The Dark Realm, Minecraft Adventure Map + Minecraft Puzzle Map
If you like a) darkness, b) adventure, c) puzzles and d) minecraft, you're in for a real treat! The Dark Realm is a minecraft puzzle map and a minecraft adventure map all rolled up into one dark archaeological adventure. You are a freshly graduated archaeologist looking to prove your worth by hurling yourself into a cursed temple. It's the only thing that makes sense.
The rules of The Dark Realm are simple. You can only break gray wool blocks, and you must play on peaceful until the map tells you to do otherwise. I found this a very pleasant change from the usual protocol, which is having to play on easy or harder.
It was a sunny day outside the Dark Realm when I began my adventure, pleased to note that a few scraps of leather armor and a little food had been left to nourish me on my journey. The first foray into the temple reveals that you are, of course, angering the gods. Pretty much all archaeologists anger the gods at one point or another.
From the very first trial, I found myself laughing at the wit that is clearly displayed in this map. This isn't a bland advanture, this is an exercise in hilarity. (Assuming you don't mind being occasionally caught out by fiendish design – which you shouldn't because that is pretty much the point of the map as a whole.
Before you're even allowed to begin the 'main' part of the temple you must complete a series of trials, trials of perception, patience, agility, and resourcefulness. Chances are you're not as perceptive, patient, agile or resourceful as you thought. At least I wasn't. If you persevere however, you are given the opportunity to go further and anger the aforementioned god. Hurrah!
This is the first adventure map I've come across that used the Nether as part of the gameplay, and the first to really truly engross me in the story. As you explore deeper into the temple you discover that this is more than just a dry archaelogical dig, this is a mystery of epic proportions – and you have to pay attention, because in this map, knowing the storyline is the difference between unravelling the mystery and finishing the map and sitting around in the nether kicking yourself.
Of course you're supposed to play through this map properly, but its so well done that even if you're a complete cheat and hack your way through the whole thing, it's still very engaging. I'd highly recommend this minecraft adventure / puzzle map to anyone looking for a really deep and challenging minecraft experience.
