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Sandbox voxel game and game engine Minetest 5.6.0 is out now

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Want to play something somewhat resembling Minecraft with excellent modding support, that's also free and open source? Minetest is what you need and a big new release is out now. Minetest is a game engine and platform, for others to build upon and make whole games like a clone of Minecraft and tons of other unique entire game-packs and mods.

Version 5.6.0 brings with it:

  • More work on their rendering engine
  • Dynamic shadows
  • Fixed Transparency Sorting
  • Better mod support
  • Improved login/register UI
  • Improvements to the Scripting API

Minetest has been gaining some traction lately too, with more people taking notice like popular YouTuber AntVenom who did a video highlighting it that's worth a look:

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5 comments

Lamdarer Aug 9, 2022
Maybe you could assemble a list or report about good Minetest Games such as MineClone5 etc, because playing just Minetest doesnt really cuts it, also MineClone is nice but it kinda doesnt catch up to Minecraft while just being a clone instead of trying to achieve more.
So if you happen to stumble across some good or interesting Minetest Projects/Games I would be happy if you would write about them.
reaperx7 Aug 11, 2022
It's always nice to see open source alternatives to Proprietary software, even if it's Minecraft. I really like how MineTest wants to be like Minecraft, but also do their own thing equally.

With all the negative press Minecraft has gotten over 1.19.1 and later updates that have Chat Reporting and the complete shutdown on community feedback acknowledgement, having sound alternative games to play for people who might want different but similar, is actually good to see.

I really hope they have a lot of success with it.
kneekoo Aug 27, 2022
Quoting: LamdarerMineClone is nice but it kinda doesnt catch up to Minecraft while just being a clone instead of trying to achieve more.

MineClone2 is currently the more up to date Minecraft-like game based on Minetest. And while it misses various things compared to Minecraft, it actually offers a lot. But it also comes with a few things [1] of its own and it's both free software and actively developed, which is a huge plus.

[1] Things of its own:
- great world generation, with outstanding landscapes and terrain features;
- the Overworld can have floating islands thousands of blocks up in the sky, and it can be quite fun to set up bases there :) (has to be enabled when you create the world from the Minetest menu);
- while work towards supporting huge structures is going on, some custom ones are present, like the Woodland Cabin (really cool) and the Nether Outpost;
- vegetation grows faster, which makes it quite convenient to get wood and crops, especially for newbies in the early game (not a feature, just something useful)

Now the game's focus is indeed to be Minecraft-like, but in recent months there's been an increasing interest in adding more original content and a few contributors started making mods that might have a chance to be integrated at some point, like air currents, airship (engine-powered air balloon), parachute, jetpack (WIP), extra structures (desert oasis, birch forest temple ruins, graveyards, brick pyramids), etc.

It's a very well featured game and fun to play. :) Well worth keeping an eye on it.
Pengling Aug 27, 2022
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Quoting: reaperx7I really like how MineTest wants to be like Minecraft, but also do their own thing equally.
And the cycle goes on, seeing as Minecraft was itself inspired by someone else's game.

Quoting: kneekooMineClone2 is currently the more up to date Minecraft-like game based on Minetest. And while it misses various things compared to Minecraft, it actually offers a lot. But it also comes with a few things [1] of its own and it's both free software and actively developed, which is a huge plus.
For how I play MineClone2 suits me down to the ground, and I've had no reason to want to re-buy Minecraft in order to play it on my PC (I had owned it on the Switch previously, but sold up and left consoles behind a while ago).

Also, it's silly, but I like MineClone2's takes on the iconic animal mobs - they're still recognisable, but also usually a bit different in order to be legally-distinct (whether they're distinct enough I couldn't say, but I like how they look).
kneekoo Aug 28, 2022
Quoting: PenglingAlso, it's silly, but I like MineClone2's takes on the iconic animal mobs - they're still recognisable, but also usually a bit different in order to be legally-distinct (whether they're distinct enough I couldn't say, but I like how they look).

The texture pack is PixelPerfection, with a few additions from the MineClone2 community. It's definitely not a good idea risking Microsoft/Mojang's "attention" by copying their art.
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