Minecraft Legends
- April 18, 2023
- Mojang Studios
- 11h median play time
Minecraft Legends is a surprisingly deep strategy title that embodies what people love about the franchise, adding much more along the way.
"Minecraft Legends" is a strategy game set in the Minecraft universe, where players unite the Overworld and form alliances with mobs to battle against piglins in epic battles. Traverse through a lush, dynamic world that's rich in resources and different in each playthrough, and engage in multiplayer mode for intense battles with friends.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful graphics and a charming art style that captures the essence of the Minecraft universe.
- The gameplay loop is enjoyable, combining elements of strategy and action, making it fun to command units and engage in battles.
- The game has potential for future updates and expansions, which could enhance the overall experience.
- The game lacks depth and can become repetitive quickly, with limited content and a short campaign.
- Multiplayer functionality is poorly implemented, with no way to communicate with teammates and issues with matchmaking.
- The controls can be clunky and unintuitive, especially for keyboard and mouse users, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- gameplay166 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Minecraft Legends is characterized by its engaging real-time strategy mechanics and beautiful environments, but it suffers from repetitiveness and a lack of depth, leading to a mixed reception. While some players appreciate the fresh ideas and enjoyable mechanics, many criticize the game for its simplistic controls, shallow gameplay loop, and limited content, making it feel rushed and underwhelming. Overall, it appeals primarily to younger audiences and dedicated Minecraft fans, but may not satisfy those seeking a more complex gaming experience.
“The ideas and mechanics in the game are fresh and interesting as you have a certain amount of control over the world events and your character.”
“The campaign gameplay consists of attacking piglin bases and defending villages; the gameplay is fairly simple but the gameplay loop feels fun once you get into it.”
“The game feels buttery smooth overall, and it has a very fun gameplay loop.”
“The gameplay can get repetitive at times.”
“Commanding an army while you either watch from a distance or use your one single combat mechanic in the game just gets repetitive.”
“The gameplay loop is hyper repetitive and becomes harder to enjoy the longer you play in my opinion.”
- story112 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally viewed as simple and repetitive, with many players noting that it lacks depth and variety after the initial missions. While some appreciate the charming graphics and engaging cutscenes, the overall narrative is often described as short and aimed at a younger audience, leading to a feeling of monotony as players progress. Despite its shortcomings, the story does provide a fun and accessible entry point into the Minecraft universe, though many feel it doesn't justify the game's price tag.
“I really like the graphics and story, but similar to actual Minecraft, the motivation to play it really only hits once every 5 months. I would not recommend buying the DLC.”
“The story is fun to work through, and PvP could be fun.”
“Despite these issues, the true strength of Minecraft Legends lies in its engaging storyline and immersive setting.”
“But after the first two missions, it just gets repetitive.”
“The story feels like it's aimed strictly at an extremely young audience.”
“The issue becomes clear once progressing through that it is highly repetitive, with the main storyline having you attack key points, defend villages, etc. It's clear that the developers tried to make each interaction a little bit different, but it all quickly blurs together.”
- graphics71 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of Minecraft Legends have received widespread praise for their beauty and charm, with many reviewers highlighting the game's vibrant art style and atmospheric visuals that enhance the overall experience. While some players noted occasional graphical glitches and a lack of depth in gameplay, the stunning visuals and engaging soundtrack were frequently cited as standout features that contribute to the game's appeal. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, making the game visually appealing and enjoyable to explore.
“The graphics are impressive, and the soundtrack adds to the immersive experience.”
“Graphics are honestly gorgeous throughout the entire day/night cycle and in every biome.”
“I love the graphics and design, giving it a colorful, cartoon-like look.”
“The art style I personally hate; the half-and-half of the classic sharp edges and ugly cut corners feels very bothersome, and the cel shading job they did looks awful.”
“If you have almost the same amount of graphical options as alpha 2 of Minecraft Pocket Edition (12~ years of regression) for a Steam port, then something is going horribly wrong.”
“The graphics for this are clearly child-friendly, but if you were expecting Starcraft or Age of Empires level of detail in MC: Legends, you are a fool and should perish.”
- grinding20 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
Reviews on the grinding aspect of the game are mixed, with some players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in single-player mode, while others appreciate the resource gathering as less burdensome and more rewarding. Many agree that the game allows for a more enjoyable experience when focusing on building and exploring rather than grinding. Casual gamers may find the grind manageable, but those seeking depth in strategy and unit management often feel overwhelmed by the tedious mechanics.
“The gameplay is pretty good, moving around the world map is fluid and not tedious.”
“Though fun to begin with, the game gets to be very repetitive and overall tedious to play.”
“Singleplayer, it's tedious and annoying.”
“The way you'll have the most fun is to unfortunately not engage with the RTS part of the game for the most part, commanding your units is a chore because the banner view (a mode which allows you to command specific units in your army) is horrendous to use, gathering all your units after sending them somewhere is tedious, and there is no strategy to choosing which units you bring with you.”
- monetization16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a cash grab due to the prevalence of microtransactions, particularly for cosmetic items and additional content locked behind a marketplace. Despite some players finding the microtransactions acceptable, the overall sentiment reflects disappointment in how these practices detract from the gameplay experience, leading to a perception of greed and a lack of creativity.
“It has microtransactions, but they are only cosmetic items. Get the normal edition; the deluxe version isn't worth it for only a handful of skins.”
“There are microtransactions in the game, and it appears that some new gameplay content will be locked behind the marketplace. For the first Lost Legends chapter, you are sent to the marketplace to pay zero minecoins; it is free, but it doesn't bode well for new Lost Legends content.”
“Monetization is alright - it's Microsoft.”
“So disappointed with this casual cash grab that has nothing to do with Minecraft besides the theme.”
“A $40 game with microtransactions.”
“Greedy monetization method that pushes it in your face when playing those monthly missions.”
- stability15 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 87 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some users note that the game is functional and has potential, others express frustration with its buggy gameplay, graphical issues, and AI problems. Overall, the game appears to be in need of further updates to address these stability concerns.
“This game isn't buggy or glitchy; it is a functional game with zero crashes and no FPS issues.”
“- Not very buggy; zero crashes, no FPS issues, etc.”
“This game is not worthy of being $69. I was fun for the first hour, but then it just was a disappointment and buggy as hell. Do not buy this game.”
“As of right now, the game is a buggy mess but has extreme potential.”
“And much worse, the game is full of bugs (and I've only played half an hour)... buggy UI, completely unfinished and disaligned / unordered French dub (a lot of voice lines play at the complete wrong moment, like knowledge introducing themselves when the subtitles tell me about defending the second village?).”
- music15 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its haunting quality and immersive nature. The soundtrack complements the gameplay effectively, particularly during combat, and is described as both powerful and unsettling, contributing significantly to the game's charm. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that elevates the gaming experience, with some players even enjoying the soundtrack outside of gameplay.
“I do think this game has clear passion put into it; you can see it with the art style, the personality of the world, and the music.”
“It's beautifully atmospheric and graphics-wise, the music knows how to unsettle you yet also make you feel powerful, and the sound effects are satisfying.”
“The game features stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack that creates a sense of isolation and melancholy.”
“Didn't even start the tutorial because I couldn't hear the voice acting, music, or any sound at all.”
“I had music but just no sound.”
“And the music.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while PvP and procedurally generated worlds offer some potential for infinite replay value, many players feel that the campaign lacks depth and fails to provide meaningful replayability after completion. The nostalgic elements and RTS controls are appreciated, but the current state of the game leaves players wanting more in terms of engaging endgame content.
“It reminds me of older RTS games - a campaign that you spend 10-15 hours on, with the replayability coming in the form of versus mode.”
“PvP gives the game essentially an infinite replay value with its procedurally generated world, like the original Minecraft, and millions of different scenarios you can find yourself in.”
“Really hope the team is planning some form of fun and replayable endgame content for the future.”
“However, there is no replayability after completing the campaign currently.”
“There is no real replayability in the game.”
“It lacked the depth and replay value that I was hoping for, and I was left feeling disappointed.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players noting smooth performance and minimal issues, particularly in co-op modes. However, some users have reported problems with connection optimization in player-versus-player combat and mentioned AI/pathfinding issues that detract from the experience. While the visuals and soundtrack are praised, the controls and gameplay mechanics could benefit from further refinement.
“Game is fun, optimized great, co-op is smooth, and the micro-transactions are cheap like the old days.”
“In agreement with other reviews, it's a very cute RTS game with amazing optimization and a beautiful soundtrack.”
“Performance is good and no crashes.”
“Given that you're only able to give orders from your character's location and the game is optimized to be played with a controller, all you can do is tell units to attack in a direction.”
“- terrible connection optimization: hero vs hero (player vs player) combat feels terrible, because you can die to an enemy that's clearly 200 meters away from you.”
“[controls aren't very intuitive, mild learning curve, AI/pathfinding issues, performance problems]”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, featuring a mix of hilarious cutscenes, slapstick moments, and amusing animations that enhance the overall experience. Players find the comedic elements, especially in the story mode and character interactions, to be unexpectedly entertaining, contributing to a fun and engaging atmosphere. The game's lighthearted approach to strategy, combined with its quirky narrative, makes it a standout in the genre for those who appreciate humor.
“Also a very good amount of funny cutscenes happen throughout the story.”
“However, this game is a freakin' blast and the cinematics are hilarious.”
“The animations are hilarious.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and evocative music that enhances both the meditative and chaotic elements of gameplay. Reviewers highlight its ability to convey deep themes such as grief and loss while creating a unique universe that captivates players, though some note its appeal may lean towards a younger audience due to simplified mechanics. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that significantly enriches the gaming experience.
“It's beautifully atmospheric and graphics-wise, the music knows how to unsettle you yet also make you feel powerful, and the sound effects are satisfying.”
“The atmosphere is what really stands out to me and the gameplay.”
“It is a meditative and atmospheric experience that explores themes of grief, loss, and regret.”
“The game feels more geared towards a younger audience, which is reflected in its simplified mechanics and overall atmosphere.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of wholesome enjoyment and relaxation, providing fun gameplay for a limited time. However, players also express feelings of repetitiveness and frustration as progress slows, detracting from the overall emotional engagement. While it lacks a deeply impactful narrative, it still offers a lighthearted experience.
“Quite wholesome and relaxing.”
“It's a very wholesome game, and it's really fun to play as well!”
“This is not going to be an insanely awesome story with heart-breaking moments, but it is so fun.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for enhanced character development options, such as the ability to upload 3D skins or utilize a character designer, indicating a preference for more personalized and customizable character experiences.
“The character development is incredibly immersive, allowing players to create unique avatars that truly represent them.”
“I love how the game offers a deep character customization system, making each character feel personal and distinct.”
“The ability to evolve and change my character's skills and appearance throughout the game adds a layer of depth that keeps me engaged.”
“The character development feels incredibly shallow, lacking any meaningful progression or depth.”
“I was disappointed by the limited options for customizing my character, which made the experience feel less personal.”
“The characters seem one-dimensional, and their growth throughout the game is almost non-existent.”
Critic Reviews
Minecraft Legends review – kid-friendly real-time strategy
Minecraft Legends is a worthy spin-off from the main game, but doesn't break any new ground in the real-time strategy genre, instead acting as an accessible entry point for the younger generation.
70%Minecraft Legends Review
Minecraft Legends is an engaging strategy game that capably combines the established Minecraft world with a streamlined RTS structure.
70%Minecraft Legends Review – A Messy RTS
Minecraft Legends showcases a novel approach to the beloved universe by fusing it with the gameplay mechanics of the RTS genre, but the lack of tactical options makes it a bit too safe of a spinoff.
70%