Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 1 - The Order of the Stone
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 1 - The Order of the Stone Media
Critic Reviews for Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 1 - The Order of the Stone
Sparse interactivity and a lack of commitment to explaining this world and its inhabitants hold Episode 1 back, but I'm still absorbed in my story, and eager to find out what happens next.
Mechanically you are left with a feeling that there was room for Telltale to - finally - stretch its template a little further than its standard 'side with one character or the other' choices. And if it didn't do so here, with the most open-ended licence going, then it may never. Like all recipes, if you have tried the end result too often then its taste may wear a little thin. But for lapsed Telltale fans or young Minecraft aficionados, Story Mode's opener is an enjoyable first bite.
A Telltale experience through and through, the first episode is enjoyable and whets your appetite just enough to leave you wanting more
Minecraft: Story Mode doesn't deviate from the well-established Telltale formula much, keeping both what works (the storytelling) and what often doesn't work (combat). Even so, it accomplishes something impressive. I was skeptical of Telltale's ability to tell a story in the Minecraft universe that would be interesting to people who weren't already fans of the game, but so far, the studio is pulling it off with aplomb.
It's a slow start, but a pleasant one, for Telltale's narrative take on one of the world's most popular games.
By focusing on a new concept that strays from their normally mature games, this episode paves the way for what is hopefully a great series from a great developer.
Minecraft: Story Mode feels more like a Telltale adventure than a traditional Minecraft experience, but it's still a fun and unusual take on a world that, until now, has had almost no storyline.
All told, Minecraft: Story Mode is a wild ride from start to finish, telling a riveting tale filled with plot twists and interesting characters. That being said, not everyone will be impressed with the fact that it's essentially an interactive movie. If you're the type of gamer who skips cutscenes and prefers satisfying gameplay, steer clear and look elsewhere for your gaming fix. If you're the type of gamer who appreciates listening to a good story (and don't mind stumping up the cash to hear the whole thing), then we would highly recommend this. Minecraft: Story Mode does an excellent job of breathing life into the somewhat anonymous world of Minecraft; this is one tale you'll want to hear.
