Summary
Minecraft’s Caves and Cliffs updates did a lot to give the game a makeover, giving a new coat of paint to the world’s peaks and caverns. Despite this, one iconic piece ofMinecrafthistory should have gotten some love during this time.
Caves and Cliffs was a whole era forMinecraft, split into two explicit halves. However, it encompassed far more than just 1.17 and 1.18; the two updates after Caves and Cliffs, 1.19 and 1.20, added in other promised features. In fact, the bundles promised for 1.17/1.18 are also pending, which has led to some arguing that the era is still ongoing. Whichever way fans interpret the rollout of changes unveiled back in 2020, it’s undeniable that the update spiraled into something bigger than any fan expected.
Minecraft Should Have Updated Its Dungeons Alongside Its Caves
Though Caves and Cliffs was wide-ranging, there are still elements of the underground that feel somewhat undercooked. The poster child for thiswould beMinecraft’s classic dungeons, the mossy cobblestone cubes that churn out basic enemies to guard a sampling of loot. This structure has remained almost entirely untouched since 2010, seeing mostly a handful of minor loot and generation changes. While this has cemented its iconic status, it would be hard to argue that it feels underdesigned when compared to bastions or ancient cities. Though the dungeon should remain only a light challenge, the old dog could use some new tricks.
Minecraft’s Dungeons Are Too Predictable
Dungeons were renamed ‘monster rooms’ some years ago, and it’s easy to see why; they’re a far cry from what many expect from the term. A dungeon in gaming conjures up images of true gauntlets, obstacle courses filled with traps and puzzles.Minecraft’s dungeon structure is nothing likethose ofZeldaorDnDand, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it does speak to a desire for more design elements.
This perspective has been especially sharpened byMinecraft’s upcoming trial chamber structure, something 1.21 will focus on almost entirely. Mojang has really shown off the trial chamber, highlighting all of its unique traps, rooms, and mobs. It’s a complex structure with layered obstacles and great loot, which has the unfortunate side effect of showing up in the typical dungeon. While there’s no need for a common dungeon to be overly elaborate, having an extra room or an extra element (even something as small as a water element or a dart trap) would excite newbies and veterans alike.
Dungeons Should Have Variants Rather Than An Overhaul
Though dungeons are undeniably played out, they don’t need to become anentirely newMinecraftstructure. They stand as little enclaves of classicMinecraft, boxes of simple monsters and simple loot that still provoke memories about the good old days. Moreover, they’re still very useful, housing decent loot like name tags and music discs. They can also be turned into easy XP and resource farms, staying competitive as alternate methods (like kelp smelting) get patched out. It would be a crying shame if these fragments of the past went without preservation.
What could be done, rather, is something similar toMinecraft’s Armored Paws update. 1.20.5 added new types of wolves for players to find, but kept the classic gray wolf around. Dungeons should be approached in the same way. Keeping untouched monster rooms around while throwing in the occasional variation would do a lot to keep fans on their toes. These could be randomly generated, with each dungeon having the chance to spawn an extra obstacle, or simply be new dungeon types. In fact, dungeon variants could even be biome-dependent, incorporating biome-based mechanics like vines, ice, or falling sand.
Minecraft
WHERE TO PLAY
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
