Playing Minecraft on the computer (Mac to be exact) for whatever reason was getting somewhat tedious. And, probably like a lot of Minecraft players, I do admit that I get excited about updates when they come around. Like you I find myself reading the rumors and following the tweets from the Mojang crew to try to figure out what is coming next. 

Well, I have to say, the 1.8.0 update that just came out was a game changer for me. The new 'adds' are great, like they always are, but there's just something about the block rendering and how the landscape (and underground world) is created that is diffferent now.

Here's a few examples that I had found and posted elsewhere.

• Ravine at Village's Edge | Minecraft 1.8 Seed
  
• Extreme Hill / Stone Beach | Minecraft 1.8 Seed
  

Some people have complained that the new rendering isn't as good as it was in older verisons, but I find it to be just the opposite. It seems like the block rendering engine has improved quite a bit. I posted a few examples below. Yes, the features in the landscape were (for the most part) available in earlier versions. But - and maybe I'm seeings something that isn't there - it seems like there's something just 'better' about the quality and variety in the landscape generation.

Is it just me? Do you find the landscape better in 1.8.0 or was there an earlier version that you think did a better job?