Review

Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 1: The Order of the Stone

Telltale is at it again! They’ve taken a license that’s beloved by many and adventurefied it. Yes…I know that’s not a word, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing matters anymore as the unthinkable has happened; Minecraft has its own story!

For those who don’t know, Minecraft is a survival/open world game where players are free to explore however they see fit. It’s mostly known for its building features that allow players to construct grand structures using materials gained from the environment; blocks representing different materials can be placed on one another like LEGOs. Though there are no set goals, there are rules one should follow – like the need to build a house before dark comes to avoid being attacked by monsters. There’s more to it than that but you get the gist. 

Minecraft: Story Mode “The Order of the Stone”, introduces gamers to Jesse, Olivia and Axel as they gear up for the annual Endercon – an event where Minecraft’s denizens gather to show off their building skills. Considered losers due to their repeated loses to a rival team and the fact that they’re a little eccentric (one of Jesse’s best friends is his pet pig), they decided to meet up early. Plans are shoddily prepared. A pig is made to look like a dragon. Jesse and the gang are out to prove something, especially after learning that the Order of the Stone’s very own Gabriel would be visiting this year’s event; if the adoration of a legendary warrior doesn’t justify one’s coolness amongst their peers, nothing will. Things go awry after a rival team member tries to sabotage their work though. Creepers, zombies, and giant spiders later, our “heroes” stumble onto something big. Like the end of the Overworld big.

The story gives me an 80’s family movie vibe. You know; the action comedy where a band of would-be heroes/antsy teens set out to save the day using a little determination and a lot of luck. Charming characters and wacky happenings abound, this light hearted approach fits perfectly over Minecraft’s blank canvas. Adding a pinch of awesome is the fact that the game’s references to pop culture are all of itself. All of the characters had this strange self-awareness that kept them rooted in Minecraft but treated everything as if it were real. NPC’s at Endercon sold Creeper masks for example.

That said, Story Mode does take itself seriously enough to warrant a caring audience. I found myself rather invested in the characters even though I haven’t been in their company for very long. Per usual, Telltale’s writers have done a great job here. Of course, the voice talent helps sell the charm. Depending on whether you pick the male or female version of Jesse, he or she will be voiced by Patton Oswalt and Catherine Taber, respectively, both of whom do a great job as the lead character. Ashley Johnson, Paul Reubens (yes, Pee-wee himself), and Brian Posehn are just a few of the key voices you’ll hear throughout this episode.

Outside of the story beats and celebrity voices is the actual gameplay, where Minecraft’s influence is stronger than ever. Whether it’s the ability to craft items at crafting tables or the sword fighting segments, a lot of the mechanics have been lifted from the original game and planted here. This includes being able to pick which sex you’d prefer Jesse to be; the main character is treated as newly created avatar, without the custom skins of course. I especially liked how Telltale created puzzles that incorporated these elements in logical ways. I couldn’t help grinning every time one of Jesse’s friends lent him materials to craft a needed item.

Ironically, Story Mode is the most “adventure” game Telltale has made in some time. The story for one, doesn’t completely overshadow the gameplay. There is also more to do when it comes to solving puzzles here than in say The Walking Dead. And while the puzzles aren’t that challenging at all, you’ll never have to do silly things like try to fix a two-way radio without first checking to see if it had batteries. All and all, this first episode is a great start to a new Telltale series. I can’t wait to see how my decisions will affect Jesse and the rest when “Assembly Required” is released!