Crafted Review
Price: $0.99
Version: 1.0.1
App Reviewed on: iPhone 3GS
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Basically, Crafted is Minecraft sans a few of the more recent additions. In 2D. Almost everything present in the most popular video game of all time is here, too. Players begin their adventure in a procedurally-generated world, then go out and do whatever they feel like. As they gather materials they can tools, which in-turn will aid in gathering better materials, etc... If they get sick of building a house, they can mine. If they don't want to mine, they can explore. If that sounds boring, they can hunt. The list goes on...
Hours will easily melt away while playing Crafted. Much of the game (read: all of the game) is self-directed, so it's easy to break away from one task to pursue another at a moment's notice. It's also incredibly easy to say "I'll go back and craft once I finish digging out this vein of minerals," only to notice a new patch just outside of a torch's light. Thus prompting further exploration. Conversely, I've gone back to the surface in order to make an honest-to-goodness house (instead of a literal hole in the ground) and found myself spending way too much time agonizing over layouts and placements. It's a never-ending cycle, and one that I couldn't be happier to find myself stuck in.
I find myself conflicted about Crafted. On the one hand it's more than a little questionable, what with the "almost-copied" everything. On the other, being in 2D does make it feel significantly different. But if the more than obvious inspiration weren't a factor then this would be an easy recommendation. Taken on its own merits, Crafted is an amazing open-world sandbox experience. One that's infinitely re-playable and beyond worth the $1 asking price.