Minecraft received its latest update, titled Cliffs & Caves Part 2, and with it come huge changes to the game. Back in July Minecraft update 1.17.10 added some new features to Caves & Cliffs Part 1 and introduced some experimental features from Caves & Cliffs Part 2. Now, those features are in full release, along with quite a bit of other new content, giving players much to explore.
Caves & Cliffs Part 1 added all kinds of new content to the game, from new creatures like the axolotl and the glow squid to new inventions like the lightning rod and the spyglass. The update is divided into two parts because of the different types of content in each. While Part 1 was focused on new mobs, blocks, and crafting options, Part 2 is more focused on the world itself, with new biomes as well as taller world height. Of course, new biomes do come with their own unique creatures and blocks, so this should spark even more creativity from the already pretty inventive Minecraft players.
An official Minecraft FAQ explains how the new update will merge with existing content, as well as containing links to the full changelog, which is massive. First up are seven new biomes: Dripstone Caves, Frozen Peaks, Grove, Jagged Peaks, Lush Caves, Meadows, and Snowy Slopes. Each occurs under unique circumstances and contains its own variety of plant and animal life. Players have been able to explore Dripstone and Lush caves since the July update previously mentioned, and some have taken advantage of this by offering scenic train ride tours of their Minecraft worlds for those waiting for full release. The new content is made to blend seamlessly into the old, the changelog calling it less “cliffy,” so that should help make it more accessible.
That’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the changes, though. Cliffs & Caves Part 2 also adds what it calls noise caves and aquifers. Noise caves are a new method of cave generation that includes three types: a sort of Swiss Cheese layout, long, wide bending tunnels, and thinner bending tunnels. Aquifers generate bodies of water inside these noise caves, and so can result in underground lakes (there can also be lava aquifers). The update also includes changes to ore generation, making different ores more likely to find at different layers rather than the previous “one ideal level for all ore” strategy players could employ.
There’s more than enough to tide players over until the next update, titled The Wild Update, introduces even more biomes and creatures to Minecraft. From the simple joy of exploring a snowy mountain to the horror of the upcoming Deep Dark, Minecraft runs the gamut of block-themed outdoor experiences. Caves & Cliffs Part 2 immerses players in new twists on some existing locations and does it seamlessly. It’s out now, waiting to be explored.
Minecraft is available to play now across Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Android, and iOS devices.
Source: Minecraft, Minecraft/YouTube