Title: Video Game Review: Minecraft Windows 10 Edition - What's New?
Author: Stunt
Recovered Author: Stunt
Published Date: 2017-02-15
Original URL: https://geeknode.co.za/2017/02/minecraft-windows-10-edition-whats-new
Wayback URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20170716164400id_/http://www.geeknode.co.za/2017/02/minecraft-windows-10-edition-whats-new/
Recovery Confidence: high
Categories: Video Game Review
Tags: Edition, ender, minecraft, pocket, windows 10

- Developer Microsoft Studios
- Publisher Microsoft Studios
- Distributor Microsoft Studios & Mojang
- Where we got our copy Xbox South Africa
- Genre Simulator
- Game modes Single Player, Multiplayer, Co-op
- Players 8
- Reviewed on PC

- Where to buy Microsoft Store , Mojang

- Stunt

- 5 months ago

- 0 0

A game like Minecraft needs no introduction. Its name alone established almost as a genre and very often referred to as such when comparing the ever growing pool of sandbox survival games released every year.

Since its humble inception as a Java block building gem in 2009, Minecraft has seen immeasurable growth in its years. Officially launched by Mojang in 2011 Minecraft grew into such a colossal brand that there was almost not a platform it didn’t reach. By 2012 4J Studios developed it for the Xbox 360 and in the following two years for the Xbox One, PS3, Vita and PS4. In this time even the Mobile market got the Pocket Edition for both Android and iOS, I mean even LEGO got in on it and released their LEGO Minecraft range. However, the most notable success of Minecraft was its $2.5 Billion buyout from Microsoft in 2014. Luckily, a lot more than hands has changed for the second best-selling game in history (The first being Tetris in all its forms).

With the acquisition by Microsoft, Minecraft very quickly found itself running exclusive builds on the primary Microsoft platforms, the most recent being the Windows 10 Edition of Minecraft, which I’m having a look at today. Not faring too far from the still very popular Java version, the Windows 10 Edition is primarily based off the pocket edition, but don’t let this sway you, it’s very content rich regardless especially after the full release and Ender Update that landed in December.

Not to be compared with the Java version, which is tough to do given the platform, the Windows 10 Edition does find its place quite well in the market. Being a full release after leaving Beta recently has added a lot of new, much needed content to the game – including but not limited to its greatest void, an end game. Finally allowing players to create ender portals in order to reach the Ender Realm and all its wonders, players can now finally slay the end-game boss, the Ender Dragon.

To some this might not seem like big news, but to fans of the series it’s rather massive. The sheer amount of content it adds to the game in the form of ingredients and items to the likes of ender pearls, eyes of ender, ender chests, Elytra that allows you to fly, Purpur blocks and many more; New opponents like the pigmen, endermites, shulkers; The End City and End Ship, polar bears and igloo’s. They even increased the world height to 256 Blocks! I could really just carry on, no really survival even gets cartable lingering potions and tipped arrows. This all among a massive list of improvements, bug fixes and, tweaks and smaller additions like the official Minecraft soundtrack that soothed us all into the 8 th hour of our Minecraft grind… Well, most of us… Okay just me.

Now, for the hardcore java MC fans out there who are eyeing the Win 10 Edition as an alternative or the pirates looking for a more honest lifestyle, it must be know that there are quite a few differences between the two PC versions. Most notably, mods. Even though the Win 10 Ed does support have a few texture mods and skin packs, they cost money – Not too enticing for the Java players who’ve become accustomed to a plethora of mods that make small gameplay and content changes to massive visual overhauls of their Minecraft worlds.

What it does have up its sleeve though is official VR support for the Oculus Rift and endorsed mod Vivecraft for the Vive and Google Cardboard. It also allows local crossplay with owners of the pocket Edition on Mobile devices, multiple control schemes supporting a mouse & keyboard combo, controller (preferably xbox controller) and touch across Windows Phone and Windows Surface tablets.

What’s apparent is that if you’re a fan of Minecraft, grabbing the Windows 10 Edition is a no brainer. Entering a world of endless exploration and limitless building and mining fun is an experience suitable for all ages. Especially if you follow my guidelines of acquiring it below:

However most importantly of all for the Java owners, is that it’s free if you already own the Java Version. For the rest of us it’s currently on sale at $10. The price will eventually rise to $26.99 which is the default price for the Java Version, so if you’re smart grab that and then grab the Windows 10 Edition from the Windows Store absolutely Free! I know the special price is up for 1 more week as of today (13th of February 2017) but I have no idea if the free offer for Java owners is a limited time offer – so best get at it!

A game like Minecraft needs no introduction. Its name alone established almost as a genre and very often referred to as such when comparing the ever growing pool of sandbox survival games released every year. Since its humble inception as a Java block building gem in 2009, Minecraft has seen immeasurable growth in its years. Officially launched by Mojang in 2011 Minecraft grew into such a colossal brand that there was almost not a platform it didn’t reach. By 2012 4J Studios developed it for the Xbox 360 and in the following two years for the Xbox One, PS3, Vita and PS4. In this time even the Mobile market got the Pocket Edition for both Android and iOS, I mean even LEGO got in on it and released their LEGO Minecraft range. However, the most notable success of Minecraft was its $2.5 Billion buyout from Microsoft in 2014. Luckily, a lot more than hands has changed for the second best-selling game in history (The first being Tetris in all its forms). With the acquisition by Microsoft, Minecraft very quickly found itself running exclusive builds on the primary Microsoft platforms, the most recent being the Windows 10 Edition of Minecraft, which I’m having a look at today. Not faring too far from the still very popular Java version, the Windows 10 Edition is primarily based off the pocket edition, but don’t let this sway you, it’s very content rich regardless especially after the full release and Ender Update that landed in December. Not to be compared with the Java version, which is tough to do given the platform, the Windows 10 Edition does find its place quite well in the market. Being a full release after leaving Beta recently has added a lot of new, much needed content to the game - including but not limited to its greatest void, an end game. Finally allowing players to create ender portals in order to reach the Ender Realm and all its wonders, players can now finally slay the end-game boss, the Ender Dragon. To some this might not seem like big news, but to fans of the series it’s rather massive. The sheer amount of content it adds to the game in the form of ingredients and items to the likes of ender pearls, eyes of ender, ender chests, Elytra that allows you to fly, Purpur blocks and many more; New opponents like the pigmen, endermites, shulkers; The End City and End Ship, polar bears and igloo’s. They even increased the world height to 256 Blocks! I could really just carry on, no really survival even gets cartable lingering potions and tipped arrows. This all among a massive list of improvements, bug fixes and, tweaks and smaller additions like the official Minecraft soundtrack that soothed us all into the 8th hour of our Minecraft grind… Well, most of us... Okay just me. Now, for the hardcore java MC fans out there who are eyeing the Win 10 Edition as an alternative or…

Video Game Review: Minecraft Windows 10 Edition – What’s New?

Video Game Review: Minecraft Windows 10 Edition – What’s New?

2017-02-15

Stunt

Total

Total - 9

90
9

If you're a fan of mining, building, gathering, hunting, exploring or just fun in general - Get it. Even if you already have it, get it again, then buy a Playstation 4 and Xbox One and get it there as well.

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9

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Stunt

Gaming Editor / Tech Author at Geek Node

Some say that he sees the world at 144 frames per second and his thumbs are actual analog sticks. All we know is he's called Stunt.

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Article Tags:
Edition · ender · minecraft · pocket · windows 10

Article Categories:
Video Game Review
