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[OneMoreNameless]

The first section contains a few of my favourite maps that I believe best demonstrate their genres. The second section contains all of the maps I recommend, with a brief summary of what strengths and weaknesses you can expect from them. The last section is a reference list of the remaining maps I have reviewed but do not advise playing unless you are sure of your tastes. Full reviews are available from the map threads.

Shining Examples

If you're looking for fast-paced combat through terrain far more interesting than caverns ...

Spoiler

Mine 4 Dead: Blockhawk Down
Inspired by Left 4 Dead, this map is constructed as three linear levels that take you from the tops of crumbling city buildings all the way down to claustrophobic sewers. The scale is both large and personal, and with the custom texture pack you'll barely realise you're still playing Minecraft. The number of enemies keeps the atmosphere tense without being overwhelming. The difficulty is well balanced and can be adjusted using Minecraft's options or by bringing a friend along to fight with you. Either way, you'll be constantly moving onto new areas and struggling to survive until you reach your final destination. Every aspect of the map is polished very professionally. This is a must-play for fans of action!

If you're looking for lovingly crafted dungeons with a mix of puzzles, traps, and fighting ...

Spoiler

Poor Pete's Pumpkin Problem
This map begins with a quick and amusing excuse plot that I won't spoil, then throws you straight into the first of several very clear dungeons. The setup and progression is altogether oldschool gamey. Individual rooms alternate between clever puzzles, short fighting sequences, optional loot to gather and even the occasional trap. All the parts are well designed and interlock nicely with almost no inconvenience should you fail. Your exploration starts in traditional caves and dusty old rooms before progressing into increasingly impressive locations and scenery. All this map lacks are true boss sequences, but don't let that put you off - the journey is well worth the download.

If you're looking for parkour exploration around unique and bizarre architecture ...

Spoiler

The CUBEception
You'll love it or you'll hate it but you can't deny it that what this map does, it does well. The CUBEception is a 'play on peaceful' map that focuses entirely on clever jumping challenges while you explore the intriguing mix of run-down mundane and bizarre otherworldly architecture that makes up your prison. Your path will be long and never short of variety. You will learn more and more of your story as you advance. And if you aren't careful, you will find the sun rising IRL as you search for the next checkpoint or secret room.

If you're looking for epic scaled adventure and roleplay with a group of friends ...

Spoiler

Criswelvania
Although the main quest is styled as homage to Castlevania, this adventure is much larger and more involved than it seems. The map comes complete with a series of guidelines that work best for a roleplaying server, as well as a detailed scoring system for players who are looking for more of a challenge. The main quest is streamlined free of puzzles or filler that could bore a group, instead focusing on beautifully designed architecture and frequent combat with plenty of loot to share around. But where this map really shines is the expanded content: there are sidequests and secrets galore, all amongst terrain that feels natural but is always rewarding. If you want to host just one map to stay entertained for days, this is the one.

If you're looking for polished demonstrations of what Minecraft's engine allows for ...

Spoiler

Eronev Mansion Adventure
The technical achievements alone would be enough reason to download this map. Changing NPC speech, true multiple endings, clever puzzles and all kinds of conveniences and visual effects have been implemented with basic redstone components. The adventure is designed with casual viewings in mind; there's nothing combat-centric to miss if you play on peaceful and most challenges can be skipped if you feel like it. You won't though since so much attention has been given to the entire map. The atmosphere is pleasant, game borders are subtly rewarding to explore and there's clever teasing to encourage you onwards. The ending sequence is amazing. This is a map that has forever risen the bar for other creators.

If you're looking for somewhere to just relax and have fun ...

Spoiler

Funland
Not every map has to be about the challenge or wrapping your head around another complex construction. If the thought of punching another zombie in the face makes YOU groan, then it's time to visit Funland again! This Minecraft theme park has everything you could want to unleash your joyful inner child, from water rides to amusement mini-games to restaurants to lots and lots of roller coasters. There are simple coasters, themed coasters, even elaborate underground coasters. They're all easy to navigate using a transportation monorail and brochure map, so don't worry about missing any. There are even secret areas for attentive fans. It's fun!

Recommendations

Aurgelmir, the Solemn Giant ~ creative build, difficult climbing
A godly beautiful creation focused on a huge natural tree, with surrounding terrain. The map includes several long climbs, although even the easiest gets fidgety in places and some sections inside the tree trunk aren't visually impressive. A must-play for hardcore parkour fans, and worth at least checking out otherwise.

CastleCraft ~ traditional puzzles, casual challenges
A large castle filled with several hours worth of simple themed challenges. Some parts are a little boring, but there's good variety within the basic gameplay types presented. Mazes, jumping and memorisation feature often. A few puzzles are particularly clever. Some areas lack polish. Enjoyable overall.

The Curse of Sunny Springs ~ dungeon-style, puzzles, jumping
An adventure map that sends you into three themed temples. Contains jumping sections and some very clever puzzles. Can be played on peaceful. Towns are cozy and wonderfully designed. However, initially poor guidance is likely to waste some time and certain lava sections can render the map unwinnable without cheating.

Death Island ~ survival, difficult caverns
A complete-the-monument style challenge to fetch treasure from a cavern system. The starting island is uninteresting but the caves are packed tight with mobs, traps, features and rewards. The difficulty is high, but death isn't too painful. A short, fast-paced delving with all the fun and none of the tedium.

Fear in a Handful of Dust ~ open world, atmospheric
A story-driven adventure with an old west feel. Well written narration, consistently convincing scenery and a unique 'vision quest' opening. The main quest is fairly quick to complete and lacks any challenge, but there are many optional points of interest to slowly find. For fans of a well crafted environment.

Levi's Nightmare ~ story-driven, atmospheric
A fairly small, scenic map with an emotional story. The very natural design, attention to detail and loose rules make the world feel real and gives the story its powerful impact. Getting stuck on where to go next may dampen your immersion once or twice. Unexciting hidden ingots are the only side plot.

The LOST SOULS series ~ searching, atmospheric
This post-apocalyptic map serves as both a beautiful construction and lengthy adventure. The story and world progression are mostly smooth with some halts for required searching. Challenge is otherwise low enough to only bother. Some patience is required, but this is a rewarding exploration.

The Necromancer's Tower ~ escape-style, simple challenges
A slow-starting adventure with a mix of challenges as you ascend the titular tower. Some areas are bland and there's not much of a theme, but there are nice touches and bonuses throughout. The top of the tower has by far the best visual design and clever tricks. The boss fight is epic. Worth sticking with.

Survival Mountain ~ survival, climbing
A pure survival map on a tall, barren mountain surrounded by lava sea. Treacherous heights make exploring challenging and mobs much more of threat than normal. Caverns are rewarding to discover. Still underdeveloped, but an enjoyable change from generic island or desert maps.

Other Reviews

The Cave-in: Could be a very short and sweet jumping map if not for a handful of amature mistakes. Not bad, just not enough to bother with.
City Conquerer: Empty space, little plot and a lacking atmosphere suck interest from what might have been a good outline of an adventure. Obvious WIP.
Four Towers: Pure hack and slash map. Lengthy with well designed side areas, but visually plain and very repetitious combat. Some technical issues.
Goldmine: Dungeon-style map with very lazy guidance and a pointless overworld. A few cool moments, but mostly uninspired and boring.
HammerSide: Linear quest through a grand temple. Charming story and impressive architecture, but with frequent dull stretches. Greatly surpassed by the creator's newer map.
The Hitchminer's Guide to the Galaxy: A series of unrelated tasks with absolutely minimal effort and no relevance to its name. Entirely pointless.
Lindwurn Castle: Overstretched compilation of light puzzles. Mostly enjoyable, but some obvious duds and annoyances bring it down. There are better maps available.
The Remnants of Ouranos: An RPG with an amazing introduction and landmarks. Empty interiors, hideous signs and free gear kill the immersion. Aimless wandering kills playability. Watch for updates.
Return to Bloodycross Castle: Nicely designed locations with very awkward storytelling. The adventure consists almost entirely of running back and forth.
SawCraft: A line of rooms covering every possible bad game design. No aesthetics or believable relation to the Saw series. The worst map I've played.
The Secrets of Anvale: Unremarkable, but passable, adventure map. The few traps and puzzles are obvious while combat difficulty fluctuates. You're not missing anything.

[Jigarbov]

Wow thanks for the praise for Eronev Mansion! Really nice list of reviews.

[Razack541]

Thanks so much for recommending my map! You've collected quite an elite list here. I'll have to play some more of these. I keep telling myself I need to play Jig's map, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. I really need to.

[guy1234567890]

Try my map please! Escape the Facility! Link in sig
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=34uNrtYC51I

[Robotinator]

Very nice reviews. The review of The Necromancer's Tower was a bit of a surprise. It's been so long since I've worked on that one.

[Jigarbov]

Razack541, on 02 September 2011 - 08:56 PM, said:

Thanks so much for recommending my map! You've collected quite an elite list here. I'll have to play some more of these. I keep telling myself I need to play Jig's map, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. I really need to.

Yes you should totally get on that!

[OneMoreNameless]

You know, I'd be more convinced by the compliments if they didn't come exclusively from the designers of maps I reviewed favourably.

Anyways, I'm going to be taking a break from Minecraft at least until 1.8 is out and stable. This topic probably won't be updated since the upcoming changes will mess up most current custom maps anyway. Sorry guy1234567890, but your map has quite enough attention anyway.