Don’t dismiss Terraria as nothing more than a glorified 2D Minecraft clone- there’s actually lots of fun to be had.
Developed by Re-Logic and Engine Software, this port of the 2011 best-selling Steam game combines the exploration, crafting, and terraforming aspects of the aforementioned blockbuster building title with classic RPG and platforming elements to create a charming and addictive sandbox experience. Terraria boasts a wide array of enemies and boss battles that encourages players to keep crafting better weapons and armor, and plenty of hidden magical items strewn high above and far below the surface world to warrant hours of exploration. I’ve personally dug caverns that would put the Mines of Moria to shame.
While some players may choose to brave their customized sprite through Terraria with little more than the pickaxe, axe, and minutely helpful hints from a wandering NPC, I highly recommend those new to the game tackle the new Tutorial mode. There you will learn how to forage for resources, build a shelter, and defend yourself from enemies, all basic skills needed in order to really delve into what the game has to offer. With enough progression and a decent enough shelter, rather useful npc vendors show up to make survival a little more tolerable and your play options far more interesting.
It is important to note that the most prominent barriers present in the open-ended world of Terraria are those players create either due to a lack of courage or imagination. Once those hitches are gone, the skies themselves barely pose a limit. After amassing enough resources, you can create structures ranging from fortresses filled with elegant suits of armor and fine furnishings to underground war bunkers packed with crafted weapons, accessories, and magical items to face the world head-on. That being said, there’s still nothing quite like the thrill and instant satisfaction of finding chests filled with goodies deep underground- and you’ll need every one of them to hold your ground against Terraria’s biggest baddies.
Added to this console port of Terraria is the addition of online and offline multiplayer, a new end-game boss, and a (once again, highly recommended) Tutorial mode. It also features new weapons, new armor, and new vanity pets to keep you exploring for hours on end. The word “time sink” creeps into mind after losing sleep in the adventurous and highly creative world of Terraria, but I always wake up with a smile on my face and eagerness to get back in.
If you enjoyed Minecraft and love a good action/adventure experience that you set the pace of, I highly recommend taking a trip through Terraria.
Terraria is available now on the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and PC.
Terraria Official Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzCfLhQDnOM