# Minecraft: request for explanation
So I downloaded Minecraft demo to see what is it what is it what all the kids around rave about. Call me a "late adopter".
Alright, I get it. Or so I think. You can destroy stuff and thereby "mine" materials, sometimes you can find something and get it. I learned how to dig myself out of a deep hole, how to drown, get killed by a zombie, how to build some simply blocky structures. So far, so good.
What I am not getting is what is the whole point. Where's the fun part?
I know, this is a silly remark. I grew up in a world of Princes of Persia, Doom, various flight and car simulators, etc. Those games have a clear hook, a clear objective, etc. You start it, you get it, you go on. I now see kids playing Roblox and what I think is this: if anybody would tell me 20-30 years ago that this would be a thing, I would laugh my head off (same way as if anybody would tell me in 2005 that phones won't get smaller, but rather larger - whatever, I tend to be wrong mostly 😐 ). Still in Roblox you can interact with characters and some of the games have a competitive spin, so I still grok those. But Minecraft? I feel like a stupid old fart who's just staring at the screen not having a clue how this could have become the "best-selling game of all times" (c.f. Wikipedia)
**Can somebody enlighten me on how to play Minecraft so as to "get the point quickly"?**
I mean, I want to play it a bit with fun and perhaps have fun with my kids with it too, I just want to "get it" sooner then they will :-).
This is be probably one of my more embarrassing posts :-D.
@piggo @FailForward
It is the utter freedom of the game that makes it so great. You wanna fight? Sure, go hunt mobs, kill the dragon, visit the nether and haunt those ghasts. Wanna build? Great! Go mine the materials you need for it, and start creating your most fantastic contraption! Wanna explore? You're all set! Make some gear, some supplies, food and such, and just roam roam roam around.
For those who get bored with vanilla Minecraft (like I do, actually) there's countless modpacks that add extra dimensions to the game! It can make the game easier, harder, give you some direction (there are questing mods), and give you some more goals.
In essence Minecraft is one of the best sandbox games around.
And I agree, with friends it's even more fantastic.
For me the fun is exploring for a great place to start, and then build build build expand build build build.
@piggo @FailForward
I play the java version as well. It might load a bit slow, but ye gods, the amount of modpacks is staggering and there's a lot more freedom how you want to set up your game.
It does mean that it is not available for mobile and switch. I also doubt it's crossplatform compatible.
I've never tried the other versions than the java one. I know my nephew plays it on his switch, so probably the bedrock one there. Vanilla the java and other versions are largely similar.
The game was never good at explaining stuff, you basically HAVE to read the wiki: https://minecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Minecraft_Wiki
There's various play styles you can choose from - building a base, more travelling / exploration focused, cave exploration and not getting killed, mining, settling in a village and trading with villagers, hunting treasures from shipwrecks, hoarding loot, or simply trying to beat the game (find a stronghold, kill the dragon). But nothing will push you in any direction, it's always your game to play any way you prefer. You can also switch to creative mode and play it like a big lego set