Review: Minecraft PlayStation 4

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minecraft ps4 (2)

After what feels like an eternity, Minecraft finally launches on the PlayStation 4. Offering bigger worlds and allowing players to import worlds and saves from the PlayStation 3 version, This promises to be the biggest Minecraft game yet outside of PC.

Pros:

  • Typical Minecraft graphics that we are all used too.
  • Import saves/worlds from your PlayStation 3.
  • Cheap upgrade option. If you own the digital version or played online with the physical copy, You can upgrade for a mere 3.69. This also counts if you play online but dont own the digital version.
  • Bigger maps and more in line with the PC version. its a whopping 36 times bigger than the maps on the PS3 version.
  • 4 player offline split screen.
  • 8 player online play.
  • Gameplay is umm Minecraft! Make your own adventures, craft items and generally make your own game!
  • Better performance with hardly any slowdown, Increased draw distance and no visible pop up.
  • Small file size under 240mb.
  • Tutorial option in case you want to brush up.
  • Full platinum trophy with a whole new set of trophies to earn.
  • faster loading times.
  • Same controls as on the PS3 but also has two additional layouts to choose from. You can select to invert controls or use southpaw.
  • Adjust graphic options like render clouds,bedrock fog, opacity.
  • Change split screen orientation.
  • Adjust HUD size, turn it off.
  • Handy tutorial/hints pop up whenever you encounter a new item. Can be turned off though.
  • Loads of day one dlc. You can try all the DLC out for free but the downside is you cannot save when using any of the trial DLC.
  • Auto save doesn’t pause/stop the game anymore like on the PS3.
  • Host options for online games are still expansive. Select whether to have PVP, host privileges, TNT and fire progression. Allow friends of friends to join or lock it to friends only or invite only.
  • Level generator is back, type random words,numbers or even letters to create unique levels. You may be able to use the same pnes from PS3!?

minecraft ps4 (1)

Cons:

  • Music is new but still grinds on long play throughs.
  • Still a long way off from matching the PC version for content. We still do not have Witches, horses etc.
  • Other indies have always done there PS4 upgrades for free, Just sayin.
  • No clever use of the DS4 touch pad, its used as just a straight up button press. In this case it is used as the select button.
  • lOads of day one DLC.
  • No auto save timer slider.
  • No cross platform multiplayer.
  • Not a huge step up on the grand scheme of things.
  • Split screen can cause a lot of any slowdown, Well more of a delayed action than slowdown.

In Summary, Its Minecraft and its on next gen! The release came out of nowhere, But even that couldn’t stop the PS network going down under huge traffic. At the end of the day it is nice to have bigger worlds and better performance but that aside, The game should really be more on par with the PC version. I mean I love Minecraft and I still do not know how to quit it but I want it to be the same as PC. Yeah it will never be completely inline with the PC but its still quite a gap. Going next gen you expect it to offer a bit more over the last gen versions. Ignoring that this is the version to get on console as its better optimized and runs really well. If you have it on PS3 then for the small price you may as well get it plus it has a new trophy set. In short its Minecraft, You decide.

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!