The Blockheads Review – Minecraft flattened

By
On January 29, 2013

App Type: Uncategorized

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.

Quick Take

Value:High

Would I Buy Again:Yes, its free

Learning Curve:Moderate

Who Is It For:Fans of Minecraft

What I Like:Queuing up actions, no recipes to discover

What I Don't Like:2 dimensions limits building potential

Final Statement:The world is your block!

Read the Developer's Notes:
Night is falling and your blockhead is freezing.
You haven't yet made shelter and your campfire has gone out.
All you have is a spade, some wood and a few sticks.
You have only minutes before exhaustion hits.
Do you create a bed, dig a cave or refuel your fire?

What will you do?

?????

Explore, mine, craft and build in this giant and detailed sandbox game. Navigate huge simulated worlds thousands of blocks wide with a full temperature and climate system, seasons, an equator, and frozen poles. Explore complex cave systems and flowing water, and survive deserts and snowy mountain tops.

Play alone, or with a friend, with online two player multiplayer and voice chat over Game Center.

• Control your blockheads in a vast randomly generated world with oceans, mountains, forests, deserts and deep underground caves.
• Keep an eye on their needs - give them sleep, feed them, create clothing and shelter - and they'll be happier, quicker and more productive.
• Craft tools with the resources they find, and they'll be able to work even faster and find more resources.
• Upgrade workbenches and unlock more advanced items to craft.
• Discover precious stones and metals deep underground, or rare plants and animals on the surface.
• Craft a boat and navigate the oceans using the accurate night sky to guide you.
• Make fur clothing and venture to the North Pole.
• Pick coconuts at a tropical beach.
• Cook meat at a campfire.
• Build a marble palace.
• Paint the walls.
• Plant an orchard.
• Ride a donkey!

Article By

Nathan has been an avid Apple user and advocate since the days of the Apple ][. He has always sought to find new ways to make use of technology to assist his daily life. As a paramedic in southern California Nathan brings his familiarity with technology to the field, and at whatsoniphone.com he brings his critical thinking to he analysis of apps and news. You has also written app reviews for the mobile app site Smokinapps.com.

nathan-kline has written 110 awesome app reviews.

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