Minecraft Dungeons 2 is a sequel to Mojang's co-op dungeon crawler, offering more in-depth customisation and the first chance to explore the Sift dimension, but it remains a shallow experience. The game scored 6/10 in our review of the PlayStation 5 physical edition, provided by U&I Entertainment.
A sequel built on a massive legacy
At the Minecraft Live event, Microsoft celebrated that Minecraft has sold over 425 million copies, making it the best-selling video game of all time. While some dismiss it as not a 'proper' game, its audience and varied uses take it beyond most other video games. The original Minecraft Dungeons, from 2020, has apparently had 25 million 'players', including Game Pass, though exact sales figures remain undisclosed.
The sequel is a simple game to explain. Technically a dungeon crawler in the style of Diablo, it would be generous to call it an action role-player. It shares more with the 80s coin-op Gauntlet, with simplistic gameplay made more palatable by co-op play.
Combat and customisation
The combat is surprisingly decent, with no explicit violence, and the various weapons are entertaining to use. However, apart from the ability to jump, the core combat has changed little from the original. Most new additions focus on crafting and loadouts, including armour made up of multiple pieces, talismans, and artefacts that add buffs and perks. Upgrading gear with elemental abilities is more involved, but players are at the mercy of loot drops, as there's no proper class system.
The story remains short and barely more engaging, but there are side quests and time-limited events called a Soul Storm. As a family friendly version of Diablo, it's just about adequate, but the co-op camaraderie is better served by Lego games, which seem like Civilization in comparison.
The Sift dimension and final verdict
The lack of substantial change is disappointing, but the sequel exists partly to promote the new Sift dimension, added to the main game next year. This new environment introduces new enemies, materials, and friendly creatures, with a pastel colour scheme that works in its favour. However, there's no big new idea, and crafting and loadout management, while more involved, don't change the game fundamentally.
Why this took six years to make is a mystery, given the lack of significant change. The chances of Minecraft Dungeons turning into an interesting spin-off now seem remote. The game is available on PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, priced at £24.99, published by Mojang and developed by Mojang Studios and Double Eleven. Release date is 29th September 2026, with an age rating of 7.
