Most games contain content that is designed for either PvE (player versus environment) or PvP (player versus player) combat, but a handful of titles find ways to implement both at the same time. Releases likeTitanfall,Escape from Tarkov,Destiny 2, andFor Honorare just a few examples that are either designed around PvPvE or feature specific modes based on this dynamic.Minecraft Legends, the upcoming action-strategy game developed by Mojang Studios and Blackbird Interactive, aims to implement the idea in its own unique way.
Minecraft Legends’story mode revolves around an invasion of piglin armies sweeping across a procedurally-generated world. Players explore the world, recruit mobs to fight alongside them, gather resources, and build structures to stop the piglins from taking over. While the story can be played cooperatively with up to four players, the game’s 4v4 competitive multiplayer looks to be a stand-out feature based on a showcase at the Xbox & Bethesda Developer_Direct. IfMinecraft Legendslearns from other PvPvE games, its multiplayer maps and piglin enemies could offer a dynamic experience that keeps players coming back for months.
RELATED:Minecraft Legends' PvP Being Procedurally-Generated Distances It From Other Multiplayer Games
Minecraft Legends' AI Enemies Introduce Unique Situations
Like most RTS games, the objective of PvP inMinecraft Legendsis to destroy the enemy base. Two teams of four work together, choosing to stay at the base to fortify its defenses, scout ahead for information on the enemy’s base, or venture off into the world to discover chests, gather resources, and engage enemies. Whereas most RTS games only have players worry about the opponent’s units,Minecraft Legendsadds AI enemy piglinsinto the mix.
Adding AI-controlled enemies in a PvP game has the potential to be a double-edged sword. On one hand, there are several waysMinecraft Legendscould benefit from this feature. For example, this adds more enemies to fight in fighting real-life opponents, so there’s less downtime andmore variety inMinecraft Legends' combat. It also adds to the feeling of participating in large-scale battles. However, the most controversial impact lies in the dynamism added to matches. With a neutral enemy that can engage anyone, teams will face additional threats that could help or harm either side at any given moment.
AlthoughMinecraft Legends' PvPdoesn’t look to focus much on PvE elements during its moment-to-moment gameplay, it can still provide the opportunity for unique scenarios. The piglins could end up being mere cannon fodder, but they could also be used as a sort of weapon. By engaging the enemy team while piglins attack their base from the other side, players can capitalize on the timing to catch their opponent off-guard. While this might not be the fairest or most balanced approach, it means players must be able to adapt to the piglins at any point during a match.
PvPvE Mechanics Provide Something for Everybody
When games use AI enemies as a core component of the PvP experience, this often appeals to a wider range of player skill. Compared toWarzone 2’sBattle Royale mode where the focus is more on PvP than PvE,Modern Warfare 2’sDMZ modefocuses on PvE elements. This allows players to be more relaxed and engage enemies or accomplish tasks at their desired pace. Lower-skilled players get to feel the satisfaction of taking down enemies, and there are often enough high-level PvE encounters for skilled players to tackle as well.
Numerous PvPvE extraction games have come out in recent years, such asScavengers,Marauders,Dark and Darker, andThe Cycle: Frontier. Extraction games benefit from PvE providing an additional layer of risk, but as an RTS game,Minecraft Legendsbenefits differently.Minecraft Legends’procedurally-generated worldsencourage exploration in each match to discover the location of resources, chests, and so on. Because of this, players will continually be discovering and engaging piglins as they traverse the environment, ensuring PvE remains a factor in every match.
Minecraft Legendsreleases on July 07, 2025, for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
