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Minecraft Earth for iPhone

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 0.33.0
  • 4.5

    (215)
  • Security Status

Softonic review

Experience the world anew

Avid Minecraft fans are in it for a pleasant surprise as Minecraft Earth brings your favorite sandbox game to life. Using augmented reality (AR), the pixel blocks you’ve come to know and love will start to take over the real world, through your mobile device’s camera lens.

So don’t be surprised if you start seeing your favorite pixelated trees perfectly blending in with the other trees in your local park. However, Minecraft Earth isn’t just about bringing your existing creations to life — it’s also about creating new ones. In the same vein as Harry Potter: Wizards Unite or Pokémon GO, you must go outside and explore.

Go on an adventure

Before any of your creations — based on in-game templates or “buildplates” — can take form, you will have to dig around for materials. Players will have to explore their surroundings, searching for resources to use in their builds. Completing challenges in your neighborhood by seeking loot and rewards through the lens of your phone camera is also part of the adventure. Like Pokémon GO, Minecraft Earth has scattered challenges and stops in different areas for Minecrafters to visit.

The thrill of exploration in this game rewards you with a stocked inventory brimming with materials plucked straight from the original game. You’ll gather dirt, cobblestones, sand, and other items by tapping on “tappables” and participating in adventure events. When you get within range of a tappable, you can interact with it by tapping it a few times, simulating the quintessential mining action from the original. As you stroll around your neighborhood, the familiar and melodious Minecraft soundtrack plays softly in the background.

Eventually, you’ll realize that the game is largely centered around the cycle of collecting materials, using them to build the buildplates, and repeating the process. The buildplates you initially have access to are quite limited. As you level up, you unlock more buildplates or, alternatively, you can purchase fancier ones using the in-game currency — rubies. Such a loop of collect-build-repeat may appeal to a younger audience, but others may find it monotonous and repetitive.

As a casual and social game, this title promotes cooperative gaming rather than competitive. There won’t be any player-vs-player mode. Instead, players are encouraged to band together, form new groups, and go on an adventure as a team. There’s no limit to how many people can join an adventure. Plus, having more people in your group typically means finishing challenges way more quickly, especially those requiring combat. When the team wins, everyone shares the rewards.

End of an era

Unfortunately, the developers have decided to pull the plug on Minecraft Earth in mid-2021. The decision has been part of a strategic plan to redirect resources “to other areas that provide value to the Minecraft community.” Following that, the game was rendered obsolete, but the players’ character creator items remained in their accounts. These are still usable in Minecraft: Bedrock Edition. As a bonus for everyone who has ever made an in-game purchase in Earth, they’d be given Bedrock for free.

The Earth is your playground

Overall, Minecraft Earth was an innovative venture that took the gaming experience to unprecedented levels, integrating the real and digital worlds with AR. It encouraged not only creativity but also exploration and social interaction, fostering a sense of community among gamers. Although it followed a basic cycle of collecting materials and building, some found it appealing, while others viewed it as monotonous. Regrettably, its run was cut short in 2021.

PROS

  • Fun and interactive AR game elements
  • No team member limit
  • Immersive gameplay

CONS

  • Limited combat feature
  • No player-versus-player
  • Rather repetitive mechanics
  • No longer online

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages


Minecraft Earth for iPhone

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 0.33.0
  • 4.5

    (215)
  • Security Status


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