‘Mooncraft’ Is Minecraft But On The Moon With Pistols & Jetpacks

Herds of space giraffes and enemy astronauts await players in Mooncraft. Developed by mode of expression, LLC, Mooncraft is a foraging survival sandbox game on the iOS similar to Minecraft … oh, who am I kidding, it is Minecraft but on the moon with pistols and jetpacks. Two modes make up Mooncraft, creative and explore. Both modes generate random maps in four save slots. Creative allows you to interact without limits and an inventory full of minerals while explore aims for survival with enemies. Players can change four world settings: tree cover, terrain roughness, exotic terrain and cave frequency. Configuration goes a bit further in the options menu, allowing players to customize view distance and control sensibility. Unfortunately, there isn’t a multiplayer option.

While mining away, players will encounter mobs. Some mobs are passive, like the space giraffes, while others tend to be more aggressive. The giant monolith-sized ‘blue l’ will only steal an item. The green, mean-faced blocks with a G on their back are more aggressive, attacking players on sight. The cubical game world looks decent on the iPhone and minerals are easily deciphered, but some might find Mooncraft’s 8-bit world plan. The audio is simple and sound effects, like the drill, can become repetitive after extensive mining. Mooncraft makes up for its lack of visual and audio appeal with easy, natural controls. The left thumb controls movement while the right thumb controls action, which is broken down into three icons; the eye icon near the bottom controls the view; the leaping figure icon toward the top controls jumping; and the center icon uses whatever item is currently equipped. This might sound daunting, but the controls are rather intuitive and functionally smooth. Once a map is generated, players are off to mine minerals, build bases and defend territory against 8-bit aliens.

It was fun experimenting with different minerals in the assembler. Creating refined aluminum from exolunar soil and impure aluminum not only helped build a battery, but also made my base shinier. Gold appeared when I mixed zircon ore with elemental gold, and as we all know, gold can be a valuable tool in turning enemies to allies. Setting up turrets around a base can help players defend their turf. Throw some refined titanium, a battery and slug pistol in the assembler and voilà – no more loitering astronauts. Mooncraft is free. How does a game like Mooncraft stay free? In-game advertisements, of course. Advertisements can take up screen space and make it difficult to mine. Players can rid their visors of ads for $2.99 and if a little help is needed at the assembler, a guide runs $0.99. A bonus camera view is unlocked upon giving feedback. If players are willing to sacrifice screen room for advertisements and don’t mind a missing multiplayer mode, than Mooncraft hits the fundamentals of a foraging and survival game. Considering Minecraft – Pocket Edition currently sells for $6.99, Mooncraft is a cheaper alternative that gives players the same overall experience … on the moon. AppPicker Rating: 3 / 5 Stars Pick It Up in the App Store: Mooncraft Other apps by Mode of Expression

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoZtMOLYWSo&list=UUa2zubXko_t3HdP2RoSjcwg&feature=player_detailpage