Minecraft is a wonderfully versatile game but that can feel overwhelming when starting out. We’ve looked at the differences between Minecraft Creative and Survival as these are the two main ways in which most people play. Whether you’re joining one of the best Minecraft servers or you’re looking to use the best Minecraft server hosting to create your own community, it’s important to know what kind of Minecraft you want to play.
Below, I’ve explained about the two different types as well as provided a quick overview of other ways of playing Minecraft. It’s a good introduction for newcomers but can also remind long-term players of a few differences they may have forgotten.
Minecraft Creative
Minecraft Creative is the most relaxed form of Minecraft. That’s because nothing can hurt you and you can’t die. It’s great for simply building structures and figuring out the basics of the game without any stress.
You’ll still see enemies but they can’t attack you and you can’t fight them either. You’re provided with more types of block to build from and there are no interruptions. If you just want a giant virtual building block set, you can do so here. It’s perfect for unleashing your creative vision on the world with unlimited resources dodging any risk of frustration.
At its simplest, Minecraft Creative is best for younger players but also anyone who wants a stress-free experience or to spend some time figuring out the basics. I find it a fun mode to play when I want to experiment or I’m just trying to unwind from a busy day. The lack of peril can get dull but for those times you just need to relax, it’s perfect.
If you’ve been scouring the internet for some of the best Minecraft creations, these are almost certainly from Minecraft Creative. It’s the artist’s choice, if not the avid gamer’s option.
Minecraft Survival
Minecraft Survival is the mode that lends itself more to the conventional gaming experience. That’s because there’s a ton of peril at heart. As the name suggests, survival is everything. You can be harmed by enemies such as zombies but you also have to be aware of food. As in life, you need food to survive. Luckily, you can find it by smashing up blocks but there are more elegant solutions for helping you to craft better meals.
Besides simply trying to survive, building is a little different in Survival mode too. That’s because you need to find the resources to construct buildings. Starting out, it can be pretty basic and you’ll need to pace yourself appropriately. It’s a tough battle upwards but it can feel a lot more satisfying than Creative if you have the time to commit to it. Using one of the best Minecraft seeds or one of the best Minecraft mods can help you out a lot here.
Minecraft Survival can be tough but there’s a real sense of progression here. While there’s technically no storyline to follow, there is a form of endgame with the chance to defeat the Ender Dragon.
There’s a huge amount of depth to Minecraft Survival from learning how to breed villagers to simply constructing an awesome civilization that will keep you safe. If you’re looking for a more traditional gaming experience, Minecraft Survival is the best option for you. If you’ve set up your own server with one of the best game server hosts, you can always tweak some settings to make things a little simpler for you.
Other types of Minecraft
When I talk about different Minecraft modes, I’m mostly thinking of Creative and Survival, but there are other options available.
One other type which is popular is Hardcore. It plays out like Survival but with one crucial distinction – you only have one life. If you die in the game, you lose everything and have to start again. You can view the world as a spectator but you can no longer interact. It can be a pretty harsh mode to play so most players wait until they’re more experienced to give it a try. Hardcore modes on the whole are increasingly popular within gaming as they offer an unique and sometimes brutal challenge.
As mentioned, there’s also Spectator mode which lets you explore a world freely without ever interacting with it. It’s limited but fun if you just want to see what someone else’s creation looks like.
Finally, there’s Minecraft Adventure which is a little different from anything else. It’s a game mode focused on player-created maps. Basically, a friend can invite you to their Adventure experience and you’re restricted in terms of what you can do. It means that the map can’t be damaged in any way but you can still enjoy the experience together. It might not be a mode you play all the time but it’s fun to explore.
