How do you know when you've found a great video game?
For me, knowing I found a great game comes at three in the morning. That's when I finally look over at a clock and realize the sun will be up in a few hours. Even then, I contemplate taking one more turn before sneaking off to bed. At that point I know I'm playing a great game.
Those "one more turn" games are rare. Sure, some games will get me to midnight or one AM, but to get to three without realizing it doesn't happen very often. The most famous 3AM game that comes to mind is Civilization (any of them). In Civilization you're building your civilization and expanding your borders while negotiating or fighting your neighbors. There's a plan in your mind and you need one more turn to advance your continously developing plans.
Over the past two weeks I've discovered another 3AM game. Minecraft. You may have heard of it, and if not, you probably will as it gets more references in the main stream media.
Minecraft drops you into a 3D world created of cubes and allows you to build and develop it however you please. There are oceans, deserts, forrests, plains, snow fields, and mountains in this world. It's great just to wander around admiring the landscape but it's better to start building. Before you start building your first house, you'll have to go gather up the raw materials. Getting wood from a tree isn't too dificult, but from there you'll be building tools and other items to make life easier for yourself.
Light washes across the world as time passes from morning to night. At night, the monsters come out and try to get you (just like real life), so I suggest you stay tucked inside during these hours unless you are prepared to fight.
Minecraft will get a gamer to 3am with no problem as the imagination eggs you on to develop your world. As one thing takes shape it often has you dreaming of your next project. Before you know it, it's 3am and you realize you're playing a great game.
For me, knowing I found a great game comes at three in the morning. That's when I finally look over at a clock and realize the sun will be up in a few hours. Even then, I contemplate taking one more turn before sneaking off to bed. At that point I know I'm playing a great game.
Those "one more turn" games are rare. Sure, some games will get me to midnight or one AM, but to get to three without realizing it doesn't happen very often. The most famous 3AM game that comes to mind is Civilization (any of them). In Civilization you're building your civilization and expanding your borders while negotiating or fighting your neighbors. There's a plan in your mind and you need one more turn to advance your continously developing plans.
Over the past two weeks I've discovered another 3AM game. Minecraft. You may have heard of it, and if not, you probably will as it gets more references in the main stream media. Minecraft drops you into a 3D world created of cubes and allows you to build and develop it however you please. There are oceans, deserts, forrests, plains, snow fields, and mountains in this world. It's great just to wander around admiring the landscape but it's better to start building. Before you start building your first house, you'll have to go gather up the raw materials. Getting wood from a tree isn't too dificult, but from there you'll be building tools and other items to make life easier for yourself.
Light washes across the world as time passes from morning to night. At night, the monsters come out and try to get you (just like real life), so I suggest you stay tucked inside during these hours unless you are prepared to fight.
Minecraft will get a gamer to 3am with no problem as the imagination eggs you on to develop your world. As one thing takes shape it often has you dreaming of your next project. Before you know it, it's 3am and you realize you're playing a great game.
No comments:
Post a Comment