Is Minecraft Realms Worth It? A Comprehensive Review

Is Minecraft Realms Really Worth It?

If you're a Minecraft enthusiast, you've likely come across the term Minecraft Realms in the game's main menu. But what exactly are Minecraft Realms, and more importantly, are they worth the investment? In this post, we'll dive deep into the world of Minecraft Realms, exploring its features, benefits, and drawbacks. By the end, you'll know whether Minecraft Realms is the right choice for your gameplay needs.

Table of Contents

What is Minecraft Realms?

Minecraft Realms is Mojang's official server hosting service, offering players the ability to create their own private Minecraft servers. For a fixed price of $8 per month, you gain access to a completely vanilla Minecraft server that supports up to 11 players - you and 10 of your friends. The server is always online, and Mojang handles all the technical aspects, including automatic world backups.

The Features of Minecraft Realms

At first glance, Minecraft Realms seems like an attractive option for players who want a hassle-free server experience. Here’s what you get with your subscription:

1. Always Online:
   • Your Minecraft server is always online, meaning your friends can join and play even when you're not there.
2. World Backups:
   • Your world is automatically backed up, ensuring that you never lose progress.
3. Cross-Device Play:
   • Although this feature might sound like it supports crossplay between Minecraft Java Edition and Bedrock Edition, it does not. Instead, it allows you to play with others on different operating systems within the same edition of Minecraft.

The Limitations of Minecraft Realms

While the features listed above might seem appealing, especially to beginners or casual players, they come with significant limitations:

1. Limited Player Capacity:
   • With a maximum of 11 players, Minecraft Realms is not suitable for larger communities or projects.
2. Vanilla Only:
   • The server is entirely vanilla, meaning you cannot install mods or plugins. If you're used to running a Minecraft server with custom mods or server plugins, this can be a major drawback.
3. No Real Cross-play:
   • As mentioned earlier, the so-called "cross-device play" only allows players on different systems (like Windows and Mac) to play together, but it doesn’t support cross-play between Java and Bedrock Editions.
4. No Console Access:
   • Unlike traditional server hosting, Minecraft Realms does not provide access to the server's console, making it impossible to manage the server beyond simple player invites and world changes.

Comparing Minecraft Realms to Traditional Hosting

For $8 per month, Minecraft Realms might seem like a decent deal, but let’s compare it to other server hosting options:

1. Traditional Minecraft Server Hosting:
   • With many hosting companies, you can get a fully-featured Minecraft server for a similar or even lower price. These servers often support more players, allow for mod and plugin installation, and provide full access to server files and the console.
2. Hypixel SMP:
   • If you purchase a VIP+ rank on Hypixel, you can create your own SMP (Survival Multiplayer) server. This server supports up to 20 players, double the capacity of Minecraft Realms. While Hypixel SMP doesn’t allow mods or plugins, neither does Minecraft Realms, making this option a better deal for those who want to enjoy multiplayer Minecraft with a slightly larger group of friends. Plus, VIP+ is a one-time purchase, not a monthly fee.

Testing Minecraft Realms: A Personal Experience

To give you a firsthand perspective, I decided to purchase a Minecraft Realm and put it to the test. The setup process was straightforward - I logged into Minecraft, clicked on the "Minecraft Realms" option, and set up my realm. I was able to create a new world, upload existing worlds, and even choose from a variety of world templates and adventure maps.

However, the limitations quickly became apparent:

1. Upload Size Limits:
   • When attempting to upload a large world file (around 23 GB), the upload failed because Minecraft Realms has a 5 GB limit on world size. This limitation is a significant drawback for players with large worlds or those who enjoy building expansive structures.
2. Performance Issues:
   • Despite being a vanilla server with no mods or plugins, I noticed occasional performance hiccups when generating new chunks or performing actions that strain the server. While these issues weren’t severe, they do raise concerns about the server's ability to handle more intensive gameplay.

Final Verdict: Is Minecraft Realms Worth It?

After thoroughly testing Minecraft Realms, I have to say that it’s not the best option for most players. For $8 per month, you can find much better alternatives that offer more features, better performance, and greater customization options.

Who might find Minecraft Realms useful?

1. Beginners or Casual Players:
   • If you're new to Minecraft and want a simple, easy-to-use server without worrying about technical details, Minecraft Realms might be a convenient option.
2. Small Groups:
   • If you’re only playing with a few friends and don’t need any mods or plugins, the convenience of Realms could outweigh its limitations.

Who should look elsewhere?

1. Experienced Players and Server Owners:
   • If you're accustomed to running a server with mods, plugins, and larger player capacities, traditional server hosting or Hypixel SMP will serve you much better.
2. Budget-Conscious Players:
   • The monthly fee of $8 can add up over time. If you're looking for a more cost-effective solution, consider traditional hosting or investing in a one-time purchase like VIP+ on Hypixel.

Conclusion

In the end, while Minecraft Realms offers a hassle-free way to set up a Minecraft server, it falls short in terms of value and features compared to other options available. Before committing to a monthly subscription, I recommend exploring other hosting services or alternatives like Hypixel SMP to ensure you're getting the best experience for your money.