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Minetest is a Free Minecraft like Portable Game. Gameplay is similar to Minecraft's where players explore, create or destroy blocks in a first person three dimensional world. Powered by the Open Source Voxel gaming engine, this game can be played not only on Windows, but also from MacOS, Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, or even on Android.

You can easily create and explore worlds on either single or multiplayer servers. Host your own game or choose to join one that is already up and running. Several game mods and texture packs also currently exist allowing players to personalize their gaming experience even further. Moreover, this portable game can be stored and run entirely from your USB flash drive. Bring it with you; play at multiple computers; show your friends, etc.

Free Minecraft like game | Minetest

Shown below is a snapshot of the Free Minecraft like game - Minetest which can be stored and then run portably from a USB flash drive.

Minetest - A Free Minecraft like game can be run from a flash drive

Minetest is an open source, multiplayer voxel-based game that shares similarities with Minecraft. It allows players to explore a blocky, procedurally-generated 3D world with infinite terrain, discovering and extracting raw materials, crafting tools and items, and building or terraforming the environment.

Key features include:

Open Source: Developed under an open-source license, which means that its source code is freely available for the community to view, modify, and distribute.
Multiplayer Support: Players can connect to multiplayer servers, collaborate with others, and explore the virtual worlds together.
Modding Support: It has a modding API (Application Programming Interface) that allows users to create and install mods, adding new features, tools, and gameplay elements to the base game.
Procedural Terrain Generation: This game generates terrain procedurally, creating vast and diverse landscapes for players to explore.
Creative and Survival Modes: Similar to Minecraft, Minetest typically features both creative and survival modes. In creative mode, players have unlimited resources and can focus on building and designing. In survival mode, players must gather resources and survive against environmental challenges.
Active Community: The game has an active community of players, modders, and developers who contribute to its ongoing development and create additional content.

How to Run Minetest on Your USB Flash Drive

Download Minetest: Download the portable version of the game for your system (Windows, Linux, or macOS).
Extract Files: Once the download is complete, extract the files to your USB flash drive. You can use an extraction tool like WinRAR or 7zip if necessary.
Run the Game: Navigate to the Minetest folder on your USB drive and open the executable file (e.g., minetest.exe for Windows). The game will launch, and you can start playing or join a server.

Now you can easily play this minecraft like game on any computer without needing to install it! Just plug in your USB, launch the game, and you're good to go.

Tips and Tricks for New Players

Survival Mode: In the early stages, focus on gathering basic resources like wood, stone, and coal. Craft a crafting table, tools, and torches to make exploring safer.
Building Your First Shelter: Always build a shelter before nightfall to avoid hostile mobs. A simple dirt or wood hut will do the trick to keep you safe.
Exploring and Resources: When exploring, bring along a pickaxe and some torches to mine resources like ores, coal, and metals. These materials will be essential for crafting advanced tools and weapons.
Installing Mods: To install mods, download them from the community website or trusted mod repositories. Extract the mod files to the mods folder in the Minetest directory and enable them in the game’s settings.

By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to becoming a Minetest pro in no time!

Specifications and Where to Download

Authors Website: Project Home Page
Developer: Perttu Ahola, also known as celeron55
First release date: Originally created and released in 2010
Supported OS: Designed to run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Extracted File size: 49 MB
License: Open Source (GNU Lesser General Public License)
Rating: 4 Star
Downloading: You can get the portable version of this free Minecraft like game here:
Minetest download

Final Thoughts

I think Minetest offers a fantastic, free alternative to Minecraft, especially for those looking for a customizable, open source gaming experience. Whether you’re exploring vast new worlds, building intricate structures, or collaborating with friends in multiplayer mode, Minetest offers hours of entertainment without the need for a price tag. Its portability feature, allowing the game to be run directly from a USB flash drive, makes it even more appealing for gamers on the go. With an active community, modding support, and the ability to create a completely personalized gaming experience, it stands out as a great choice for both casual players and those looking to dive deeper into the world of voxel based gaming. If you're already a Minecraft fan or just looking for a free, open world sandbox game, Minetest is certainly worth checking out.