Video games have become one of the biggest forms of mainstream entertainment. Whether it’s Candy Crush mobile games or hardcore PC shooters, everyone and their grandmother has played at least one video game or two. The industry is only growing, though, with countless games releasing every year, whether from the big-name studios like Nintendo or indie sleeper hits.
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Our cup runneth over, so you’d think that means we’d be enjoying a wide variety of different titles, genres, and experiences… right? Not me. Despite the selection, I can’t help but fall back onto that one game. With god knows how many hours logged into it, and so many better games to play at this point, I always find myself booting up that launcher one more time. These are the games I’m ignoring in order to play more Minecraft.
8
The Hero Shooter Of The Season
It Probably Has Some One-word Title
Are you excited for the latest in triple A gaming excellence, according to a billion-dollar game publisher? These hit titles feature only the smoothest gameplay, the latest cultural references, and the hottest graphics. If that doesn’t draw you in, maybe their cutting-edge loot box system or microtransaction scheme will. Each randomly generated box is scientifically designed to cost as much money as possible without gaining the ire of the user base, rewarding you with one of seven different color palettes.
The truth is: I don’t care. Sure, plenty of my friends and coworkers are playing it, and they’re having fun. But there’s been a new one of these every year since 2012. Maybe it is good, but will it be remembered when the new thing comes out next year? I don’t know. What I DO know is that there’s a new biome in Minecraft for me to explore, and that doesn’t have a battle pass.
7
The Indie Roguelike Deck Builder
To The Lamentation Of My Friend With An Engineering Degree
There’s something tremendously clever about the merger of deck-building games and the indie roguelike scene. The randomization effect combines fantastically with the level of strategy and overlapping mechanics. It cultivates a real hard-to-put-down vibe in its main gameplay loop. It might even be too palatable…
You know what, you’re right. I don’t have time to get into this game. There are a bunch of cards I’d have to figure out, and there are probably bosses with gimmick mechanics or something. I’m already pretty busy; I should probably just go back to that abandoned mineshaft I found in Minecraft instead.
6
Whatever Hoyoverse Game Came Out Last
Honkai Impact Zero
Mobile gaming is the biggest it’s ever been. Everyone and their grandma has a smartphone, and half of them probably have Genshin Impact installed. They’re all free to play, using randomized microtransactions to unlock new characters. They probably have fantastic personalities, interesting stories, and an overall engaging plot. I wouldn’t know; I never actually got off the space train in Honkai: Star Rail.
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In Minecraft, though, I make my own story. The world is mine to explore and create; no hero pulls required. The internet is full of anime characters, I don’t need to pay seven dollars for the random chance of seeing a specific one. Watching Vtubers play on their Minecraft SMP server is a close enough experience, I figure.
5
The Open World Sandbox Survival
It’s ALMOST Minecraft
Plenty of games have revolutionized a genre. Roguelikes are based on a game called Rogue, Metroidvania is what it says on the tin, and even Soulslike is a more modern game design concept. Minecraft may not have invented the open-world survival sandbox, but it sure as hell rocketed the concept deep into the mainstream. Now indie studio and Triple A team alike are making their own takes on the formula.
All in all, they deliver the same experience: you can go anywhere, build things, fight things, all while managing things like health and hunger. Some offer new mechanics or gimmicks, but they’re the same deep down. In that case, why settle for the copy? Minecraft was a game changer for a reason. I’m not here for New Coke, I want Coke Classic.
4
The Triple A GOTY Winner
All That Time Playing An RPG Could Be Spent On More Minecraft
Do you like action RPGs with engaging storylines? Me too. They’re big, bombastic, exciting, and memorable. Anyone who can should experience the delights these games have to offer. I’d love a chance to play them…
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I’m going to be honest: I can’t afford these games. They’re probably worth every dollar, but I have bills to pay and limited finances. I might grab one of these every couple of years, but otherwise, odds are I’m skipping out until they go on sale a few years later when everyone stops caring, and a new blockbuster is on the scene. Meanwhile, I already own Minecraft.
3
The Game All The YouTubers Are Into Right Now
Multiplayer Horror? Battle Royale? All Those Good Things
There’s no denying that the YouTube video game letsplay scene is a big one. And when all the top channels are playing the same game, I notice. Their dazzling personalities and charming (but often a bit stupid) humor really sell these games. It’s so fun watching them that sometimes I think I’d enjoy these games for myself.
But would I? Do I want to play these games, or do I long for the serotonin derived from watching someone far more entertaining than me play them? Do I want a new game or to feed a parasocial relationship? We’ll never truly know.
I know that Minecraft also falls under this category. Counterpoint: mind your own business.
2
The Cozy Farming RPG
The Ones With Romancable NPCs
Cozy games are a thing now. There are countless indie delights on the market, all designed to curate a warm, pleasant atmosphere. They probably cite Stardew Valley as one of their main inspirations (which means there will be a farming mechanic) and invoke colorful hues and gentle pastels to bring it home.
This is all fine and good until you find out that half of the storylines, mineshafts, and relationships abruptly stop about halfway. A lucky few manage to break out of the whole Early Access sinkhole, but do I really want to have to come back and start a new game with every major update? I mean… I do, but I’d rather do that when it’s a Minecraft Update.
1
My Tax Filing Software
I Shouldn’t Be So Turbo-Lax
There is no piece of software on my computer that I have a more strained relationship with than my tax software. It’s all the worst parts of playing a resource management game without any of the fancy graphics. Not to mention that the plot line drags on for way too long, with just about nothing entertaining happening in between. The main character is pretty cool, though.
It’s also a terribly expensive experience. That’s a lot of money I could be using to buy those Triple A GOTY winners I mentioned earlier. At least in Minecraft, I can just dig up gold whenever I need it. If I tried to do that here, government agents might just come knocking. Too risky, no thanks.
Minecraft
- Released
-
November 18, 2011
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence