Developer 4J Studios has unveiled the first gameplay trailer for Reforj, an open-world sandbox game being crafted by the co-developer of Minecraft. Known for their work on porting Minecraft to consoles and creating content packs, 4J Studios is now venturing into their own take on the genre, offering a voxel-based world where players can build, explore, and survive.
At first glance, the gameplay might appear familiar to Minecraft enthusiasts, but there are distinct nuances hinting at new features. The character can glide, both in open areas and within dungeons, providing a faster means of navigation. Additionally, gliding can be experienced from both first and third-person perspectives.
Resource gathering also introduces some novelties. The gameplay demonstrates the ability to manipulate objects and shapes from a distance while constructing. Players can swiftly gather items by felling an entire tree with a single block near the root or by taking down three blocks simultaneously. Notably, no specific tools are showcased for these actions.
4J Studios officially announced Reforj in September for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The game is powered by the Elements Engine, which was first revealed on May 22. According to an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz, the team comprises around 50 employees, though not all are currently working on Reforj. Among them is Joseph Garrett, a well-known Minecraft YouTuber known as Stampy.
Although Reforj is still in its early stages, 4J Studios is keen to emphasize that it is not intended to be Minecraft 2. "Everyone needs a frame of reference," said 4J founder and chairman Chris van der Kuyl in an interview with GI.Biz. "But it will offer a very different gameplay experience. That doesn't mean players will stop enjoying the games they love. They will continue to do so. We still have a marketplace in Minecraft. This is just something fresh for those who adore the genre, and we believe they haven't had anything new in quite some time."
