One of Minecraft's biggest strengths is its sprawling kaleidoscope of biomes, presenting a biodiversity that's practically unrivaled in the realm of procedurally-generated sandboxes. However, there are some that fans prefer over others—and some that stand head and shoulders above Minecraft's other biomes.
Biomes can't be as easily ranked as elements like Minecraft's enchantments, which house many options that are objectively better than others. Rather, this tier list will rank biomes on what resources they offer, the challenges they pose, and the general fun of living and dwelling there. Aesthetics will also play a lot into that latter part, meaning that there will inevitably be a great deal of subjectivity. However, these landscapes can still broadly be categorized.
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S-Tier - Simple, Safe, and Reliable Biomes
• Plains
• Swamp
• Flower Forest
• Forest
Sometimes, simple is better—and that's definitely the case for Minecraft's best biomes. This relaxing selection is great for those just starting out, with the plains being especially great for this thanks to the villages that spawn within them. Forests and flower forests are both pretty and great sources of wood and food, while swamps make this spot thanks to the extra content found within them. Not only do witch huts add to their already excellent ambiance, but they provide a far more reliable source of slime compared to Minecraft's rarer slime chunks.
A-Tier - Top-Notch Biomes with Minor Inconveniences and Small Benefits
• Taiga
• Snowy Taiga
• Oceans
• Savanna
• Desert
• Snowy Plains
• Lush Caves
• Windswept
• Crimson Forest
• Peaks
• Snowy Peaks
• Deep Dark
• Warped Forest
• Frozen River
• End Islands
The offerings in A-Tier aren't far behind S in many cases, with every biome listed above bringing fun and valuables to the table. Snowy plains can be irritating with snow piles and strays, but their lack of zombie spawns make them great for those invested in Minecraft's villagers. Peaks and windswept biomes offer specialized ore generation and great views, while taiga biomes serve as a whimsical alternative to other forests. Frozen rivers can be used as high-speed boat circuits, the deep dark and end islands offer excellent loot and unique gameplay, and the Nether's forests offer some unique ecosystems.
B-Tier - Visually Satisfying Biomes That Lack Depth
• Mangrove Swamp
• Jungle
• Badlands
• The End
• Nether Wastes
• Cherry Grove
• Mushroom Fields
• River
• Dark Forest
• Ice Spikes
B-Tier biomes are either held back in a minor way, or just nice-looking areas with little substance beyond aesthetics. The latter is the case for the ice spikes, cherry grove, and badlands (though that last one is a solid find for gold hunters). Minecraft's mushroom fields aren't as valuable as they once were, with their infinite food source not being as useful in modern times, but finding one is still a huge reward in-and-of itself. Mangrove swamps have most of the benefits of regular swamps, but their trees can be a tad frustrating to harvest.
C-Tier - Minecraft Biomes That Are Visually Lacking or Challenging to Live In
• Beach
• Dripstone Caves
• Soul Sand Valley
These three biomes range from unexceptional to overly punishing, with beaches and dripstone caves being indicative of the former; luckily, both biomes are pleasing sights even if they lack strong mechanics. Soul sand valleys also have a great vibe, sporting wastelands of leviathan carcasses, but its mix of ghasts, skeletons, and soul sand make it one of the less desirable Nether biomes.
D-Tier - Minecraft's Only 'Bad' Biome
• Basalt Delta
The basalt delta is perhaps the only bad biome in the game, and even then it has upsides with great sound design and a steady supply of blackstone. Regardless, it is not only filled with magma cubes (which are almost as deadly as ghasts), but it is designed to their strengths with frequent pillars and pockets of lava and magma. Moreover, it's the only Nether biome that doesn't spawn the Nether's bastions.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 84%
WHERE TO PLAY
Minecraft is a game made up of blocks, creatures, and community. You can survive the night or build a work of art – the choice is all yours. But if the thought of exploring a vast new world all on your own feels overwhelming, then fear not!
Minecraft has no set goal and can be played however you’d like! This is why it’s sometimes called a “sandbox game” – there are lots of things for you to do, and lots of ways that you can play. If you like being creative, then you can use the blocks to build things from your imagination. If you’re feeling brave, you can explore the world and face daring challenges. Blocks can be broken, crafted, placed to reshape the landscape, or used to build fantastical creations.
Creatures can be battled or befriended, depending on how you play. The world of Minecraft allows for epic adventures, quiet meditations, and everything in between. You can even share your creations with other players, or play in community worlds!
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Platform(s)
- 3DS, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U, PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 129 Hours
- File Size Xbox Series
- 1.42 GB (August 2024)
- Metascore
- 93
