Greetings, and welcome to yet another episode of Week in Review.  Take special note, as many of the projects featured this week will probably find their way into Year in Review - 2016.  It goes without saying that this week was one of the more impressive weeks I've seen.  Not nearly as competitive as last week, but the projects at the top are, well, let's just call them special.  So, without further ado, let us begin.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the video version, available in the Week in Review - Video Archive.

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Alright, I know that I’ve been featuring maps that have a lot of nuclear-themed elements recently.  However, I want to take a moment to dispel the nasty rumors that have been circulating.  No, I am not building a nuclear reactor in my backyard.  That would be silly.  I wouldn’t even know where to start.  I don’t even have a 2,500 gallon cooling chamber.  And, no, that small tugboat in my front lawn is not being used as a cooling chamber.  And those barrels full of yellow powder with the biohazard labels on them are just organic cake flour.  I’m taking some baking classes.  I’m learning to make a killer balsamic reduction, as well.  My point is this: nothing has been proven in a court of law.  Hung jury and upcoming retrial aside, I’m definitely innocent.  And so, with all that ridiculousness settled, the best map of the week is The Industrial Island, created by CosmicBlocks_.



And, right off the bat, I’d like to point out that the vat of nuclear waste here is a completely amateurish attempt at realism.  You can’t just leave it open like that.  The radioactive particles are going to leach into the air and water supply.  You have to store it deep underground, preferably with a steel-plated lead shell surrounding it.  I should know; I have vast experience in this matter*.


*Gray Remnant does not have vast experience in matters related to the illegal storage of radioactive waste.  Any and all nuclear experiments have been performed with the express consent of the FBI, the CIA, the department of homeland security, and future president Donald J. Trump.

But lack of realism aside, this is a pretty impressive piece of architecture sitting atop a masterfully composed chunk of terraforming.  I guess this is an island where things of an industrial variety happen, government regulations be damned!



As for the architecture, it seems that CosmicBlocks_ is an avid fan of stairs and slabs, considering he used around 23 million of them to develop some extremely detailed motifs.  Many times people refer to this as stair-spam, but in this case there’s a bit of restraint and a whole lot of skill which, remarkably, makes the excess materials work in a weird sort of way.



And there’s a great variety of ambitious structures in this map, including crumbling bridges, steampunk airships, conveyor belts, cranes, and grinding gears.  And I might also add that there’s some bubbling vats of lava as well as the nuclear sludge that did this to that poor, unfortunate man in RoboCop.



What’s left to say?  This is about as epic a map as you’ll find here on PMC.  I’m fairly certain that there are some pretty illegal activities happening here, but as the recipient of 25 million dollars from the owners of this facility, I can tell you with absolute certainty that if you don’t support this outrage against nature, then you are a socialist!  Shame on you!



This review has been sponsored by Koch Brothers for America.  Koch: If it’s not causing global warming, we didn’t build it.

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The best Mega-Build of the week is a block of architecture titled Isona Town Hall, created by GGJ16.  And before we move on, I’d just like to say that this is definitely not where I attended a federal grand jury hearing for the illegal acquisition of nuclear materials last summer.  That didn’t happen!  Stop asking!



This is a combination of two buildings: a posh city hall, and a housing complex.  They are appealingly presented inside a single city block, surrounded by realistic roads, and a veritable flock of automobiles of all shapes and sizes.



While this is certainly not the largest mega-build I’ve featured here on Week in Review, it is definitely an example of quality over quantity.  I’m not sure if this particular project could have been presented in a more appealing and suitable way.



Isona Town Hall is a relatively minimalistic creation, relying on sound architecture and small details, rather than the sheer exuberance usually featured in this section.  And while this is probably not going to blow your mind, it should make you appreciate the vision that GGJ16 adapted with such skill and precision.



The town hall is exactly what any town hall should be.  It has pillars, a symmetrical layout, and a dated feel.  Conversely, the housing complex is a bit less refined, with a monotonous series of windows, and some really creative detail on the roof.  These two structures complement each other perfectly, incorporating different architectural styles, while remaining true to the city’s overall meta-style.

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And now, we turn our attention to terraforming, and at long last, I finally have a massive, multi-biome mega-terrain to show you guys.  That gorgeous continent is simply titled Nui, by LeafySeaRabbit.



LeafySeaRabbit has shown time and time again, that he is adept at creating big, bold terrains in Minecraft.  And not unlike the rest of his body of work, Nui is an absolutely colossal landscape with an impressive variety of biomes.



The entire landmass is a vibrant canvas composed of rocky cliff-sides, thick rainforests, sandy dunes, snow-sprinkled mountain ranges, and the ever-classic volcanic wastelands.  It’s everything that one comes to expect from these kinds of mega-terrains.



And like all multi-biome terrains, this one incorporates a contrasting selection of textures and techniques.  The desert biome is smooth and layered, the tundra is rough and sporadic, and the volcanic region has the likeness of fine, red powder sprinkled over a series of ominous ridges.



Every biome has its own identity and the borders between them, while not as gradual as the best of the best, make sense from a regional perspective.  It’s definitely a shining example of how biomes can be combined to assemble a terrain with a larger, more impressive overall feel.

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Before we talk about organic work, I just have to say one thing.  The best organic work of this week is definitely going to be a contender for Year in Review - 2016.  I know, it’s difficult to ascertain something like that this early into the new year, but in this case, there can be no denying it.  The best organic work of the year so far is A Futuristic Past, created by the incomparable SuiCia1_M0nKeY.



This is a work of sheer genius.  And I’m not just saying that because I have nothing else to say.  I’m not being disingenuous.  This is honestly the most brilliant thing I’ve seen this year.  There are so many different components to talk about here, so I’ll try to compartmentalize my thoughts.



Let’s start by talking about what the hell this thing is.  This seems to be a large, technologically advanced stage, built for the express purpose of housing a robotic demigod with a holographic projector.  I know, that’s a pretty complex and wacky description, but that’s exactly what it is.



The stage, in and of itself, is a great use of negative space.  It’s not particularly complicated (at least not compared to the other components), but the hexagonal panels and the insane railing make for a great backdrop for the rest of this crazy scene.



Then you have the projector, a luminescent domed device, emitting beams of light that form the outline of a mountainous terrain.  As if the concept isn’t cool enough, it pales in comparison to how well it was executed.  Using translucent materials was a clever idea, and one that is accentuated well with some of the renders.



But the best part of this project, by far, is the magnificent, robotic humanoid figure.  I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such a masterfully composed collection of miniaturized mechanical components before.  It’s seriously of a quality that rivals the best organic work of 2015.  It’s hard enough to construct a humanoid figure of this size, but to incorporate the pistons, wires, and technological nuggets the way SuiCia1_M0nKeY did is a sight to behold.



If you really want your mind blown, I would suggest taking a look at the mechanical components behind the translucent face-plate.  The way the eyes, mouth, teeth, and other facial features were constructed is perhaps the most innovative and flat-out creative thing I’ve ever seen here on PMC.



And again, I’m not usually this overwhelmingly positive on Week in Review.  I try to remain a little bit grounded and analytical most of the time.  But can you really blame me for fawning over this utter and incontrovertible masterpiece?  I can’t talk about this anymore.  I’m drooling on my keyboard.

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For the land structure category, let’s tone it down a bit this week.  The past few weeks I’ve been talking about complex medieval building packs, military vehicles, and industrial power stations.  This week, let’s focus on a nice, simple Modern House, by Im2gr84u.



To be sure, this is a simple house, but it’s anything but ordinary.  There’s a really inspired use of materials here that, in conjunction with the texture pack, creates an incredibly rustic, yet modern style that’s rare to see executed as well as it is here.



The design of the building is fairly unorthodox for Minecraft.  There’s a lot of angles and asymmetry that’s difficult to handle for most builders, but Im2gr84u does very well.  The roofing, windows, and the clever use of foliage are all perfectly utilized.



As for exterior decor, Modern House makes great use of floor designs, as well as modern decor elements like pools and elaborate seating arrangements.  There’s also some really unique modern, 3D art sitting in the water to enhance the surrounding environment even further.



But one of the most impressive aspects of this build is the interior work.  Honestly, I was seriously considering putting this build in the decor category this week.  Can you blame me?  I mean, look at the rich details Im2gr84u managed to create inside this house.  Inspired light fixtures, furniture, and one of the best modern kitchens I’ve ever seen are just some of what you’ll find.



In the end, this house is outstanding on all fronts.  It’s rare to see such a complete build inside, outside, and all around.

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I’ve been on PMC for quite some time.  And when it comes to passenger planes, I thought I saw it all.  But this week, I saw a passenger plane with more precision, detail, and raw style than I’ve ever seen before.  And that plane was Airbus A380, created by squirrel-friend.



It doesn’t get much better than this, folks.  This plane is an absolute juggernaut of innovative detailing and absolute realism.  All the measurements are spot-on, and the liveries are absolutely flawless.



Add to that some excellent engines, landing gear, perfectly placed windows, and a ton of minor details.  Squirrel-friend spared no expense when creating this behemoth.  It’s really nice to see people devoting themselves so completely to their work.



And nobody can deny that squirrel-friend has some serious skill when it comes to producing some of the most beautiful renders on this site.  Especially with minimalist builds like this, top notch renders can really add another layer to the presentation.

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When it comes to small-scale sailing vessels, it all comes down to one thing: the sails, of course.  It’s not an easy concept to execute correctly, but when it’s done right, it can be just about the most striking thing you can design in Minecraft.  This week, no boat was more striking than H.M.S. Minerve - ShipSide, created by Aequotis.



This boat is a complex matrix of sails, flags, and ropes galore.  There isn’t a whole lot of empty space amidst all the sails and infrastructure, which speaks to the level and density of the detail Aequotis was able to develop here.



The hull isn’t particularly complex or detailed, but it really doesn’t need to be.  Something like this is designed to draw attention to what’s going on above the deck.  And what’s going on above deck is quite impressive, indeed.



Every sail is expertly shaped and curved, and Aequotis’ usage of fencing couldn’t be more refined.  Speaking from experience, it’s very difficult to use fence posts in this way, but the results are limitless when it’s done correctly.

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This next build is a sort of hybrid between a hub and a plot.  Consequently, I put it in the hub category because, well, I don’t really know.  Let’s just say I flipped a coin.  Who cares.  The best hub (or plot, if you’re in an alternate dimension where the coin landed on the opposite side) of the week is Holnfirth Keep, created by -Pang-.



Holnfirth Keep is a massive, domed tower sitting amidst a dense plot of terraforming and foliage.  The terraforming is smooth and well composed, and the trees are just about as good as any I’ve seen in the past.



The architecture used in the tower is of a similar quality.  There are layers upon layers of detail, created with stairs, slabs, swirling patterns, and some striking geometrical shapes.  And let’s not forget the surrounding structures, including a really expertly made sailboat.



The interior of this massive structure is definitely one of the highlights.  The flooring, the windows, and the hanging lantern create an immersive feel.  This is something that’s a complete, interactive experience, inside and out.

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Much like the aforementioned project, the best plot of the week was relatively difficult to classify.  In fact, you could make the case that it’s a map, mega-build, land structure, plot, or even a piece of decor.  But, at the end of the day, plots are plots, and so I present to you Medieval Playerhome, created by Kellerbier.



This is the biggest plot I’ve featured so far, and boy is there a lot to talk about.  Let’s start with the terraforming.  It’s rare to see someone develop a unique, swirling terrain like this in a plot.  Many times, the exterior environment is simple and serves as a backdrop, but here the terraforming is more of a highlight.



But, terraforming aside, the true star of this plot is the architecture.  Kellerbier has created a spectacular, medium-scale house, with a lot of asymmetry and character.  Not one aspect of this building is simple or easily constructed.  There was no MCedit used here.  Everything is entirely hand-made and a true sign of hard work.



And yet, despite the seemingly chaotic array of towers, arches, and crazy roofing, there is a profound sense of order here.  This wasn’t sloppily thrown together; there is method in it.  It’s a really smart design, with copious amounts of detail on every side and surface.



As if that’s not enough, Medieval Playerhome also has some stellar interior work.  There’s a lot of really clever rustic material combinations, and every square inch is thoughtfully filled with neat furniture and stonework.

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And now it’s time to talk about the best decor of the week.  So far, 2016 has conjured up quite an impressive selection of interior work, ranging from modern libraries to rustic homes.  However, throughout the first month of 2016, there has been one user who has excelled in this new category more than any other.  And that user is veloticy, who has created Academia Nautica de Immanuel Rol.



This is certainly not the biggest piece of interior work you’ll find, but it’s definitely one of the smartest.  Basically, this is a small school for naval officers.  I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that idea brought to life in Minecraft, so I guess it’s fair to say that this is quite a creative concept.



The level of detail here is astronomical.  Though this build is a small, two-story house, veloticy was somehow able to utilize every square inch in an unprecedented way.  I’ll tell you this: it definitely looks bigger on the inside.



Veloticy is clearly the best and most experienced veteran of the Conquest community.  I don’t think there’s anybody with such an adept understanding of the texture pack, and how to utilize it properly.



That skill is evident here, where he’s created an extremely dense and strangely cozy academic environment.  Rows of desks, carefully crafted stonework, hanging flags and banners, and piles of mapping equipment and scholarly materials are just some of the things you’ll find inside this truly inspired piece of architecture.



If there’s a discernible point to interior work, I think it’s best described as creating a unique and transformative environment.  It’s not easy to do this in Minecraft, especially when space is an issue.  But when you see a small space utilized as flawlessly as this, you know you’ve found something really special.

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Not dissimilar from last week’s winner, the best gadget of the week is a vanilla mod titled TANKS with only one command block, created by modding expert extraordinaire: TheRedEngineer.



Who doesn’t like blowing things to smithereens with a tank?  Well, now you can do it in Minecraft.  TheRedEngineer has created an aesthetically pleasing tank, rife with excellent details and structural accuracy.



But moreover, this tank is fun to drive and is programmed to loose hellfire on anything your destructive little heart desires.  I don’t have the slightest idea how one goes about making something like this, but I think it’s clear that this is not easy to do.  And that makes it all the more impressive that TheRedEngineer was able to create something as refined and functional as this with nothing more than some command blocks and some mathematical savvy.

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BlockWorks.  There, I said it.  As you all probably remember, this particular user dominated Week in Review last year.  And now, near the conclusion of January, BlockWorks has created what may turn out to be the best mini-game of the year.  That mini-game is a revolutionary adventure map titled We Are The Rangers.



This is an incredible collaboration of over 116 people and, as you would expect, there is a lot to talk about.  Let’s start with the terraforming.  It’s rare to see such an incredible landscape in something interactive.  Most adventure maps don’t look as epic as this one does.



But it’s not just aesthetics; We Are The Rangers is a completely redefined Minecraft experience.  Basically, it sets players on a quest to save various animals from poachers.  It’s a really creative idea, and a complicated one that requires a lot of programming and commands to be brought to life.



It’s impressive to see so many vanilla commands incorporated into a single map.  Countless mobs, vehicles, NPCs, and quest-lines are brought together to create an amazing and novel experience.



More than anything else, this is a very refined and professional project.  Like everything they do, BlockWorks brings a sense of perfectionism and a presentation that transcends its competition.  This feels like so much more than just Minecraft.

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It seems that adding the coaster category to Week in Review has rekindled the prevalence of the genre here on PMC.  Every week, I’m finding more and more coasters, which is a relief because I have no idea what the hell I’d do if there came a week where none were posted.  This week, the best coaster is The Rise-Dive, created by NamedCow750.



This is a well-designed coaster, complete with curves, drops, and tunnels.  It’s not particularly long, but there are some pretty crazy twists and turns that make it a short, but fun experience.



But aside from the fun factor, this coaster has some really creative design elements.  The side of every ramp and support structure is heavily detailed with neat-looking nooks and crannies.  I’ve never seen a coaster designed like this, which is why I was so surprised to see it.  It’s definitely a new and unique take.

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I hoped you enjoyed this episode, and do be sure to join us again next week.  Thanks for the continued support, everybody.  ;)