Minecraft: Story Mode - Season Two, Episode One Reviews
Though the episode falls flat in a few areas and drags in the middle, some of the story beats have me interested in knowing where it goes next
A slow start, but Hero in Residence ends on a high note with an interesting new enemy and a very funny new character.
While the first episode does drag a bit in its first half, "Hero in Residence" does a solid job of reintroducing Jesse, Petra, and the rest of the core cast since we last saw them while setting us up for another dose of adventure ahead.
Minecraft: Story Mode gets its second season premier starts off by showing our band of heroes growing up and apart. I'm sure they'll reunite, but Jesse and Petra get to embark on a new adventure with a range of new characters added to go with them on an enjoyable new adventure. It's a shame that some of the new gameplay elements don't quite fit together, but on the whole, Season Two is off to a solid start that will likely hook those who enjoyed the original.
Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two starts off a bit rocky with a content-filled but overall kind of dull episode. Jesse's story continues here with some tried-and-true story beats that might keep younger players engaged, but more experience gamers will want to wait for more episodes to see if this hits Telltale's usual level of quality.
Episode 1 - Hero in Residence feels like a promising start for Minecraft: Story Mode - Season Two. We have both new and old friends combined, as well as a couple of new threats to the world, all of which immediately make you eager to play more.
Season Two of Minecraft Story Mode doesn't open with a bang, but it is a pleasing start all the same. A fresh bunch of characters give the story some pep, and the warm, family-friendly peril continues to be a pleasant time. It won't win any awards for originality, but this season opener does a nice enough job of selling the remainder.
Episode 1: Hero in Residence represents a rather disappointing start to Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two. The story is agonisingly slow to get going, core mechanics are clunky, and there is a huge lack of character throughout which leaves you feeling like you've wasted your time. Unless you were a huge fan of Season One and can't stop punching wood, we'd suggest you wait for another episode to see if this adventure is worth following. We really hope Telltale has got an absolutely stunning season planned, but we're not feeling this one yet.
In fact, the music was great the entire episode and I can't wait to use it as ambiance for my own workspace.
Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2, Episode 1 is a nice return for the series as it continues to be as light and easy as before. The perfect next step for families who love Mojang's absurdly successful creation.
Overall, Minecraft: Story Mode season 2 kicks off with a really strong debut. The writing and characters are sharp and humorous, and the story has me intrigued so far. I'm still very skeptical about your choices really having consequences in the game, but who knows? Maybe they'll have an actual impact on events this time.
The first episode is a good start for Minecraft: Story Mode: Season two, but we need some innovations for this gameplay.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Hero in Residence is a sterling start to Minecraft Story Mode Season 2, an entertaining, engaging outing which shows that that the series is capable of doing more than retreading old ground.
Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two starts off really well and doesn’t let up from the opening chapter to the very last scene of “Hero in Residence”. It’s a great episode with plenty of freshness in the form of new characters and locations. The gameplay is way more varied this time around, with the balance between storytelling and input being just about right.
Telltale games is at it again, they’re masters at bringing us enjoyable interactive stories through their tried and tested formula. But isn’t the formula getting stale and shouldn’t they focus on new IPs instead of making sequels? Let’s dig in.
Minecraft: Story Mode Season 2 is a shining example of iteration done right. Instead of just slapping a new story onto the previous season's set of mechanics and calling it a day, it seems to be trying to deliver a far superior experience. It does suffer mildly from "setup tedium" when it comes to getting the plot going, but once it does, it becomes clear that there's a lot more going on here than in the first season. Assuming that the ride stays smooth throughout, this is shaping up to be one hell of a sophomore season for Minecraft: Story Mode.
While not having the exploration of Minecraft, this story-centric title provides an interesting experience that will give any player a few hours of entertainment. The addition of Crowd Play makes the game far more interesting than some other Telltale games.
Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two fails to capture both the creative freedom of Minecraft, and the meaningful storytelling of a Telltale Games series. While there's definitely some niche appeal for those who are extremely invested in the world and lore of Minecraft, the story and characters don't stand out enough to make this a super compelling title. If Minecraft is something people love playing, they're better off just sticking to it.
The first episode of this new season captures the spirit of Minecraft while still being its own unique beast. Though it skews toward a younger demographic, fans of all ages will appreciate the gameplay elements and lighthearted writing this chapter brings to the table.