Minecraft Exploded Builds: Medieval Fortress by Mojang AB
| Minecraft Exploded Builds: Medieval Fortress by Mojang AB | |
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| Category: Entertainment | |
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Reviewer: Louise Jones
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| Summary: A step by step illustrated guide to creating a beautiful Minecraft fortress and village. | |
| Buy? yes | Borrow? yes |
| Pages: 80 | Date: October 2016 |
| Publisher: Egmont | |
| ISBN: 9781405284172 | |
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If you have ever marvelled at the creative architecture designed by the talented members of the Minecraft community and been inspired to give it a go yourself, then Exploded Builds might be the perfect book for you. It is aimed at those of us who have the ambition but lack the necessary expertise to design such stunning buildings. Medieval Fortress will guide you every step of the way with detailed diagrams and customisation options, allowing you be king of you own castle in no time at all.
As a book reviewer, I appreciate it when publishers go the extra mile to produce high-quality products for the consumer. Medieval Fortress is of an exceptionally high standard. The thick hard cover makes the book solid and weighty, the pages are thick and the colours bright. Not only that, but the content of the book is excellent too. A lot of thought has been put into the wording and diagrams on each page to make the guide as easy to follow as possible.
The fortress itself has been split into smaller, bite-sized projects to that the reader isn't overwhelmed and can also customise their castle as they wish. The book starts simply, with a project for a castle turret that is easy to build, but visually impressive. We see the finished turret on the left page and the 'exploded' version on the right, which details the type of blocks needed and how many of each type are required. The exploded layout also allows us to see inside the turret, which in this case has a ladder and several wooden platforms inside. The pages that follow show the reader how to 'mix it up' with customisation options like adding a roof, creating a rounded base or replacing the stone blocks with wood to create a different style.
As the book goes on, the castle starts to build up layer by layer, adding outer walls, throne room, barracks, a keep and even a working portcullis to keep out enemies. The book also gives detailed guides on how to build a village, with houses, tavern and market square. If threat of invasion is your main concern, then the book contains plenty of sneaky traps to keep those enemies at bay: a lava trap, arrow gauntlet and catapult should do the job nicely.
This book really is a must for anyone wishing to create spectacular buildings in Minecraft. Once users have mastered the basics, the sky really is the limit and the sources of inspiration are endless. This would make the perfect gift for anyone who loves Minecraft or Lego and will provide hours of amusement. Many grateful thanks to the publishers for my review copy.
If you are just getting started with Minecraft and want to mater the basics first, we recommend Minecraft Beginners's Handbook: Updated Edition by Stephanie Milton to get you up and running.
Minecraft Exploded Builds: Medieval Fortress by Mojang AB is in the Top Ten Non-Fiction Books of 2016.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Minecraft Exploded Builds: Medieval Fortress by Mojang AB at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Minecraft Exploded Builds: Medieval Fortress by Mojang AB at Amazon.com.
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