Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 6 - A Portal to Mystery Reviews
Problems from past episodes still haunt this one, but the murder mystery keeps you guessing and the action scenes are exciting
While this is a relatively weak episode in the Minecraft: Story Mode world, it isn’t the worst episode and with the addition of the new characters, it will be enjoyable for fans and players alike.
A Portal to Mystery is a disappointing episode. While the story itself is fun, there is too much emphasis on the YouTube personalities that only fans of them will appreciate.
With two more chapters left from the current story arc, Minecraft: Story Mode offers an episode that provides both a delightful diversion and a curious detour in the larger context of its tale.
Only two episodes remain for Telltale’s extended first season. If you’re still playing, you’ve most likely grown attached to the members of The Order of the Stone. These stand-alone stories work; I still laugh at Ivor’s fiendish enthusiasm or Petra’s deadpan humor. I’m hoping the title of Episode 7, Access Denied, means that the episode will be a science fiction-themed tale. And maybe, just maybe, the final episode will be a love story. Whatever Telltale Games has in store, I’m on board.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Telltale can shift gears in the next two episodes, as they look to find new and interesting worlds and situations to explore.
Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 6 brings on some YouTube talent that will please their fans, but disappoint everyone else. The central story, which involves a spooky house and a murder mystery, has its moments, but the overall feeling is that this was not the episode that fans waited so long for.
Minecraft enthusiasts of a certain age-range will be excited by the prospect of seeing their YouTube heroes appearing in A Portal to Mystery, and for the most part, this is a fun murder mystery romp. However, the need to shoehorn in these extra characters takes away from the established cast, and the results of this venture are incredibly haphazard.
A Portal to Mystery is a brave and light episode, eccentric but well built. Minecraft Story Mode is starting to suffer a bit of fatigue, but this episode seems like willing to show a first attempt to change, which was quite necessary for the series.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A Portal to Mystery has solid pacing and a fun mystery angle, but the clumsy use of its cameos and shallower than usual gameplay make it one of the weaker installments of Minecraft: Story Mode.
Although still intended for kids, the plot is more satisfying for all ages.
Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 6: A Portal to Mystery is certainly one of the better games in this fairly mediocre series; however, by the standards that we've came to expect from Telltale, it's nothing special. Fans of the YouTubers involved will absolutely love this episode and the references they make, but if you don't follow it, chances are a lot of the jokes will be missed.
'Story Mode' has been Telltale’s most consistently unpredictable series in recent memory in terms of its quality. The stronger episodes, full of great jokes, interesting locales, and the occasional heartwarming moment, have been undermined by duds like 'Assembly Required' and now this streamer tribute. It’s best to wash our hands of it and hope for greater adventures the next time the New Order of the Stone meets.
On a side-note, the main story (first five episodes) featured a Platinum Trophy, and the three new episodes in the Adventure Pass trophies are all awarded for regular progression, with none of them being missable, which is always great news!
While this particular episode doesn’t progress the overarching story of our heroes, it offers a wonderful subplot that leads to a series of events fueled by intrigue and deductive reasoning.
In the end Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 6: A Portal to Mystery is an adequate adventure that feels tacked on to the primary storyline. Some of its creative choices work better than others, and while I have mixed feelings on the guests in the episode as they did not interest me much personally, I can appreciate Telltale's willingness to take some chances and try something a little quirky and different.
A Portal to Mystery was a great time providing a solid tale of spooky action while balancing a large cast of characters.