Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 1 - The Order of the Stone Reviews
If Episode 1 is of any indication, Minecraft: Story Mode is going to be a journey worth completing.
[T]he story seems more like a prologue than a first episode. I believe it really could have been combined with whatever comes next into a longer first chapter, although perhaps I've been spoiled by the constant activity in the narrative-heavy choice-based Life Is Strange.
Frustratingly, the first 10-15 minutes of Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 1: The Order of the Stone is extremely dull. It's trying to set the scene but just very little happens to the point of it almost being completely off-putting. It then goes from 0-100 in the space of roughly five minutes, and from that moment onwards, the player will be hooked and craving more. Bring on Episode 2!
A charming good time with some stressful, but not agonizingly life-threatening choices - Story Mode brings plot to the sandbox at last.
While I have come to love Telltale's more grown-up titles, 'The Order of the Stone' is fun, wholesome entertainment in its own right. There are plenty of jokes for all ages, along with a healthy dose of slapstick comedy and a few puzzles and quick-time events to spice things up. Perhaps the best thing I can say about it, other than I'm looking forward to the next episode, is that it dearly made me want to fire up my own 'Minecraft' world and get to building.
If you are someone who is really into Minecraft and understand a lot of the elements of the game, you are going to have a much better experience than someone who doesn't know a lot about the game. Even just seeing things like creepers, spiders, skeletons and zombies felt pretty cool just because I knew what they were and I could relate to how Jesse would feel in the game.
Although Story Mode doesn't deviate from Telltale's usual formula, it still manages to make me excited for the second episode in this new episodic adventure, with great dialogue and storytelling. I was skeptical of Telltale's ability to pull off an episodic series in the Minecraft universe, but as far as I can tell from this first episode, they've done a pretty damn good job of it.
The characters and story is easy to get into, and the chapter hangs on an interesting note that sets the basis for the rest of the chapters. The voice acting is really well done, and is very faithful to the source material. It's a bit easier than other Telltale games out there and rather quick to finish, but the experience I've had with the game so far is a very enjoyable one.
The story for the first episode of Minecraft: Story Mode is a little familiar, but it's solid and full of fun references to Minecraft lore. The puzzles are lacking, however.
Story Mode is a solid attempt at giving all new meaning to creativity in Minecraft. The plot is set and it looks to be both interesting and fun. I'm looking forward to continuing the story Telltale has crafted and seeing everything they have in store for the game.
Minecraft: Story Mode's first chapter proves that the Telltale style of storytelling can fit in any universe, as it's a delightful romp through the blocky world of Minecraft.
It's too early to call at the moment, but Minecraft: Story Mode looks set to be shaping up to be another fine effort from the folks at Telltale Games. Combining their narrative excellence with the insanely popular Minecraft franchise has created a unique beast all of its own that takes the best elements from both parties in order to create an engaging and, above all, fun playing experience.
Story Mode – Episode 1 hits or misses with its characters and presents a relatively anemic plot for later episodes to build on; less immediately captivating than its predecessors, yes, but Telltale has set out to find the perfect blend of action and heart – they haven't found it yet – but in later episodes they just might.
For better and worse, it's classic Telltale
A fun start, but there's a lot here to build on.
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.
Save the pig, save the Overworld
Minecraft: Story Mode – Episode One is a promising start to Telltale's latest venture. As someone with only a passing knowledge of Minecraft, the story and characters were interesting enough to pull me in, and the manner in which the first episode ends suggests that there's some fairly major diverging paths to be resolved in Episode Two. It's nothing particularly new, as Telltale games go, but I think that playing with a more family-friendly property has been good for the studio.
Minecraft: Story Mode's first episode gives a clear baseline for seeing where the plot is headed, but the questions it leaves are predominantly on a gameplay front — not the sort you want staying with players. Will the point-and-click elements take greater hold over story sequences that currently dominate? Will quick-time events continue to be a predictable response for every point of conflict? Will player actions feel more and more pointless than they already do? On the matter of how enticing the episode is at building interest in the one to follow, Episode 1 does its job...but not expertly. It's very tame in the gameplay department, and players will find it a shallow experience as a direct result of the contrived design choices. It's enough to put the entire project in jeopardy, ultimately making this introduction a fragile start for the five-part series.
Intended for kids who love Minecraft, or adults who really love Minecraft.