"Minecraft Dungeons 2" reviewed: Don't bother if you're playing solo
28.9.2026
Translation: machine translated
The action RPG spin-off of the block-building evergreen is entering its second round. "Minecraft Dungeons 2" is especially fun in co-op with family and friends. Played solo, the adventure quickly runs out of steam.
In «Minecraft Dungeons 2» you don't build anything – you don't even dig caves in search of diamonds. The game is more «Diablo» than a classic block-building game. With ever-improving equipment, you beat up everything that gets in your way. Instead of a gloomy hell dimension, however, you explore a colorful world that invites you to linger – at least for an hour or so. Because despite the enchanting backdrop, «Minecraft Dungeons 2» lacks variety.
Open game world and new dimension
At the beginning, I choose my hero from a handful of skins. There are no classes, and the appearance is also secondary: from the bird's-eye view, I can barely tell which hair color I chose. Within a very short time, I'm covered in new armor anyway.
The story is hardly worth mentioning: some big bosses want to conquer the Overworld. I can't even tell you what it's really about. The story is told in unspectacular cutscenes and accompanied by a monotonous narrator – even the AI voice that reads texts to me on news portals has more emotion. I have to actively stop myself from skipping everything immediately. In the rest of the game, almost only text is used. By then at the latest, I press «Skip» as enthusiastically as I press the X button to bash monsters over the head with my weapons.
Unlike the first «Minecraft Dungeons», part two relies on an open game world. Instead of moving through closed sections, I move freely through the world. However, the impression is somewhat deceptive: on one hand, the topography restricts my range of movement, and on the other, even after completing the main quest, most of the map remains hidden under fog. I suspect that this will only be revealed through upcoming expansions.
Additionally, there is a kind of underworld with Sift – similar to «Elden Ring». However, the big 'aha' moment when discovering it is missing here. The area could just as well be another part of the main map. By the way, the dimension celebrates its premiere in «Dungeons 2», even before Mojang implements it in the main game.
Lots to do, but little variety
There is plenty to do without DLC. In addition to the main quest, which leads me through the various areas, I can deviate at any time. The world ranges from grass-covered honeycomb fields to the snowy ice highlands to cozy howling forests – even if the name suggests otherwise.
The world is full of dungeons, hidden treasures, and side quests. At the push of a button, I can display a yellow line to the quest location. That's practical, but unfortunately, the pathfinding reminds me of the first generation of Apple Maps: sometimes the line points through the ground, sometimes it sends me down a cliff. Fortunately, this has no fatal consequences, and I am immediately teleported back to the starting point.
In terms of gameplay, all tasks boil down to the same thing: run there, flatten everything, collect loot. Here and there I have to find keys to open a door or free small creatures that then also act as keys. Short escort quests also occur. And that's about it.
No classes and little gameplay depth
«Minecraft Dungeons 2» is not a complex game – that was already true for the first part. It is primarily intended to appeal to families and a younger audience. The developers already explained this to me at the hands-on session at Gamescom. Although enemies overrun me even on the easiest level if I'm not careful, the game is very forgiving. Teammates can be revived at any time, and enemies hardly bother me while doing so. If my entire group dies anyway, I end up back at Valor Harbor. From here, I can teleport directly back to the front line.
The combat system is simple: there is a melee and a ranged attack. Thanks to the new jump function, I can also perform jump attacks. They do decent area damage, which is why it probably won't be long before I unlock the 1000 achievement for it.
Besides that, there are three slots for artifacts. This is the closest I can get to creating something like a class. To activate the artifacts, I need souls. It is the counterpart to mana. I collect them by defeating enemies. Options include a flute that wraps me in armor and increases my fire damage, or a totem that creates a protective dome around me. Or speed truffles that increase my speed.
A lot has also changed in the inventory: instead of entire armor sets, I can equip helmets, pants, shoes, and chest plates separately. In addition, there are three talismans with passive benefits such as more health, more melee damage, or a companion that I can summon.
Additionally, I can enchant equipment and weapons that are unusual or better at the enchanter. Together with the regular blacksmith and the merchant, I find the trio in every location. To improve my equipment, I need two currencies that I collect on my adventures. At the same time, I can use them to level up the blacksmith and the merchant to get even better goods or upgrades.
The various pieces of equipment, enchantments, and talismans theoretically replace the classes. For example, I could put everything into frost and create a kind of frost mage. Either I never found the right equipment, or the system falls short. In the end, «Minecraft Dungeons 2» always plays the same: hit, shoot arrows, and spam abilities until nothing is left standing.
More players, more fun
At higher difficulty levels or with bosses, a bit more coordination is required. Then I occasionally have to dodge area attacks or deal with mages first who lock me in with exploding pillars. Still, it doesn't create much depth. This has the advantage that my children can easily cope with the game.
The game shines most in couch co-op. Teammates can join the game at any time. Different levels are not a problem. There is also no arguing over loot: everyone can only collect the items in their own color.
The biggest problem in co-op is the overview – it completely disappears. "Where am I?" my six-year-old and eight-year-old shout practically every minute. It doesn't take long before I do the same. On top of that, my character has two companions – a dog and a huge golem (which unfortunately also likes to get in the way). This makes the chaos even greater. By then at the latest, I throw any thoughts of tactics out the window, spam my abilities after every cooldown, and throw in healing potions when needed.
While my daughter prefers to dedicate herself to «Pokémon Pokopia» after half an hour, I dive deeper into the colorful block world with my son. The game is definitely more fun with two people. But even in co-op, I run out of steam after an hour at a time because the combat system simply offers too little variety. Nothing changes in that regard in the roughly ten hours until the preliminary credits. After that, there are still numerous challenges and dungeons to master, but talismans and enchantments are simply no substitute for a real class system.
A cozy little place
What I really like, despite the lack of gameplay depth, is the cheerful atmosphere. This is not just due to the colorful block design and the cute little animals hopping around. The soundtrack is at least as playful. In dim dungeons, squeaky violins and tinkling piano keys remind me of a haunted house. In the dreamlike rift dimension – these are short dungeons with particularly good loot – psychedelic guitar sounds ring out.
The sound effects are also great: when I equip something, a flute plays, a banner rattles, or the picnic basket makes a smacking sound. Once I found a crossbow that sounded like a harp when fired. And the sound when I fall down somewhere and get reset sounds like a level-up – I almost feel like I've achieved something.
Visually, the game doesn't blow me away. I like the style, and the switch to Unreal Engine 5 provides prettier lighting. However, it could be much more dynamic. The world is colorful but doesn't play enough with strong contrasts. This makes everything look a bit flat. In general, I miss iconic buildings or spectacular landscapes. Apart from the short rift sections, which are reminiscent of a drug trip, hardly anything remains in memory.
Occasionally the camera zooms out when I walk through an area that has larger differences in altitude. But that remains the exception. Furthermore, the game looks slightly washed out even in 4K and maximum details.
Minor flaws
By and large, «Minecraft Dungeons 2» runs stably. There is nothing to complain about regarding performance, and the game only crashed once for me. In return, I encountered minor bugs every now and then – like with a boss I reached via a jump platform and who teleported me back every time. Eventually, I managed to lure the boss over. After his first attack, he teleported into the air and died immediately. Funny, but the loot was unfortunately gone too – it disappeared into nirvana. This also happens occasionally with chests that I open on narrow hills.
The companions I can summon aren't the brightest either. Often they stand around idly or shuffle behind me like my children on a Sunday walk. When the action starts, I've usually finished half of it alone by the time they join in.
«Minecraft Dungeons 2» is available for PC, PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2. I tested the PC version, which Microsoft provided to me.
In a nutshell
Other players strongly recommended
"Minecraft Dungeons 2" is an entertaining action RPG set in a magical blocky world. It improves on almost everything compared to its predecessor. The world now consists of two large areas that I can explore freely, and there are significantly more upgrade options. However, apart from enemies and the occasional hidden chest, there is hardly anything to find. The main drive remains the search for better equipment. Despite a more complex upgrade system, the game lacks depth and variety. Battles almost always play out the same way. Only boss encounters provide variation. My appetite is therefore usually satisfied after an hour. "Minecraft Dungeons 2" becomes significantly more fun, but also more chaotic, with others. Playing with my son is much more enjoyable, even if the overview is completely lost. The action fireworks with two heroes are all the more spectacular for it. As long as you are aware that you are not getting "Diablo 4" in a "Minecraft" costume, but at most an ultralight version of it, you will have a lot of fun with "Minecraft Dungeons 2". For 30 francs/euros, you get a lot of game for your money, especially if you can multiply the fun with friends and family.
Pro
- colorful and inviting world
- accessible even for inexperienced players
- atmospheric soundtrack and playful sound effects
- more creative freedom through equipment
- Co-op mode could hardly be better...
Contra
- ...except for the overview, which is completely lost
- Artifacts and talismans are no substitute for a class system
- not very varied in terms of gameplay
- especially when playing alone
- minor bugs
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chAs a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.
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