyment comes from the funny moments this game provides when playing with friends, and the UI makes it easy to join with friends and random players via the home screen.”
- “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
- “You're not funny!”
- “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
optimization
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
58%
19%
Overall, the game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users reporting poor performance, frequent crashes, and low frame rates even on high-end hardware. While some players find it enjoyable despite these issues, the lack of resolution settings, control mapping, and general bugs significantly detracts from the experience. Community patches exist, but modding is complicated, making it less accessible for the average player.
- “I liked the new graphics and features and potentially better performance with half decent hardware.”
- “The graphics are decent and the overall performance of the game is solid.”
- “Game runs smoothly on PC.”
- “This PC port is extremely outdated and prone to crashing and performance hiccups; there are community patches out there, but modding this game is extremely convoluted and not worth the average person's time.”
- “This game is awful, I don't want your money. I have a $2,600.00 computer and this game is so horribly optimized that it lags.”
- “I have a hard time playing due to optimization issues; mouse smoothing and acceleration are absurdly high in the game, and it doesn't have full controller compatibility for menu navigation and is just generally buggy.”
atmosphere
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its intense and immersive qualities, with many players appreciating the darker tones, eerie ambiance, and effective soundscapes that evoke nostalgia and fear. The combination of visuals, music, and environmental design creates memorable experiences, particularly when playing with friends, although some find it can feel dull or overly creepy when played solo. Overall, the game successfully captures a mature and engaging atmosphere that resonates with a variety of players.
- “The atmosphere and the music just simply made it an amazing experience.”
- “One positive I can say about this game is it absolutely nails the atmosphere, from the designs of the guns, the soundscape, the music (that title track actually slaps), and some of the biomes. This game has the atmosphere to make memories that will linger in your mind, especially if you're playing with friends.”
- “Brought back childhood memories, love the eerie atmosphere.”
- “It's way too clunky, and the atmosphere is constantly dull, dim, and lightning flashes randomly all the time.”
- “Recommended with friends, as it's quite boring and creepy when you play alone (the atmosphere makes you nervous for nothing).”
- “Just by looking at it, it might just look like another voxel-based game with a texture pack installed, some guns, and a dark atmosphere.”
grinding
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
9%
83%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be extensive and often tedious, requiring significant time investment—sometimes likened to needing a "second life" to fully engage. While some appreciate the satisfaction that comes from grinding for resources and gear, others feel it can become monotonous, especially in multiplayer settings where high-level players dominate. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a mixed bag, offering both fun and frustration.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes, but it adds to the overall experience.”
- “Grinding can feel a bit repetitive at times, yet it offers a rewarding sense of progression.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, but the satisfaction of leveling up makes it worthwhile.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “If you want to spend 5 hours grinding out endurance mode to get 4000 blocks, best in slot gear.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
replayability
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
39%
15%
The reviews highlight a mixed perception of replayability across different games. While some titles, particularly sandbox survival games like Minecraft, are praised for their immense replay value and enjoyment, others are criticized for lacking depth and staying power after completing key objectives. Overall, the consensus suggests that multiplayer experiences enhance replayability, but several games fall short in offering long-term engagement.
- “This is probably the most fun and replayable sandbox survival game I've ever played since Minecraft.”
- “10/5, the replay value is immense as well.”
- “There is a great amount of replayability and enjoyment to be found in Castle Miner Z.”
- “There's very little replayability to this game once you beat the undead dragon (final boss) unless you help your friends through to beat him (which I did a few times).”
- “This is not what a game should be, just a big rehash with no replay value.”
- “Though I did originally enjoy this game, it unfortunately does not have much replay value or staying power, and the gameplay is kind of shallow.”
emotional
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly polarizing, with many players praising its deeply moving plot that evokes strong feelings, including tears of joy and heartbreak. However, some users express frustration and confusion, describing their experiences as overwhelming and even likening it to emotional abuse, indicating a significant divide in player sentiment. Overall, the game elicits intense emotional responses, both positive and negative.
- “The plot was a thoroughly strung emotional rollercoaster.”
- “Amazing, made me cry at times, no doubt this is one of the best games ever made.”
- “The ending was a very breathtaking moment, and it made me cry.”
monetization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
22%
57%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing it as a "cash grab" that relies heavily on ads, particularly in the late game. However, some players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, highlighting that the game offers unlimited content without additional costs. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to be a significant point of contention among players.
- “Without microtransactions, unlimited content.”
- “Microtransactions - 0/10, no microtransactions whatsoever!”
- “Microtransactions - 0/10, no microtransactions whatsoever!”
- “This game is stupid easy until you get to the super late game ads and then it's seriously non-stop ads.”
- “A buggy cash grab designed to profit off of Minecraft's popularity.”
- “The game is summed up by saying it is a cash grab that feels like a 7-year-old thought of the mechanics.”