Minecraft maps are a great way to play the game in a new and versatile manner. From parkour to PvP, from puzzle to adventure, single- or multiplayer – maps can come in many different flavours. But what makes a good map? We asked you, our readers, to give us your opinions on maps and what makes you play them.
WHY DO YOU PLAY MINECRAFT MAPS?
“I use Minecraft maps whenever I want to host an event with friends, without having to make the map myself,” says content creator Brilzy.
Having something to play with friends overall was a very common reason – as was having something fun to do when you’re bored. “The Minecraft environment can be used for so many different ideas and stories,” event player and animator TheMCMaster132 tells us. “I feel like a custom Minecraft map is a good way to spice things up sometimes.”
Lastly, maps are sought out to hone specific skills, for example by Pandora’s Box project lead Dannypicacho: “My main reason for starting a map is to practice parkour.”
HOW DO YOU FIND NEW MAPS TO PLAY?
When looking for a new map, players most often rely on web searches or their favourite map-distributing websites. Kaimaxon, the co-owner of Lumen Network, mentions PlanetMinecraft or MinecraftMaps as two solid sources. Twitch streamer ascottishbean mainly uses the latter website, but also relies on recommendations from others: “Sometimes I see other creators play one and then I will give them a go myself.”
Recommendations are what TheMCMaster132 uses to find maps as well. “Most of the maps I played I’ve gotten from other content creators as well as friends who have recommended them to me.”
WHAT MAKES YOU CHOOSE ONE MAP OVER ANOTHER?
The maps that are commonly played tend to be adventure or puzzle maps, or maps that train a specific skill like parkour or PvP. Apart from the category being what you want to play, the map also needs to leave a good impression, both in-game as well as via the way the map is distributed. “I often look for high-quality information and the effort put into the marketing/graphics of the map,” ascottishbean says. “I prefer maps that have unique gameplay mechanics and/or storyline ideas.”
Brilzy agrees, but adds: “It needs to be unique without being too complicated. A simple, yet interesting concept is perfect.”
Happymanster, organiser of MCC Island tournament ICT, mentions yet another attribute that helps when picking a map. “I look for familiarity and whether it looks good at first glance.”
What that first glance should be seems to depend on the kind of map. “For an adventure map, the builds have to be good,” Dannypicacho tells us. “When your map revolves around exploration and aesthetics, it is essentially a requirement that your map is visually pleasing. For parkour maps, only the jumps really matter. Escape rooms should look nice but the design and intuitiveness of the puzzles is the most important part.”
WHAT MAKES YOU KEEP PLAYING?
Once a map has been started, there are a few things that are needed to keep players engaged. Beyond not having any major bugs and soft blocks, it’s important that a map sticks to the premise that was shared when it was chosen. “The best way to judge how good a map is for me is if the map holds up to how it’s promoted,” Brilzy says.
Kaimaxon agrees. “If the actual map translates well from the images, or if it is just generally not laggy.”
The perceived difficulty of both the creation and the gameplay also play a role. “It needs to pique my interest, usually based on how technologically impressive it looks to me, or if I feel like I can complete it,” says BluSpring, developer for Unity Multiplayer, CrunchMunch Creations, and KiltMC.
Gameplay-wise, there is one thing most players mention is very important. “A player should always be able to understand what is happening,” says TheMCMaster132. “A good map is able to convey a storyline, mechanics, etc. without much confusion.”
At the same time, a little bit of mystery and intrigue is also welcome, according to BluSpring. “I will keep playing if I’m unable to figure out how a trick is done, if I know how it’s done and how complicated it is, or if I’m genuinely impressed by a mechanic.”
More generally, it just needs to be fun and engaging. As Happymanster puts it: “I just need to be excited to be playing it for a long time and not want it to stop!”
The lack of excitement is indeed mentioned often when talking about reasons to stop playing maps. “Maps should be engaging to the player and help take them out of their normal routine, but when a map feels repetitive or like something you’ve seen before, boredom can set in pretty quickly,” says TheMCMaster132.
“A lack of clear guidance through the map can make it difficult to understand where you’re meant to go or what you’re meant to do, and that makes many maps unenjoyable,” ascottishbean adds. There are many others who agree an unclear or unintuitive pathing is detrimental to the enjoyment of a map.
ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAPS?
Of course, we couldn’t end the questionnaire without asking for recommendations. Happymaster enthusiastically mentions a classic: “Terra Swoop Force by Noxcrew! They are insanely good map-makers, and I’ve enjoyed all the maps they have made.”
“Noxcrew has very technologically impressive maps,” BluSpring adds, “but I also recommend the Diversity maps by qmagnet due to how genuinely innovative they are.”
Brilzy’s favourite map is Whirlpool Parkour by Zombie1111. ”It’s not too long and very fun to play with others because the layout allows you to see where everyone is.”
There were also some recommended mapmakers in general, with ascottishbean saying they’ve enjoyed every map SimonDMC has made. “These maps are high quality and make good use of unique mechanics combined with good old traditional Minecraft.”
Meanwhile, Kaimaxon recommends Twelfth115. “The maps are pretty fun and high quality, with a lot of custom resources that make the experience even more unique.”
What makes you choose to play a map, and what is a map you would recommend to everyone who is looking for something fun to do?
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