I just beat Minecraft java edition for the first time in a legit normal difficulty survival world—no cheats, no shortcuts—and dang, the End Poem absolutely hit like a truck. I’ve been playing this game since I was 12, back when it was barely more than grass, cobblestone, and water. I remember those early multiplayer worlds where everyone had the default Steve skin, griefing was rampant, and the game felt like this raw, limitless sandbox. I even made Minecraft youtube videos as a kid- it was definitely one of my first loves.

But somehow, after all these years, I never sat down and actually beat the game. Until now.

It only took me two days since I know my way around the game, but the journey was everything. The music is and always will be incredible and peaceful. The Nether was rough—I died more times than I’d like to admit, but finally slaying the Ender Dragon and watching those credits roll was something else. The End Poem just puts everything into perspective. It’s such a perfect way to summarize not just the game but life itself—your significance and insignificance all at once.

Minecraft has been with me for most of my life, and I know no game will ever top it for me. It’s a metaphor for life in the best way possible—a world where you can build, fight, survive, and just exist. It’s undefeated. Those who get it, get it. Excited to watch the movie tomorrow.