Official Site: http://www.terraria.org/
Buy it on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/105600/
Source: Youtube Channel demilogic
Developer: Re-Logic
Distributor: Steam
Platforms: PC
Release Date: May 16, 2011
Genre: Adventure, Indie, Action, RPG
Pros:
-World is randomly generated which makes exploration for each new world different
-Lots of items, equipment, tools, weapons, materials and content
-Non-linear, you can play the game anyway you like. It's a sandbox-like game.
-Multiplayer provides many ways of playing including Role-Play, Player versus Player, and Co-op
-New content is regularly added to the game
Cons:
-Gathering the needed materials can be a grind
-Setting up Multiplayer can be a hassle and has some lag sometimes
-You'll have so much fun that you didn't realize the sun is already up
Terraria is exactly the type of game I need after a long day's work and competitive gaming becomes to frustrating to play. Terraria has a good balance between relaxing gameplay and fast-paced action. There is no ultimate goal set for the player, so the player is free to choose what they want to do. Some like to build incredible buildings like art pieces, some like to explore and fight monsters, and others like to compete against other players. When a world is created, it is randomly generated and allows the player to explore, gather materials, and fight monsters in an on-going adventure where in-game time affects the gameplay and new content is regularly added like an online game would for their MMORPGs. It is easily explained as a 2D version of Minecraft with more combat and exploration along with the building but has its own special aspects that makes it unique and captivating. For $10, you can easily get 50-100+ hours out of playing Terraria and even more if you play with friends or other people online.
Graphics
The developers decided to go with a retro pixel art style as their main medium. Because of this, the game runs very smoothly even on the highest resolution. The game captures the nostalgia of classic 2D games through its pixel-based sprites, some platforming, and even costumes referencing to many 2D retro games such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. The decision to stick with pixel-based sprites also makes it easier for the developers to create new content and quickly add them to the game. It's also an easy way for players to be able to quickly determine the environment around them due to its simplicity in color contrast and differences. Even with the classic pixel art, the game still has some lighting effects, particle effects and such which gives it a bit more modern feel. I couldn't imagine the game in using flash-based vector art or 3D models in a 2D environment. It would lose its unique charm without things looking so retro. All the measurements are block based which makes it easier to program randomly generated worlds. All that's missing is having even more content for the game to expand its library of things to collect and do. Graphics: 10/10
Audio
Here's where it gets a bit weird. The music in Terraria are composed of orchestral sounding instruments, 8-bit soundchips, and some electronic drums and synths. It sounds awkward at first, but it quickly fits in the game. The music is actually very imperative to the gameplay. It signifies cues throughout the game to let the player know what's going on. There's music to tell when it's day time, when it's night time, when the player is 100 meters below the surface, when they're in a corrupted area, etc. Each track is about a minute long, and they might get annoying to some people (I like it). I can't say I love it, but the music is catchy, memorable, and works rather well with Terraria. The sound effects are the usual "swoosh" and "bang" of swords and guns with a few recordings of the player going "ow" or "splat" after the player dies. You will probably hear "splat" a lot in the beginning as it's not an easy game. The music and sound effects aren't stellar or mind-blowing, but they really work with the game and more than satisfactory. Audio: 8/10
Gameplay
Terraria turned out to be a lot harder than I thought, which made me like it even more. The game challenges the player to adapt to situations, even if the player is free to do what they want. I didn't know too much about building my own structure, so I spent most of the time in the beginning flattening lands, gathering wood, and killing slimes. When night came, I experienced the difficulties of not having a house to protect me and was slaughtered by zombies and floating eyeballs 7 times within the night-time in-game. So much of the gameplay is about exploring, learning from mistakes, venturing off to unknown territories to gain new items and materials, and making the game what the player wants out of it. I like the exploration and fighting aspects of the game, but I also like some of the more leisurely tasks as well. So in the game during daytime, I collect materials and build my house. At night, I forge new weapons, decorate my house, go outside to fight bosses, and organize my backpack. When I feel ready, I journey off underground or off to the sides of the maps to more dangerous areas to see what I can find. The player has a ton of things they can do: mine, build, craft, fight, explore, hunt for treasure, PvP, Role-Play, etc. The reason why it's called a sandbox game is that the world is the player's sandbox, and they can do what they want in it. It has the exciting aspects of finding new weapons like in Phantasy Star Online (one of my favorite games) and exploring new areas that are really dangerous like in Demon's Souls (became one of my favorite games). The player can also choose to play on "Hardcore Mode" which really tests the player's ability to play safely and smart and not die. Normally, a player would lose half the money they carry if they die, but in Hardcore mode, you lose EVERYTHING and your health goes back to the default amount max capacity. I will try that one day. Aside from the fighting, exploring, and finding treasure, gathering certain ores (mainly hellstone ores) can be a drag and take hours to get the amount needed for the equipment you want. And if you play Hardcore mode, it'll just make you want to cry. I hope the game continues to expand. Gameplay: 9/10
Replay Value
There are 3 different world sizes (small, medium, large) to create and the positions of areas and items each time a world is made. The developer is also trying to create enough content so that it allows players to create character builds to have varying play styles. Along with multiplayer, PvP, hardcore mode, and starting new characters, the game can last quite a while. For those who mainly play until they've found all the secrets in the world and items, it gets to a point where there's nothing more rare or stronger to get anymore. So the game isn't perfect for constant replaying, but it's great for those who can be creative in how they play. Replay Value: 9/10
Overall
I can't express enough of how great of a game this is. It's a mix of casual with a bit of hardcore with a lot of unexpected surprises. It's relaxing to gather materials and build structures but it's also exciting fighting bosses and spelunking deep into caves to find treasure. There are things the developers can do to improve the game such as adding more content, making multiplayer more accessible to the players, and continue to expand the game, but it's enough now to fully enjoy the game in its present state. For $10, you can spend dozens of hours that you'll continue to have fun with compared to many $60 games that you might spend 7 hours to complete and toss aside (though not all retail games are like that). What'll be even better is if you can get a few friends to play as the game truly shines during multiplayer. I haven't been so captivated by a game since I played Demon's Souls (spent 80 hours on that thus far). Terraria is truly a compelling game that no one should miss out on. Overall: 9/10
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