We play Minecraft on and off since Beta and it is always the same: When you start a new world you struggle to get you little base going but as soon as this has been accomplished after a few days and you build your first few vanity structures the game looses it's appeal.
So does anyone know a game that is like minecraft (multiplayer) only with a little bit more long time engagement?
While I have not personally played it, Terraria is a very close cousin of Minecraft, but done in a side-scrolling manner and with a style reminiscent of SNES RPGs.
There is also Ace of Spades, which is a Minecraft clone with a focus on war (you pick one of two sides, one which can build and the other which can dig, and then go out and kill each other). It's gone fairly popular, enough to warrant it's release on Steam.
As for Minecraft proper, have you tried playing in persistent servers with several players? They make the game far more engaging, particularly when some mods such as MCMMO have been included.
Butter!
Butter?
Thanks Klaus, I will test Ace of Spades.
Have you looked into mods/modpacks? For me, that's the greatness of minecraft: the vast options when it comes to mods and what you can do with them. A few modpacks of note:
Feed the Beast: A modpack and also a modpack sharing system with it's own launcher. Focuses on technical mods, automation etc, allowing you to build automatic quarries, spend time on beekeeping, setting up actual moving airships and so on.
Technic: An older modpack similar to Feed the Beast. Is a bit "lighter" in that it's easier and also doesn't contain as many mods. Also has it's own launcher.
RPG Immersion: This is downloaded through the FtB launcher and focuses more on the fantasy/rpgish parts, mostly through a single mod called Divine RPG. Loads of monsters and alternate dimensions and new weapons etc, but can be difficult.
Hack & Slash: Changes quite a lot of the minecraft experience, turning it into much more of a dungeoncrawly/roguelike game. Best played on Hardcore mode. Downloaded through the Technic launcher.
You can also download something like the Minecraft Magic Launcher and add in whatever mods you want; search around and you'll find plenty. Nowadays nearly all mods work well in multiplayer (unlike in the Beta).