Minecraft Dungeons 2 Review: Is It Worth It for Families in 2026?
Minecraft, with 425 million copies sold, is the best-selling game of all time, and it was expected to grow into a franchise. Special conventions have been established, a multitude of products and books have been made, and series, as well as that film everyone pretends they haven’t watched, have been recorded. The world of Minecraft has expanded so much that spin-off games from different genres, all sharing the same blocky world, have emerged.
We had an episodic narrative adventure (Story Mode), the strategy game Legends, and the action RPG Minecraft Dungeons. Those games had different fates. Story Mode and Legends received mixed reviews and eventually lost support. At the same time, Minecraft Dungeons attracted a good number of players, even though it was a shallow ARPG that didn’t offer much we hadn’t already seen. Now a sequel arrives that tries to expand the first installment's formula, but doesn’t change quite everything. Some novelties add freedom and variety, while the original's weaknesses return.
In the mood for something completely different, check out our EA Sports FC 27 review!
Minecraft Dungeons 2 Story: Dry, Predictable, but Still Interesting
The first recurring problem in Dungeons 2 is the story. It is quite dry and transparent, the kind you forget as soon as the end credits finish. It all comes down to the Illagers discovering a new dimension, Sift, and exploiting its resources and inhabitants for their evil plan. Still, it was interesting to see what that dimension brings, especially since it is the first new dimension to arrive in the Minecraft world (not to be confused with the upcoming park) in more than 14 years.
Sift stands out from the other dimensions we know from Minecraft because its pastel landscapes and new creatures provide a special experience, unlike the dark Nether and The End. It’s a shame you pass through it so quickly, and it often comes down to clearing enemies along the way, so the dimension offers more than the game takes from it. For passionate fans, this could still be a decisive reason to choose this game, but keep in mind that Sift only uses its potential partially.
The main campaign length hasn’t changed much compared to the first installment, so Minecraft Dungeons 2 still lasts about eight hours. This time, however, it adds side missions and an open-world map worth exploring, so you have enough time for everything if you don’t rush. In the first installment, you moved through missions via a menu, but now you have an open Overworld with caves, dungeons, and portals you can explore at will. The world is full of hidden places, chests, and other small rewards that encourage exploration and detours from the main path. However, you don’t get the whole world from the start; the map opens as you complete main missions, so parts of the area stay locked until you reach a certain point.
Enemies and Boss Battles
The map has no shortage of enemies, as it should in a game like this. From creepers and zombies to chicken jockeys (yes, I wrote that), the enemy roster captures the best of the Minecraft universe. I can’t honestly say the same for the boss battles, which disappointed me somewhat because they mostly rely on recycled approaches and already-seen ways of fighting.
Discovering the map and blasting classic Minecraft villains is certainly more fun in company than solo. Co-op supports up to four players, offline or online, so it’s perfect for parents and children or casual hangouts with friends. There is just one awkward thing. If you started a character offline, you can't include it in an online session, and vice versa, which wasn’t the case before. That makes sense, given the new open map that progressively unlocks. Still, it means character progress doesn’t carry over from one play mode to the other, so you have to play through everything from the beginning if an opportunity later arises to play the game cooperatively.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 Equipment, Loot, and Character Progression
Dungeons 2 best shows how much it has progressed where it matters most for an ARPG: equipment. This is precisely where it behaves like a true sequel. We now have four main equipment slots instead of one, adding a new layer of character customization. Personally, I think the equipment looks excellent, with visuals that are really cool and genuinely differ from piece to piece. Each piece of equipment can be upgraded with found enchantment books that add special effects.
Dungeons' simplicity comes from the fact that equipment doesn’t have special stats for each part; instead, everything is reduced to a single number that represents the strength of the item you’re wearing. You can upgrade its value to adapt a previously found item to the current difficulty of the environment. The equipment purchasing system has also changed. Instead of a completely random reward, the merchant now offers several randomly selected pieces from different quality tiers that reset after some time.
However, because you'll earn so much equipment from exploring the world, opening chests, and defeating enemies, you will probably visit the merchant far less often than you’d expect. Simply put, the loot you pick up along the way is often quite enough.
Random Loot and Rewards: When Effort Doesn’t Match the Prize
Since we’re already on the subject of loot, its system is literally random. For example, from one easier boss I got a weapon of the highest quality, while another, significantly more demanding opponent left me with a lower-quality item. There are also plenty of weapons and equipment parts. Still, at times I couldn’t shake the impression that, because of the general randomness, the relationship between invested effort and reward was undermined. At one point, I even received, as a reward for the main mission, the same weapon I had already received in a previous mission, so the same issue is noticeable there too.
A novelty that changes the game's rhythm, and sounds somewhat banal, is jumping. Yes – they added a jump. Some challenges have adapted to it, so sometimes you have to perform acrobatics to reach a reward. That’s a good change because it breaks up the monotony of combat and adds another dimension to movement. Some of those challenges require a bit of precision, which is a refreshing change in a game that is otherwise quite relaxed.
Graphics, Music, Controls, and Accessibility
Technically, the game is pleasing to the eyes and the ears. The style is undeniably Minecraft’s, and the blocky aesthetic combined with Sift’s pastel colors looks great. The music plays a special role in the story, which I won’t reveal too much about, but it’s clear it was made to match the atmosphere perfectly, especially when listening with our C6-100 LED headset.
Personally, I had a little trouble with the controls because movement is based on clicking on the screen, but I think that was more on me. Otherwise, the controls are clear and easy to master quickly. The menus are tidy and without unnecessary complications, which is a big plus for a game that also targets a younger audience.
In Conclusion
Minecraft Dungeons 2 repeats the first installment's mistakes, but it brings more freedom, better equipment, and a new dimension that gives the game an identity. The story is weak, and the game is short, but the side missions and large world still give you enough to play, especially with friends. It isn’t a revolution or a deep ARPG that will replace better-known titles, but it is an accessible game for a family evening or a session with friends.
You'll find depth elsewhere, but if you want an extra adventure in a blocky world, this is the right choice. Admittedly, if Game Pass isn’t an option for you, I'd wait for the first discount or an opportunity to grab the edition with both planned expansions at the regular price of €30.
Rating:6.8/10
I’d rate Minecraft Dungeons 2 a 6.8/10 because it improves loot, freedom, and co-op fun, but its weak story, short campaign, recycled bosses, and random loot keep it from being a truly deep ARPG.
Age Recommendation for Kids:8+
I’d recommend Minecraft Dungeons 2 for kids around 8+, with younger players around 6–7 able to enjoy it mainly in parent-led co-op. The blocky visuals, mild fantasy combat, clear menus, and family-friendly co-op make it accessible, but online play, loot systems, reading, and progression carry-over need parental guidance.
Gemini AI Summary
Minecraft Dungeons 2 is a family-friendly co-op ARPG that expands the first game with an open Overworld, four gear slots, jumping challenges, and the new pastel Sift dimension. It remains short, story-light, and sometimes frustratingly random with loot and bosses. Best for parents, kids, and casual friend groups, but not a deep ARPG for hardcore players. Wait for a sale or Game Pass unless you specifically want the expansion edition.