Minecraft Dungeons has already undergone some testing before its release. Critics are presenting their reviews and Metacritic is collecting the score ratings. Currently, the game has a rating of 76 out of 100 on Metacritic. What is the criticism?
This is Minecraft Dungeons: Minecraft Dungeons will be released on May 26, 2020, on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
The game is a spin-off of the well-known block game as an action RPG. While playing, Minecraft Dungeons resembles a simple and fast variation of hack and slashes like Diablo.
On Metacritic, the ratings are mixed but tend to be positive.
All Ratings for Minecraft Dungeons at a Glance
This is the testing situation for Minecraft Dungeons: On May 23, three days before the release, scores for the Xbox and PC versions can already be found on Metacritic. The PS4 and Switch scores are still being evaluated.
As of this time (May 23, 10:00 AM), 14 reviews have been submitted for the PC version. For the Xbox version, 4 reviews.
From these reviews, Minecraft Dungeons is currently pulling a metascore of 76 on PC and Xbox One.
Minecraft Dungeons on Metacritic – The Scores
These are the individual scores for PC:
- Windows Central – 90 points
- Everyeye.it – 85 points
- Gamers Heroes – 80 points
- GamingBible – 80 points
- Attack of the Fanboy – 80 points
- Destructoid – 80 points
- Multiplayer.it – 70 points
- SpazioGames – 70 points
- PCGamesN – 70 points
- GamesRadar – 70 points
- Stevivor – 65 points
These are the individual scores for Xbox One:
- GameSpew – 80 points
- TrueAchievements – 80 points
- Video Chums – 73 points
- Trusted Reviews – 70 points
How Did the 76 Points Come About – What Criticism Do the Ratings Show?
This is what the ratings on Metacritic say: Here we summarize some of the ratings for you. The simple entry is praised, and the gameplay is reported to be easy to understand. However, criticism is directed at the fact that the content is also straightforward and that the game does not go particularly in-depth.
“Minecraft Dungeons belongs to the best action RPGs of the genre” – Windows Central
In the review from Windows Central, which currently gives the most points on Metacritic for Minecraft Dungeons, the endless, refined combat is praised. Also, the music that plays during the gameplay and the unique graphic style in which the game is designed score points.
Minecraft Dungeons seamlessly blends the world of Minecraft with the action RPG style of Diablo to create something truly compelling.
[…]
If I am destroyed by powerful slimes with extra armor and flame trails, I just want more powerful loot. This familiar, satisfying addiction that comes with loot-driven games like this has already captured me due to the ongoing, fulfilling combat in the game. If you are a fan of action RPGs, I dare say that Minecraft Dungeons will ultimately be your next addition as well.
“An exciting step for the Minecraft franchise” – GamingBible
Among the strongest ratings are the 80 points from GamingBible. In their review, they summarize:
Minecraft Dungeons is a charming game that will entertain you and your kids for a few good hours. A decade after the original game, this is an exciting step for the Minecraft franchise giant, and I can’t wait to see where the journey goes next.
The review also states that Minecraft Dungeons might seem a bit too simple for experienced dungeon crawler veterans.
“A simple Diablo […] for a younger audience […]” – PCGames
In the review from PCGamesN, it is written that solo players have less fun than groups, and that the content is better suited for younger players.
Adults playing solo will likely find [Minecraft] Dungeons mostly unsatisfactory. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hit all the right dopamine switches with its level and loot systems. Raid groups, on the other hand, will probably have a great time, at least for a while.
[…]
A simple Diablo that exudes charm and loot diversity, but is probably better suited for a younger audience.
The tester Ben Maxwell from PCGamesN also asked his 6-year-old son what he thinks of Minecraft Dungeons. They played the game together for a few hours. He replied: “I think it is well designed and the first level is easy. The second level is hard. The best part is the stone boss and the Enderman boss.”
“A more accessible entry into the hack-and-slash genre” – Gamesradar
In the review from Gamesradar, Alex Avard writes that while there is a lot of fun to be had in Minecraft Dungeons, it is also quite short-lived.
As a more accessible entry point into the hack-and-slash genre, which levels the playing field against its stronger counterparts, Minecraft Dungeons succeeds brilliantly and fills a market gap in a way that only a Mojang creation could.
But these achievements are not enough to avoid the feeling that it is […], a bit short-changed. As the base game reaches only the absolute minimum of what is usually expected from an action RPG in terms of content, replayability, and player progression.
Furthermore, the review states that the block-based hack-and-slash provides fun and is recommended for any player fascinated by Minecraft. “Even for those who have no history with the franchise so far.”
“An entry-friendly mini-Diablo” – What GameStar says
Rene Heuser and Maurice Weber discuss Minecraft Dungeons on the GameStar YouTube channel. Heuser played the closed beta and was able to gain an impression before the release.
“It plays like a very entry-friendly mini Diablo,” explains Heuser. Players who play Diablo or other action RPGs would quickly find their way around, “but everything is a bit easier.” This speaks for:
- There are no classes – Everyone can do melee or ranged combat
- The equipment system is straightforward, there is no talent tree
Nevertheless, it is a solid hack-and-slash that also shows effects like “burning”, “stunning”, “knocking back”, or “slowing down” that you also know from Diablo. The “flow” works well and everything fits together.
We embed the GameStar video here:
MeinMMO also looked at the game in the closed beta and summarized 5 things that Minecraft Dungeons does differently than Diablo 3. In doing so, we look at weapons and armor as well as crossplay and cooldowns.
Minecraft Dungeons will be released on May 26, 2020, and will cost €20 for the base version, and €30 for the Hero Edition (with skins and access to two future DLCs).
