It’s a happy ending in an industry that doesn’t always have them. With all the development problems, my expectations were low. Collins-Laflamme even warned that the game wasn’t fully ready yet. But he might have been too modest. This early version is far from complete, but it is already fun to play. In the few hours I spent with it, I had a blast, even with my slightly odd-looking character.
Right now, it’s hard to describe Hytale as anything other than a fantasy version of Minecraft. There are some clear differences, like a magic system and a flexible combat style with different weapons. However, the core experience feels very familiar. It is a game about exploring, surviving, building, gathering resources, and crafting in a huge world made of blocks. If you have ever played Minecraft, you will feel right at home here. One small thing that delighted me was how chopping down a tree with an axe makes the whole thing fall over.
But honestly, that familiarity is perfectly fine. It is a proven formula that millions of people love, and Hytale executes it very well. While the big unique features might still be on the way, what is here now is engaging and polished. The game is built around some very strong tools. If a sandbox game is judged by the possibilities it offers, Hytale is already on the right track.
There is cooking, smelting, and smithing. You can craft weapons, build furniture, farm, and raise animals. Progressing through these skills pushes you to explore further. The worlds the game generates show a lot of promise. So far, I have seen dusty deserts and green meadows. I explored autumn forests and long coastlines. I went deep underground where lava flows and strange plants grow, and I used portals to visit even stranger places. Scattered around the world are ancient ruins, old mansions, crumbling farmhouses, and mysterious temples. These give the world extra texture and a cohesive, whimsical fantasy feel.
As day turns to night and back again, with fog rolling in and storms appearing, the world feels alive. The environmental sounds are relaxing, and the music is good too. There is a decent variety of creatures and enemies. I fought skeleton warriors and giant spiders, and I was chased by bears and goblin-like guards. I saw frogs, deer, foxes, sheep, chickens, and snakes, many of them moving around with their young. If I have one complaint, it is that the terrain can look a bit similar in places, lacking the dramatic landscapes of other games. However, changes are planned for the future.
There is plenty more planned, of course, including a structured adventure mode with a story and quests. Without those major differences, it might take some time for Hytale to fully step out of its predecessor’s shadow. Even so, this early access release feels like a strong start. It is a flexible and enjoyable foundation with plenty of polish. Beyond what Hypixel is building, the studio is offering strong support for modding and other creative projects. They want to build a community similar to the one that has served other games so well. So, just one day in, Hytale shows a lot of promise. With funding secured for the next two years, this once-cancelled game could have a very bright future ahead.
