It takes a while to build up a full arsenal, especially due to how many gems are required to level up equipment skills, but once you’ve got a foothold the game opens up into a fun combat romp. Minecraft Missions Dungeons is designed with younger players in mind, so on standard difficulty it’s too easy for any kind of seasoned player, but after a few levels you can crank it up to the hardest and eventually get a decent challenge that can actually run the risk of killing you. Enemies attack in large numbers, whether they be familiar Minecraft creatures like zombies, spiders and skeleton-archers or newer threats such as the corrupted Illagers (like villagers but ill) or zombie-summoning sorcerers. Combat is initially a simple matter of holding down the attack button and letting the combo animation play out, broken up occasionally by needing to shoot archers that don’t want to hang out in melee range. The final levels do a nice job of putting all your abilities to the test, though, requiring regular use of magic, support pets, keeping an eye out for traps in the environment and giving the bow a good workout.

Another spin-off, Minecraft Legends takes a stab at the strategy genre, albeit with an action-focused gameplay loop. Similar to Dungeons , this title seems to be designed to function as a gateway option to a genre that tends to primarily attract hardcore players. The result is a game that incorporates most strategy fundamentals, just in a simplified f

In order to survive, they’ll need to brave an army of insects while being sure not to starve or dehydrate. Much of the game takes place within the confines of a single backyard, with new areas becoming available as the main story progresses. Naturally, these new areas contain stronger, more dangerous insects like spiders and bees, ensuring that the difficulty level increases together with the player’s sk

The lack of plot means the action needs to carry the game, which Minecraft Dungeons nicely pulls off. It’s a fairly stripped-down entry in the genre, with no character classes or specializations, but instead focuses on character customization through loot. At the start you choose a character skin, none of which have any advantage or disadvantage over another, and then through the course of the adventure find gear to fit your play style. There are six slots to fill, three of which are for action accessories assigned to the controller face buttons and the others being the equipment of weapon, armor and ranged, and while it’s tempting to go for straight power over anything else, it’s better to find things that suit your play style.

Minecraft Dungeons and Torchlight do somewhat render Fate obsolete, in the sense that they are more modern action RPGs that scratch the same itch; however, the 2005 release and its sequels are nevertheless charming and worth seeking out. They are also quite cheap on Steam, so they do not require much of an investm

Released in mid-2020, Grounded is one of the most original survival games on the market and, for those old enough to remember it, will likely invoke fond memories of the classic eighties comedy, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids . That’s because the plot is somewhat similar, with players taking on the roles of young children who have been shrunk down to the size of a

Dyson Sphere Program is still a work in progress, but the current version is quite impressive and robust in its own right. The developer released a combat update toward the end of 2023, an addition that added a new dynamic to the gameplay l

The worst aspect about them is that each bite infects the player character with a poison that eats away at their health even after they’ve run away. Getting mobbed by a pack of these in a mineshaft deep underground is a surefire way to meet a horrible death without the right preparat

It took around six years for Space Engineers to come out of early access although fans of the game will argue that it was well worth the wait. The game looks great! At this point, it’s overflowing with content to the point where completing it all will take players hundreds of hours. That’s not a bad return at all for a title that costs less than

Some may not like the game’s minimalistic art style, but those able to look past its simplicity will find a lot to like elsewhere. It features a strong narrative, solid crafting mechanics, and an intriguing world that’s sure to pull players in. Where it really shines, however, is through its multiplayer mode which helps to provide players with a real sense of purpose and an added significance to all that they

We’ve stumbled into some uncertain times, dear readers. I can’t say I’ve ever experienced anything as intense as the Social Distancing Era. As we watch doctors of all kinds on the news recommend that we stay home as much as possible, we’re faced with new challenges to overcome. Those of us who self-isolate may find this to be a troubling time — especially if it affects our income, work, childcare or health. Yet “social distancing” doesn’t have to mean completely cutting yourselves off from your support network! Path of Exile is a beautifully robust ARPG that will help bridge the gap. It’s like if Developer Grinding Gear Games basically wanted Diablo 2 back, so they created their own Grecian-inspired version. It’s all there: awesome loot, a unique ability-gem loadout system, a massive skill tree that allows you to create inspired builds. It features online co-op so you and your buddies can play through the story together. The best part is that it’s free-to-play, so it’s an ease on both your mind and your wallet during these trying times. Path of Exile can be found on Xbox One, PS4 and PC which means a wide audience will be able to enjoy playing.