The NPC system was functional but basic. Only six NPCs existed in the initial build: the Guide, the Merchant, the Nurse, the Demolitionist, the Arms Dealer, and the Clothier. Building housing for these characters was the primary motivation for construction. The UI was rudimentary, lacking many of the quality-of-life features we take for granted today, such as the dedicated vanity slots or the advanced crafting interface.
Early reviews compared Terraria to “2D Minecraft with more combat.” But 1.0.0 felt different: terraria 1.0.0
The world was dangerous in quiet ways. Zombies shuffled at your wooden door at night. Demon eyes darted through the darkness. Underground, the first boulder trap taught you paranoia. And deep below, the waited—a worm made of teeth and malice, only summoned by smashing orbs in a crimson-less, purely Corruption chasm. The NPC system was functional but basic
Surface → Corruption (for demonite pickaxe) → Hell (for hellstone) → Skeletron (for dungeon loot) → End. The UI was rudimentary, lacking many of the
Playing (the 2011 release version) is a drastically different experience from the modern game. Many "basic" features didn't exist yet, and the balance was much harsher. 1. Getting Started: The Basics