The Blockheads Review – Minecraft flattened

Our rating:

By: Majic Jungle Software

Version #: 1.0.1

Date Released: 2013-01-19

Developer: The Blockheads

Price: 0.00

User Rating:

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Since Mojang released the epic world adventure/building game Minecraft, many have tried to create their spin on the genre. There have been numerous clones or spinoffs that all either directly or indirectly owe their inspiration to that game. Blockheads might not be the first world builder game on the iOS, but the developers have said that they hoped to add their own special spin. Is that enough to lure you into the world of pixels and blocks?

Blockheads starts with generating a 2 diminutional world with multiple biomes and varying landscape. There are mountains and valleys and caves to explore. You begin by warping in a blockhead which is your character. You can customize the way he looks a little but they all basically work the same. You start next to a warp gate that serves as a starting point for your character as well as a shop where you can purchase special items with the use of time crystals. While Blockheads is a freemium game and time crystals are the minimization for those that don’t want to wait for projects to finish, the time waiting isn’t bad and I found myself using the ability to queue up actions to maximize my time. I can then set the phone down and do something else, such as write this article and when the chop chop chopping is done I know its time to go back and give my little blockhead another task.

The early game revolves around building shelter and gathering supplies and food in order to survive. While there is no permanent death in Blockheads, you still have to keep an eye on hunger, happiness, and energy like a square headed sim, or else your character will slow down to a crawl. Once you have cultivated a renewable supply of food and building material, the game pretty much leaves you to do what you like. Will you build amazing multi-room buildings? Will you mine into the depths to find gems and other treasures? Will you hunt the ever present dropbear that always seems to attack me on my way back home at night?

Part of the appeal of games like Blockheads or other iOS favorite Junk Jack is the seemingly endless possibilities and freedom to explore or create. This can also be a stumbling block for some who become paralyzed by the lack of direction or goals in the game. Mojang addressed that will the addition of an adventure with a final boss to defeat. At this time there is no end to Blockheads except when you want to end.

Another concern is from fans of other iOS games like Minecraft Pocket or Junk Jack might think there isn’t anything new in this game. There is where the developers attempted to stand out with a different crafting interface and the inclusion of multiplayer. In Blockheads there are several types of tables to place that all have a series of recipes that they can craft. You won’t have to refer to a guide to know what you can build. The multiplayer also provides you will a great way to go on hunting and exploration trips when the two players and work together.

If you like the open ended adventures of Minecraft or Terraria, then Blockhead has a versatile world packaged in a simple interface that works equally well in portrait or landscape more. I think there is plenty of space for Blockheads in the app store especially with its low cost of entry.