…how to survive your first day, keep your inventory tidy, and build a base you’ll actually want to live in. Mineblocks is a compact building and exploration game where planning beats grinding. You gather wood and stone, smelt ores, craft tools, and build cozy structures. The day-night loop gives your sessions a nice rhythm: explore when it’s bright, then build and organize when it’s dark. What you do in the game Your core loop: Gather resources (wood, stone, ore). Craft and upgrade tools with a simple recipe book. Build shelters, farms, and lighting. Explore biomes for special materials. (Optional) Toggle critters for peaceful building or light, cartoonish tussles. Controls Desktop WASD / arrows to move, space to jump Mouse to aim and place/break blocks Number keys to swap hotbar items Inventory/crafting menu button Mobile (if available) Virtual stick to move, tap to jump Tap to place/break blocks Hotbar taps to switch items Inventory button for crafting How you progress Progress is your projects: a better pickaxe means faster mining smelting ores unlocks stronger gear and lights circuits unlock doors, switches, and timed builds the map fills as you explore, helping you plan big builds Items and systems that matter Torches/lanterns: your best safety and navigation tool. Ladders: your “get out of trouble” item. Chests: stop your base from becoming a mess. Water/sand rules: predictable—great for farms, glass, and pools. Simple circuits: start small (pressure plate light), then grow. Tips to play better (10–12 Mineblocks tips) Build a shelter before your first night. Even a small hut with a door helps. Torch spacing rule: place torches at consistent intervals so tunnels are readable. Carry spare ladders whenever you mine down. They’re your exit plan. Mine in a staircase, not a straight drop, until you’re confident. Make “drop chests” near dig sites so your main base stays tidy. Label areas by shape: storage wall, furnace corner, crafting table spot. Smelt as soon as you can. Bars unlock stronger tools and better lights. Mark ore veins on your map or leave a bright block marker. Use water to make safe descents (if physics allow): water catches falls. Start circuits with one goal: a door that opens from both sides. Tip: Light your path like breadcrumbs. If you keep getting lost underground, pick one wall (left wall) and always keep it on your side when returning. Biomes and exploration Different areas reward different goals: forests for easy wood deserts for crystals near dry riverbeds (in some versions) caves for pigments and rare materials Common problems & quick fixes Night surprised me: always check the sky and return early with enough wood for doors and torches. Inventory chaos: build a chest wall and sort by type (stone, wood, ore, food). I fell into a hole: carry ladders and mine staircases. Lag on big builds: lower effects, close tabs, save and reload. Sound missing: check mute and game settings. Full screen issues: exit and re-enter full screen. Parent tip Mineblocks encourages creativity, planning, and persistence. Suggest breaks after big mining trips, and remind kids not to play too late—night cycles can make “one more day” feel tempting. Quick info Platform: Browser (HTML5) Genre: Sandbox building / crafting / exploration Age fit: 7–13 Session length: 10–60 minutes Controls: Move + place/break blocks + crafting menu FAQ Q1: What should I craft first? A: A basic shelter kit: door, torches, and a chest. Q2: How do I avoid getting lost in mines? A: Use consistent torch spacing and pick a “return wall” to follow back. Q3: Are critters scary? A: They’re optional and cartoonish. Many versions let you toggle them off. Q4: What’s an easy first circuit build? A: A pressure plate porch light or a door switch from both sides. Q5: Why use drop chests? A: They keep mining trips efficient and stop your base from overflowing.