Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 7 - Access Denied Reviews
Though the gameplay is familiar and the decision-making is still lacking, Episode 7 delivers one of the strongest stories yet
This episode is a step up from the previous one, starting up the halfway point of the Adventure Pass on a much higher note, but it falls short in longevity, proving that a character can be developed and well liked if focused on and given more tie as opposed to adding several characters that don’t necessarily add to the story.
Access Denied is a better episode than the last, helping to refocus on the Order of the Stone's adventures, but the standalone nature of the stories are really exposing the weaknesses of the Telltale model.
With one more episode in the Adventure Pass to go, “Access Denied” marks another solid entry for Minecraft: Story Mode. While there’s not much of an indication of where the story will head off next, hopefully the events of Episode 7 will allow Minecraft: Story Mode to build towards a satisfying, thrilling finale.
As someone who was not impressed with Minecraft: Story Mode's premiere episode The Order of the Stone, over time I have grown to find the characters and their situations quite engaging. This "extended season" has delivered some of the best episodes.... until that is, Access Denied. From not really doing much with with the Borg vibe to not giving the interesting Harper enough to do, it is only in the last few moments that I had my faith renewed. Though episode 7 isn't exactly skippable, the drive to complete it even in an hour or so can feel unfulfilling. As I said, for completionists only.
Access Denied renews the focus on the Order of the Stone’s adventure and adds a couple of interesting new characters into the mix for this sci-fi-tinged episode. Unfortunately, it’s brief and more of a series of good moments peppered into a rather pedestrian plot than the upturn in form that was needed to kickstart this mini-series
Access Denied boasts some good writing and setpieces, with its only true crime being that it generally feels like familiar and somewhat shallow territory for Minecraft: Story Mode.
Although still intended for kids, the plot is more satisfying for all ages.
Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 7: Access Denied is certainly one of the better episodes in the series to date; however, that's hardly something to shout from the rooftops about. It's an enjoyable and weird experience, although its shorter runtime often feels like some conversations and sequences are cut short.
After last episode's streamer spectacle, I was hoping 'Minecraft: Story Mode' could shake off the cobwebs and head for the finish line with grace and aplomb. Instead, we have a tiny little episode with almost zero interactivity and a predictable plot. It's better than 'A Portal to Mystery', but that's a rather dubious honor.
In case you didn’t know, 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! Unfortunately this does mean we’re not getting a second platinum for the series which would have been possible if Episodes 6-8 (and maybe even an episode 9!) had been released as a separate season.
The scale of Minecraft: Story Mode‘s story is reaching a startling height, and I personally became far more enraptured by the transpired events found in this episode than in the previous six.
Still, it's a fine standalone episode not only in length but the tale it provides being the penultimate for this extended Telltale season.