When Notch released its first build back in 2011,Minecrafttook the world by storm. Since then, the game has become synonymous with the likes ofMarioandZelda, in the sense that just about anyone, gamer or not, has at least a passing familiarity with it. Yes,Minecraftis a cultural pillar that transcends the gaming medium, making it nearly impossible to surpass.
But that doesn’t mean that others haven’t tried. WhileMinecraftcontinues to reap the benefits of its cultural ubiquity and best-selling status, other developers, big and small, have tried their hand at similar casual, crafting-and-survival-focused gaming experiences, but few have managed to get even a taste ofMinecraft’s popularity. Games that take direct inspiration from Mojang’s breakout hitincludeDragon Quest BuildersandLEGO Worlds, and while these certainly have their fans, they aren’t typically viewed as genuine contenders forMinecraft’s throne—no one’s grandparents are buying themDragon Quest Buildersmerchandise for Christmas. But why exactly isMinecraftso tough to beat?
Minecraft Is a Perfect Storm, Impossible to Stop
Minecraft Competitors Are Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place
WhileMinecrafthas had countless expansions, crossovers, and new features added over the years, it still excels by virtue of its simplicity: the game is a building sandbox with survival features, and can be as complex as the player desires. Like so many beautiful things, this simplicity is whatgives way toMinecraft’s appeal, as anyone can hop into the game, intuit the basics, and learn the more complicated elements from there.
This puts games looking to compete withMinecraftin a tough position. This sense of pick-up-and-play simplicity is central to theMinecraftexperience, but if a competitor attempts to replicate such simplicity verbatim, it will wind up being a clone of the original, which is hardly attractive to consumers or enthusiasts. By the same token, if these games add new ingredients to the pot, as it were, then they wind up becoming more cumbersome, losing theelegance that makesMinecraftso popular.
This conundrum is what makes it sohard for"Minecraft-likes" to stand outand succeed on their own. Unlike, say, soulslikes, which can often benefit from added layers of complexity and more radical changes to genre conventions (see:Lies of P), games that draw uponMinecraftfor inspiration are hogtied by simplicity, unable to differentiate without sacrificing widespread appeal and accessibility.
None of the above points constitute a critique of any particularMinecraft-inspired game. Rather, these issues may help explain why such games don’t attain the cultural status of Mojang’s seminal work.
Minecraft Is Too Big to Fail
Minecraft’s sheer popularity and cultural relevance fill up the entirety of its genre space. As previously mentioned,Minecrafthas gone beyond the realm of gaming, becoming a cultural touchstone represented through clothing, home decor, and film, to the point where its influence is nigh-unstoppable.Minecraftisn’t something that’s only for hardcore, lifelong gamers: it’s an accessible, foundational experience specifically designed to cater to the broadest audience possible. And, of course, one cannot overstate the impact that corporate giant Microsoft, which boughtMinecraftin 2014, has had on the game’s ever-expanding relevance.
Perhaps the day will come when another game challengesMinecraftfor its crown, though it will be a David versus Goliath situation. After all, it’s not necessarily a fringe opinion thatGhost of Tsushimahas outdoneAssassin’s Creed, or thatStardew Valleyis better thanHarvest Moon. These games capitalized on the shortcomings of their main inspirations, offering a fresh and much-needed alternative. The same could very well happen toMinecraftdown the road.
Minecraft
WHERE TO PLAY
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
