This hyper-realistic Minecraft map looks as good as the real deal

Minecraft - a stunning landscape recreated in high detail of a lake in the forested mountains

(Image credit: qwryzu)

Community created Minecraft builds continue to blow people's minds, and a new map built by user qwryzu is another impressive example of what's possible with a lot of blocks. The build is called 'Vales of Amoril' and is a custom continent map complete with snowy mountains, dense forests, winding rivers, and lush valleys. The level of detail that qwryzu has put into the build is astonishing, I had to do a double-take to make sure it wasn't a photograph.

On their Planet Minecraft page, qwryzu explains that the build took them four months of work, and plenty of practice through the other smaller maps they've created. They use the usual software for Minecraft building—World Machine and World Painter—but include the detail that all the rivers were created by hand, which is impressive considering the patience involved.

The map can be downloaded and played for free, so I jumped in for a quick look. I zoomed around the snowy peaks and followed a twisting river for a while, and sure enough, if you fly high enough it really does look like a photograph.

Minecraft - a closer look at a river winding through snowcapped mountains — (Image credit: qwryzu)

Minecraft - a stony river delta — (Image credit: qwryzu)

Minecraft - wetlands alongside rivers recreated in high definition — (Image credit: qwryzu)

TOPICS

Rachel had been bouncing around different gaming websites as a freelancer and staff writer for three years before settling at PC Gamer back in 2019. She mainly writes reviews, previews, and features, but on rare occasions will switch it up with news and guides. When she's not taking hundreds of screenshots of the latest indie darling, you can find her nurturing her parsnip empire in Stardew Valley and planning an axolotl uprising in Minecraft. She loves 'stop and smell the roses' games—her proudest gaming moment being the one time she kept her virtual potted plants alive for over a year.