Total Miner

About

Total Miner is a single player and multiplayer role playing game. It was developed by Brandon Moore and was released on December 23, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Total Miner is an open-world voxel sandbox game with a focus on creative RPG game building. It features a built-in script language and editor, as well as Lua scripting support. The game also includes tools for filling and clearing large areas, and supports multiplayer through the public beta. Note that the multiplayer experience may differ from that on Xbox 360.".

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Skip User Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 706 reviews

music8 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Total Miner offers a unique blend of creativity and RPG elements, making it more than just a Minecraft clone.
The game features a robust scripting system that allows players to create custom experiences, enhancing replayability.
The nostalgia factor is high for players who enjoyed the original Xbox 360 version, with many expressing excitement for the return of Dig Deep mode and multiplayer.

The game currently lacks multiplayer and Dig Deep mode, which were key features in the original version, leading to disappointment among fans.
There are numerous bugs and performance issues, including a clunky UI and input lag, which detract from the overall experience.
The developer has been criticized for a lack of communication and updates, leading to concerns about the game's future and development progress.

music
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
59%
11%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its charm and variety, while others miss the original soundtrack and feel it doesn't match the nostalgic quality of previous games like Minecraft. Many users noted that the sound design enhances the gameplay experience, with fitting sound effects and memorable tracks, although some expressed a desire for the option to revert to older music styles. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “Soundtrack is uniquely charming.”
- “Fantastic indie game with fantastic soundtracks and sound design.”
- “But the music, the mechanics, and the late nights spent trying just to get to the next layer or rock layer all blended together to make a great experience.”
- “Life be royalty free pirate music as fuck but then you fall 2 layers along the z axis and the jungle snare choir start going off.”
- “I wish there was a way to disable certain things like animals and get the old school terrain generation and the old music back.”
- “- the soundtrack has a lot of variety in music, but it fails to come anywhere close to the happy sounds of Minecraft's tune.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
72%
14%
Total Miner offers a nostalgic blend of old-school creativity and RPG mechanics, appealing to fans of voxel sandbox games. While the gameplay is generally enjoyable and features unique mechanics that differentiate it from Minecraft, players have noted issues with poorly implemented features, confusing menus, and bugs affecting crafting blueprints. Despite these drawbacks, many long-time players appreciate the depth and fun of the gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for those willing to invest time in learning its systems.
- “If you love old-school creativity, RPG mechanics, and nostalgia for 2011 gaming, Total Miner is a criminally underrated masterpiece.”
- “Great simple yet complex game. While it's not as graphically pleasing as other games, it makes up for it in gameplay and some great game mechanics.”
- “Regardless, the game is still fun and I definitely look forward to what the future holds for it; I definitely recommend the game to anyone who is into voxel sandbox games because the game modes and overall gameplay are enjoyable!”
- “The list of poorly implemented and half-baked features and mechanics goes on and on.”
- “Navigating the menus is not only a maze, but actually mechanically difficult with the way that it shifts around.”
- “Part of the dig deep world type's gameplay is finding blueprints to be able to craft stuff, but they are bugged still even after a patch was supposed to fix them (11 months ago).”
graphics
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
70%
18%
The graphics of the game are generally considered less impressive compared to other titles, including Minecraft, with users noting a need for enhancements and a more polished user interface. While the aesthetic may not be as visually appealing, players appreciate the unique art style and built-in texture packs that differentiate it from typical "Minecraft clones." Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay mechanics over graphical fidelity, which some players find nostalgic and enjoyable.
- “Great simple yet complex game. While it's not as graphically pleasing as other games, it makes up for it in gameplay and some great game mechanics.”
- “With a different art style, its own texture packs built in (which was a difference from console Minecraft at the time).”
- “If the developers have the passion, I think some tidying up of the UI and some much-needed graphical enhancements would really see the game kick off again.”
- “Great simple yet complex game... while it's not as graphically pleasing as other games, it makes up for it in gameplay and some great game mechanics.”
- “The thing about this game that sets it apart from other 'Minecraft clones' is to me, it is not as similar to Minecraft other than the graphic style.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
94%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay. While multiplayer features have been introduced, they remain problematic, and many players find the overall experience frustrating due to the game's unfinished state. Despite its nostalgic value and potential, the game is currently deemed too buggy for a full recommendation.
- “I recommend this game because I have always loved it. I still enjoy it, but it will be a little while longer before anyone can expect it to have a bustling multiplayer or a completely bug-free experience.”
- “The game runs smoothly most of the time, and I appreciate the developers' efforts to address stability issues with regular updates.”
- “I've experienced very few crashes, and the overall performance has been quite stable, making for an enjoyable gaming experience.”
- “Yes, it's buggy, incomplete, and way behind schedule being an over 10-year-old game.”
- “The game is very buggy and messy, and could really use a lot of work with controls and HUDs.”
- “Too buggy for release, hardly playable in its current state.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players find it well-optimized with smooth performance and no significant issues, others note that it still lacks proper optimization for the Steam platform. Controls may not be ideal, but the game generally runs well compared to similar titles.
- “Played an absolute ton back in the day on Xbox 360, this version is way better optimized.”
- “The controls aren't the greatest, but the game overall feels well optimized and, unlike other Minecraft-like games, does not lag.”
- “- Smooth scripting performance.”
- “If you're like myself and you're hyped that Total Miner finally came to Steam, beware: the game is still poorly optimized for Steam thus far.”
- “Here's what to expect performance-wise: smooth scripting performance.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express deep emotional connections to the game, reminiscing about the joy and nostalgia it brings, often leading to tears. The experience of revisiting the game after years evokes strong memories of friendship, fear, and personal growth, highlighting its lasting impact on their lives. Overall, the emotional resonance of the game is a significant aspect of its appeal.
- “I'm not kidding when I say this, I wasted $3 on something I don't regret. Playing this game again after 9 years made me cry.”
- “The more I think about how long I spent enjoying your game and creating real memories with real friends, and being awe-inspired by some of the wisdom scrolls, the more I get emotional. I wish I could just start over at the beginning, not knowing what anything was, fearing the other players destroying my worlds, and being afraid of the caves because the lava and spiders were scary to my 13-year-old self.”
- “Thank you so much for your heartfelt support through the years of Total Miner: Forge.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find humor in unexpected moments, such as the absurdity of in-game situations and the chaotic interactions between enemies. The blend of personal experiences and the game's quirky elements contributes to a lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere.
- “Funny thing is, those were my two favorite things about Total Miner.”
- “And it's kind of funny to see the enemies fighting each other for no reason at all.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game offers a unique sandbox experience that allows players to script their own stories and customize gameplay. Additionally, the developer is actively enhancing the narrative by implementing a quest system that enables NPCs to engage in meaningful dialogue through a dialogue tree.
- “This is the only sandbox I have ever played that you can script your own story and change the game how you want to.”
- “Craig has been working on creating a quest system for NPCs to actually talk to you and have things to say about quests in a dialogue tree.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that players perceive the game's monetization strategy as exploitative, with many feeling it prioritizes profit over quality and genuine updates, leading to a sense of disappointment and frustration. The sentiment suggests that the game is seen as a cash grab, particularly targeting nostalgic fans.
- “After a while, the creators continued to lie about a new update coming out, and now the game doesn't even work. I can't recommend this game; it just feels like a cash grab now.”
- “This seems more of a cash grab from the nostalgia of those who loved this game on Xbox.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Currently, the game's replayability is limited to solo play, but the anticipated addition of multiplayer and features like "dig deep" is expected to significantly enhance the experience, offering endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. Fixing existing contextual issues will further improve its playability.
- “As of right now, the game is limited to just solo play, but as soon as multiplayer is released, the replayability and sense of wonder and discovery will never end.”
- “When 'Dig Deep' is added to the game, and contextual issues are fixed (some avatar descriptions for unlocking them still require you to do something over Xbox Live), I think it will become a much more playable game.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect to be tedious but relatively quick, with some forum threads offering fixes to streamline the process.
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I find the grinding to be a chore rather than a fun challenge; it really drags down the overall experience.”
- “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”