Mine, then craft, then mine, then craft, then LUNCH! Then mine, then craft . . .

If you were like me, you've probably heard of Minecraft before, but didn't quite understand what the hype was all about. Let me tell you, reader-- believe the hype. The premise seems repetitive and mundane on the surface, but dig a bit deeper (pun intended) and you will find something more. Whether you are set out to survive, or to build creatively, the sky is the limit (another Minecraft pun) with what you can do here.

At first glance, the pixelated and chunky graphics might be a turn-off, but in time the visuals become a part of the game's charm. You play from a first person perspective, using WSAD keys to move, and using a very simple control scheme. The controls and the look are completely modifiable, and you can browse through a nice list of user created texture packs if you don't like the default look.

An example of a structure you can build in Minecraft

Upon your arrival to the Minecraft world, you'll find a randomly generated map that spans seemingly infinite. Depending on how your map was seeded, you will find yourself in different biomes such as tundra, desert, rainforest, and others. The untouched natural world is yours to tear down and build back up, into whatever you want to make of it. If creative building isn't enough for you, there is the game's default survival mode, where you quickly find shelter to protect yourself from the monsters that spawn in dark areas in the night. Digging a hole in the ground to make a bunker, or constructing a modest shack is typically the objective of your first day's work. From there you dig deeper into the earth in search of precious metals to make your experiences easier and more satisfying.

Creepers are the staple of fear in Minecraft.
Get too close and: ssssss BOOM!

Minecraft is limitless in cosmetic constructions, at the moment you might hit a slump in the functional side of the game. Nonetheless, you can craft torches, storage crates, furnaces, weapons, tools, mine-carts, signs, and other similar items. Sink enough time into the game and you will find yourself with a monster-proff fortress complete with a lava moat, monorail system, storage and forging rooms, an underground farm . . . whatever it is you want to make out of it. There is even a circuit system you can use with a rock called redstone, allowing you to open doors with levers or buttons, or shift the direction of a conjoined mine-track.

The promising thing about Minecraft is that it is worth the price-tag of 15 euros, and it is still in development. Buying into the beta guarantees you a copy of the full game, which is available for Windows and Mac. Part of the fun is enjoying all of the new updates, and being a part of the process of a flourishing indie game. As time goes on, I'm sure the developers will fill in the missing gaps and gamemodes to create an experience that no one can resist.

Given that Minecraft will see a lot of new content, I will be sure to post more on the game in the future. If you happen to have found yourself purchasing the beta access, check out this wiki for a helpful guide of crafting recipes, item lists, and other tips.