Hello and welcome to a very special episode of Week in Review.  This week was, by far, the most competitive week in the history of this show, with 115 featured projects!  Also, there are some major changes pertaining to medals and point values, which you can check out right here:


Don't forget to check out the video version, which is available in the Week in Review - Video Archive.  Please enjoy.

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This was one of the most competitive weeks I’ve ever seen here on Week in Review.  There were more than 50 maps and mega-builds that were in contention, and my decisions in those categories were harder than ever.  Still, I’ve found that in these kinds of situations there’s always one map in particular that stands out in terms of concept and creativity.  And this week, that map was Fission Isle, created by Jimjabway.



Fission Isle isn’t an especially large map, but it’s a bold one.  This map embodies virtually every aspect of nuclear power, be it in the form of massive smokestacks, or a gigantic warhead-armed turret.



There’s certainly no confusion as to what Jimjabway wanted this map to be.  Very rarely do you see a concept so flawlessly adapted and improvised in-game.  And it’s not an easy one.  There’s a lot of miniaturized components that have to be executed.



And that’s another thing I like about this map; it’s incorporates multiple styles and motifs.  It would have been easy to just build an industrial facility, with purely mechanical elements, but Jimjabway created something with more variance.



The terraforming instills a natural, tropical feel, while the smokestacks contrast it with a more man-made, technical flair.  The architecture and the sailing vessels feel dated, while the automated nuclear turret seems like something out of the far future.



All of this equates to one indisputable fact: this map is intriguing.  There’s a lot of components to digest, and a lot of sound architectural skill was put into it.  I don’t often see maps like this, but when I do, it’s a hell of a lot more fun to analyze and review them than, say, just another generic medieval castle.

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Every once in a while, I come across a very very old project that’s been tweaked and modified over the years.  These kinds of builds tend to be extra special because they bring a bit of the Minecraft flair of yesteryear, while incorporating some new techniques along the way.  One such mega-build is Paris - Eiffel Tower, created by LanguageCraft.



This is a really phenomenal chunk of architecture, and boy is there a lot of it.  I don’t know if you can technically call this a plot, but whatever it is, it’s damn impressive.  And in case you can’t tell from the previous image (which, might I say, is one of the best renders I’ve seen in a long time), there is more to see than just the Eiffel Tower.



Indeed, this is a massive slab of Paris, including the aforementioned Eiffel Tower, canals, boats, large-scale pieces of architecture, helicopters, and a lot of really nice infrastructure.



But one of the things that really stands out is the quality of each of these components.  It’s very evident that this build was put together over a lengthy period of time.  Only through intense critiquing, editing, and renovation can someone bring something so flawless into existence.



And it just goes to show that truly exceptional work takes time.  You can’t just impart detail like this over a 24-hour time period.  It takes years, but beyond that, it also takes vision.  LanguageCraft clearly had a picture of this in mind, and after 4 years that picture has been brought to life.

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This week I saw a terrain that’s unlike any terrain I’ve ever reviewed here on Week in Review.  I’ve seen some really creative stuff over the months, but I’ve never seen someone manipulate a terrain quite like Terraced Ruins, created by creativitRy.



At its core, Terraced Ruins is a fairly large mountain range, sitting atop a waterlogged valley.  But the thing that really elevates this terrain to new heights is the complementary terraces that creativitRy added.



Adding this man-made component is a great way to change the look and feel of what is otherwise just another mountain range.  It kind of reminds me of a Minecraft reinterpretation of Machu Picchu.



And the fact that these terraced sections are each irregularly shaped, and entirely hand-made only adds to the overall effect Terraced Ruins has on the viewer.  It’s a very striking environment and one that utilizes more techniques and skill than most terraforming projects out there.

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There were a lot of fantastic organic figures uploaded this week.  In fact, I would dare say that this week was the most impressive week, at least in anatomical terms, in the history of Week in Review.  Surprisingly, however, the best organic work of the week is not one of those figures.  Instead it’s A living painting, created by Finderzz.



I know, I know, this isn’t a massive, fire-breathing dragon or a steampunk horse, but hear me out.  This is an example of quality over quantity; concept over visualization.  It doesn’t rely on blowing the viewer’s mind, but instead is meant to make the viewer think.



First of all, I’d like to point out that the mere 2-dimensional backdrop of this painting is amazing in and of itself.  I think it might be some of the best, original pixel art I’ve ever seen.



But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.  Finderzz takes this build to the next level by adding multiple 3-dimensional components that emanate from the surface of the painting.  The frame, foliage, and organic figures all leap (in some cases literally) forth from their 2D world, creating a scene that evolves and plays out in majestic detail.



This is a really whimsical idea, and one that is difficult to execute due to the small scale of some of the figures.  But when it’s done right, it can be just about the most beautiful thing you can create in Minecraft.

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As if we haven’t broken enough new ground yet, the best land structure of the week is even more progressive than any of the previous categories.  Rather than a medieval house or a collection of automobiles, the best land structure of the week happens to be Ironwood substation, created by Sorna_.



This is a bold, minimalist idea, and one that’s executed just about as well as possible.  The key to this build is composition.  In order to make something this simple look amazing, you have to make sure that every miniaturized structure is perfect and you have to position them all in an appealing way.  Sorna_ does all of that without missing a beat.



The other thing I like is the originality behind this project.  I haven’t seen a lot of these substations made during my time here on PMC.  I guess it’s the type of idea that people are afraid is going to flop amidst other, more visually stunning ideas.  So it’s all the more impressive that someone committed to this without faltering or worrying about the community’s perception.



From my perspective, this is brilliant.  It’s a great example of how simple, minimalistic ideas can stand out amidst heavily detailed, juggernaut projects that typically sell much better than this.

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I suppose at this point you’re expecting something wildly outside the box for the air structure category.  Well, I’m sorry to inform you that this category is not quite as surprising as the last one.  True to form, the best air structure of the week is Boeing 777 Livery Pack, created by JordanCO_TV.



Yes yes, I’m aware that last week’s air structure was a Boeing as well.  But, hey, Boeings can be great as long as they’re properly detailed.  This is a case of superb detailing.



JordanCO_TV has supplied some really impressive liveries, as well as some landing gear, loading equipment, and some really stellar interior work.



But the thing I really like about this project is the presentation.  Some of the screenshots and renders here are beautifully composed.  And when it comes to an aircraft that’s been done to death here on PMC, it’s the details and the presentation that really matter.

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I hate sailing.  No, really, it’s highly overrated.  Wind is for hippies.  I prefer gasoline.  Which is why it pains me to say that the best water structure of the week is Regatta of 5 ships, created by DelucCreation.



This is a collection of five sailing vessels (two monohull models and three trimarans).  I really like the design of catamarans and such and apparently so does DelucCreation.



The hulls are each meticulously detailed and very realistic.  But the thing that really stands out in my mind is the design of the sails.  Each is perfectly sized, curved, and accompanied with a matrix of ropes and support structures.



Couple that with some really beautiful color patterns and some outstanding renders and you have a top-notch sailboat project.

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Normally, the hub category is fairly competitive on a weekly basis.  However, this week there was a hub that stood so far ahead of its competition, it was a no-brainer.  The best hub of the week is CraftCadia Space Station, created by Prolethium.



This is an absolutely epic hub.  And keep in mind, I always hesitate to use the word ‘epic’.  It’s a word that’s highly overused, but in this case it’s perfectly fitting.  Every minor component in this hub, be it the zooming asteroids, the hyper-futuristic architecture, or the coiled space-dragon (yes, you heard me: SPACE DRAGON) is flawlessly executed and full of immaculate details.



It’s really rare to see a hub so saturated with such a high level of structures and organic work.  Virtually everything in here could be a contender in the organic or mega-build categories.  And that, I suppose, is true of every great hub.

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And at long last, I am pleased to present to you a plot that will garner no unrest or disagreement amongst the Week in Review alumni.  To be sure, there is no doubt that the best plot of the week is Roofed Village, created by fWhipCraft.



This is probably one of the most heavily detailed plots I’ve ever seen.  It’s not particularly big, nor is it full of crazy architecture.  This is simply overflowing with rich texture, a profuse usage of materials, and a deft incorporation of trees and foliage.



And don’t even get me started with the interior work.  The inside of every structure is covered in top-notch decor from top to bottom.  Inside and out, every corner of this plot is decorated in a calculated and consistent manner.



But the thing that I really love about this plot is how utterly enclosed it is.  When you stand anywhere inside it, it’s completely impossible to tell that you’re standing on a plot.  That’s because fWhipCraft took the time to shroud the entire perimeter with trees and plant life.  It’s like a completely contained ecosystem that feels like a microcosmic world of its own.

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Sometimes you come across a house that’s almost entirely designed to showcase interior work.  This week, that house is F House, created by MDRN.



Virtually every square inch of this abode is buried beneath a temperate landscape.  Consequently, there’s very little to be seen above ground.  However, in this case, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.



F House makes full use of its interior space by creating a cozy, minimalist environment.  It’s not completely overwhelmed with detail, but instead uses smart composition to wow the viewer.  The dim lighting, skylights, and open room layouts are both unique and sublime.



Unlike most of the other interior spaces I’ve reviewed in recent weeks, this one doesn’t focus on crazy material combinations.  Instead, there’s an increased focus on basic material contrasts, as well as smart layouts.  The use of stone brick, for example, is a great contrast to the predominantly white flooring.



At the end of the day, this is really captivating interior work.  I don’t know if I’ve ever seen minimalist decor done quite like this, but I’m sure that it stands amongst the best of the best.

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Every once in a while somebody creates a vanilla mod that simply blows my mind.  And, like something straight out of GTA 5, the best gadget of the week is a mod titled Planes in Vanilla Minecraft, created by McMakistein.



There’s not much to say about this one.  In terms of aesthetics, the plane design is pretty impressive.  I’m not exactly an expert on vanilla modding, but this seems like quite a feat to me.



In terms of functionality, the plane is pretty easy to control and it’s a blast to fool around with.  If the point of modding in Minecraft is to offer people a new way to experience the game, then this one is an undeniable masterpiece.

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Amidst a never-ending maelstrom of parkour courses and PvP arenas, some mini-games challenge the norm and offer a more novel Minecraft experience.  Such is true with Divergence - A Spot the Difference Puzzle Map, created by Zatharel.



This is a fun take on the classic ‘spot the difference’ concept, reconstructed in Minecraft.  Instead of looking at two images side-by-side, however, you have to distinguish differences between two 3-dimensional areas.



It’s not the most challenging task in the world, but it’s definitely a fun experience and excellently built as well.  I suppose that’s one of the things I like to see out of any mini-game.  Aesthetics are just as important as functionality.

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And, in a shockingly unexpected twist, there were actually two rollercoasters that qualified for this week’s episode of Week in Review.  That’s a first.  The competition is really ramping up (not really), and this week the best coaster is The Confusion Coaster, created by Zero G (who is really Master G, but he’s currently deep undercover trying to bust the PMC Mafia; a horribly corrupt institution lead by Horwitz, of course).



This is a pretty simple coaster, filled with twists and turns, and saturated in a veritable forest.  The surrounding foliage creates a nice atmosphere while you’re riding, and contributes to the inability to foresee the upcoming changes in direction (I guess that’s why it’s called The Confusion Coaster).



But overall this is a solid coaster and a well-built one at that.  It doesn’t have as much structural support as some of the others I’ve reviewed in the past, but it’s a fun ride nonetheless.

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Thank you very much for all your continued support!  I really appreciate it.  Don't forget to tune in next week for some more weekly Minecraft goodness.  See you then.