Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Beautiful Art Direction
Clunky Unit AI
Repetitive Gameplay Loop
Minecraft Legends is an approachable and colorful blend of action and real-time strategy that successfully translates the franchise's iconic building and exploration into a tactical format, though it often feels hampered by its simplified mechanics and chaotic unit management.
But in spite of its few shortcomings, Minecraft Legends is still a bold and exciting new direction for a franchise that continues to stand the test of time. It's a game that understands why Minecraft is so compelling in the first place and then twists those elements into an action strategy experience that can be hard to put down. Its only missteps come from its limited scope and how it leaves players wanting more because its core gameplay loop is so good. Minecraft Legends is approachable, captivating, and just a really good time.
Minecraft Legends is an engaging strategy game that capably combines the established Minecraft world with a streamlined RTS structure.
An action strategy spinoff that disappoints both genres and misses Minecraft's magic.
Minecraft's blocky charm is present and correct, but the rest of Minecraft Legends is only as deep as the skins it wants to sell you.
Longevity will no doubt come from DLC, much as with Dungeons, but that ultimately leaves Minecraft Legends feeling like an incomplete experience. There are so few schematics and troop types to work with, keeping things from getting too overwhelming for those new to the genre, but leaving little else for those hoping to enjoy a new strategy game. And if you come to it hoping to find Minecraft’s signature sandbox feel, you’ll also be sorely disappointed, as the well quickly runs dry.
"Like Minecraft Dungeons before it, Minecraft Legends is a great concept let down by middling execution"
Minecraft Legends battles to blend its open-world adventuring with the intricacies of real-time strategy, a war that sometimes detracts from the overall fun you can have. Even so, its gorgeous environments and clever world-building inspire familiar creativity that makes up for its growing pains. Where other strategy games feature more profound complexity, Minecraft Legends has heart, and it’s hard to resist its charm. Mojang’s first expedition into this genre occasionally holds your hand too tight. But when its grip loosens, there’s a vibrant world of combat challenges to discover, ultimately making it an enticing endeavor.
Minecraft Legends has a lot of good ideas, but the combat mechanics aren't suited for actively engaging in the act of war.
