Minecraft Dungeons II Review (Playstation 5)

Minecraft Dungeons II review (PS5): Minecraft Dungeons II is a bit like playing Monopoly Junior or any slightly simplified children's board game. It's fun and scratches an itch, but it doesn't quite make the itch disappear.

Disclosure: Microsoft provided a physical copy of Minecraft Dungeons II for review. All opinions are my own.

What is Minecraft Dungeons II?

This game is the result of stripping away Diablo 4's complex systems and adult themes for a simplified kids' version with a Minecraft skin. No child ever wakes up thinking "I want to play an isometric ARPG for the first time". However, this is a gateway game that drastically improves on its predecessor and is a great starting point for kids, especially if they like Minecraft.

I played it over the weekend on the base PS5, with my 7-year-old taking the helm of the controls for most of it.

Minecraft Dungeons II story

The story is simple: four Illagers have opened a portal to the Sift, a colourful new realm with poisonous water and plenty of cutesy Minecraft creatures roaming around. It's told mostly through cutscenes and by talking to farmers in the main realm, and it's a straightforward tale that kids can easily follow.

Open world and exploration

The main world is open for free roaming and gradually opens up as you explore, complete the main questline and take on optional side missions. It's well worth exploring too, with plenty of chests, mobs and gear to find.

There's a handy fast travel system and even a button to take you straight back to the main base in Brave Haven. Here you'll find merchants whose stock refreshes regularly, and you can upgrade their wares too.

Loot, gear and currencies

The game has a few different currencies: Emeralds, Echo Shards and Enchantment Points. All of them are used to buy new gear and upgrade the stores. Don't worry, though, as mobs drop plenty of loot too.

Talking of loot, I recommend doing the first few side missions, as they offer some decent starting gear. It's controlled by RNG, though, so we won't all get the same upgrades.

With a steady flow of constantly changing gear, it's easy to get bogged down swapping your swords and trousers willy-nilly, but rest assured you don't need to. Enchanted gear with good passive buffs really does help, but the game isn't so difficult that you must equip it there and then.

Minecraft Dungeons II PS5 performance

Performance on the base PS5 is generally smooth, with quick loading times. There are some stutters and frame rate issues during cutscenes, but these small issues don't seem to be present in the open world.

Does Minecraft Dungeons II have co-op?

Yes, the game has both local and online co-op for up to 4 players. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to test either: I only have one PS5 controller, and I didn't want to try online because my winglady is too young to experience the perils of online gaming.

How long to beat Minecraft Dungeons II?

Minecraft Dungeons II is short, coming in at around 8 hours. Under my Run to Game Challenge, that meant running 48km to play it through.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A huge improvement on the original Minecraft Dungeons
• Pro: A great first action RPG for kids, and easy to follow
• Pro: An open world that's worth exploring, packed with chests, mobs and loot
• Pro: Handy fast travel and a one-button return to Brave Haven
• Con: Too simple to fully satisfy experienced ARPG players
• Con: Short, at around 8 hours
• Con: Stutters and frame rate dips during cutscenes on base PS5

Verdict: is Minecraft Dungeons II worth it?

For kids, and especially Minecraft fans, Minecraft Dungeons II is a great introduction to action RPGs and a big improvement on its predecessor. It's fun and scratches the itch, even if it doesn't quite make it disappear for grown-up ARPG fans. As a game to play together with your children, it's easy to recommend. Score: 7.4/10.