Minecraft Dungeons 2 repeats the formula, flaws included, according to Eurogamer

It's been six years since Mojang took its blocky universe into action RPG territory with Minecraft Dungeons, and now the sequel is here. The first verdict to reach us, a mini review published by Eurogamer Spain, doesn't leave much room for excitement: according to the outlet, Minecraft Dungeons 2 is just as simple and shallow as the game that came before it. In other words, the follow-up doesn't fix the big problem the first entry was carrying.

Why does it matter? Because this is one of the most recognizable brands in gaming, with a very young player base that often takes its first steps into genres like the ARPG through games exactly like this one. If the sequel only scratches the surface, it misses a chance to hook an entire generation on a genre that, at its best, offers far more substance.

What you need to know

• Eurogamer Spain sums up its verdict on Minecraft Dungeons 2 as a simple game lacking depth, in line with the original.
• The first Minecraft Dungeons launched six years ago as a streamlined alternative to genre staples like Diablo and Path of Exile.
• In its original review, the outlet had already noted that a sense of repetition set in after barely an hour of play.
• That first game's campaign was short: you could finish it in a couple of evenings.
• Unlike the base game, the original's DLC wasn't included in Xbox Game Pass.

Where the criticism comes from

To understand the verdict on the sequel, you have to look back. The first Dungeons set out to take the structure of the genre's heavyweights, the loop of dungeons, loot and upgrades, and strip away almost every layer of complexity. Instead of sprawling skill trees or character-building systems that demand spreadsheets, it offered something direct, colorful and designed to be played without fuss, especially in co-op.

That decision made sense on paper, but Eurogamer Spain spotted the downside back then: the simplification was so aggressive that repetition crept in almost immediately. On top of that, the short campaign felt like an appetizer for the downloadable content, which also had to be bought separately even if you had the base game through Game Pass. That combination of short length, little variety and paid extra content left many players feeling like they'd played a long demo.

What it means for the sequel

The fact that the mini review's headline stresses that the second game is just as simple suggests that, at least according to this review, Mojang hasn't rethought the core design. The source's summary doesn't detail specific changes to systems, length or the content model of this new entry, so it's worth waiting for more reviews and trying it yourself before drawing any final conclusions. But the starting point isn't the one many were hoping for.

Our take

At the Underworld Lordz editorial team, our stance is clear: being accessible shouldn't mean being flat. Plenty of games prove you can be easy to pick up and still have a high skill ceiling. Six years is more than enough time to learn from the criticism of the original, and if the sequel repeats the same formula without adding depth, it's hard not to see it as a missed opportunity. A brand with Minecraft's reach could have been the perfect gateway to a meatier ARPG.

For competitive players, a game that feels repetitive within an hour doesn't have much longevity: there are no builds to optimize, no challenges to master and no meta to study. For content creators, on the other hand, the picture is more nuanced. The brand's pull is huge and laid-back co-op can make for fun streams with the community, but without depth it's hard to sustain a long series or produce guides that stay useful beyond the first few weeks.

We also want to be fair: a simple game can serve its purpose perfectly well for a specific audience, like families or players looking for short sessions together. The problem comes if it's marketed as something more ambitious, or if it once again leans on paid content to stretch a thin foundation. That's where we'll hold it to a high standard.

What do you think?

Maybe simplicity is exactly what you're after for a few rounds with friends, or maybe you were hoping for a sequel with a lot more depth. Either way, we want to hear from you. Would you give Minecraft Dungeons 2 a shot, or would you rather stick with the genre's heavy hitters? Drop by the team chat or our Discord and let us know.