Minecraft’s next major spin-offMinecraft Legendsis almost here, and it looks like it could be a lot of fun. The game will be bringingMinecraft’sblocky world to the action-strategy genre, and it seems like the perfect starter RTS for anyone who wants to explore the genre. It may be exactly what the RTS genre needs right now, and it has the chance to finally get theMinecraftspin-off right.
Minecrafthas had a bit of a strenuous relationship with spin-off games.Minecraft: Story ModeandMinecraft Earthare no longer playable, whileMinecraft Dungeonsreceived mixed reviews from critics and players. It does not feel like Mojang has quite nailed down what theseMinecraftspin-offs should be, and hopefully,Minecraft Legendscan change that.
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Minecraft: Story Mode
The first majorMinecraftspin-off took the blocky world to a genre that no one could have really expected. Telltale Games was tapped to create an episodic point-and-click game set withinMinecraft, thusMinecraft: Story Modewas born. It wasMinecraft’sfirst foray into story-based content, and it proved popular enough to get two full seasons. While it never blew critics away, it was a decent experience forMinecraftfans.
The story ofMinecraft: Story Modefollowed a character named Jesse and their friends on a journey to find the mythical Order of the Stone. Unlike earlier Telltale titles, players were able to customize Jesse to their liking. The plot also went for a more family-friendly tone, and that made it perfect for younger audiences. It may not have reachedthe heights ofThe Walking DeadorThe Wolf Among Us, but it still featured a pretty interesting tale for players to enjoy.
Players would controlMinecraft: Story Mode’s cast of characters through eight different episodes in season one, and five in season two. Every choice that the player made could change the trajectory of the story, and sometimes these choices could have major ramifications. It wasa pretty decent point-and-click adventure, but it has been left to gather dust. The game was removed from sale when Telltale closed its doors, and there has been no news of a revival since.
Minecraft Earth
Minecraft Earthbrought the blocky world to the augmented reality space. It was a free-to-play sandbox game for iOS and Android, and it utilized the player’s location to deliver a unique type ofMinecraftexperience. It was likePokemon GOwith aMinecraftspin, and it was entertaining when it first launched.
Players would walk around the real world and gatherMinecraftresources called tappables. These tappables could be acquired by finishing various tasks, fighting mobs, or solving puzzles. A lot of these tappables came fromMinecraftdirectly, but there were also manyMinecraft Earth-exclusive items. Players could get buildplates that let thembuildMinecraftstructuresin the real world with their blocks alongside other players.
Minecraft Earthhad a lot to offer, but the gameplay loop quickly got stale. The game only lasted for three years before Mojang pulled the plug on it. Official support for the game ended in June 2021, and there do not seem to be any plans to revisit the concept.
Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft Dungeonsis the only major spin-off still standing in 2023.DungeonstookMinecraft’s blocky world to the dungeon crawler genre, and it seems to have worked mostly well.Minecraft Dungeonwas criticized for its short storyand lack of depth, but it feels like the perfect starter dungeon crawler for anyone that wants to check out the genre.
It has all the conventions of a dungeon crawler and othergames similar toMinecraft Dungeon, but a bit more streamlined. Players fight through procedurally generated dungeons, collect loot, and level up their characters. They can do this solo or with some friends, and it can be pretty enjoyable. The six expansion packs have only added to the fun factor, and Mojang also brought the game to arcade cabinets with the help of Raw Thrills.
None of theseMinecraftspin-offs have proven as groundbreaking asMinecraftwas, and most of them have failed to make any sort of impact. It feels like the franchise has never quite found its footing outside the sandbox genre, but hopefully,Minecraft Legendsfinally shows players what these spin-offs can be.
Minecraft Legendsreleases on May 30, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S
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