While it's a fairly common trend for Nintendo games to be focused around the gameplay first and foremost, there are other games that go in a completely different direction. Some aren't so much about the gameplay as they are about the story or the experience, and while this is certainly different from a conventional video game, it's not necessarily worse because of it. Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 1: The Order of the Stone is one such title, trading gameplay for a rich story that has an appeal all its own.
Telltale Games is known for creating story driven experiences and the 'gameplay' of its releases is often more akin to a choose your own adventure novel. The game is effectively an extended that lasts a little over an hour, with interactive aspects and quick time events scattered throughout to keep things interesting. For example, a character could ask your opinion on something and you're given four potential dialogue options with only a few seconds to choose one.
Though not everyone will appreciate being rushed into things it keeps the game moving at a brisk pace and makes it feel pseudo-realistic, in a sense, as real life doesn't always wait for you to mull over every outcome. Additionally, there are some scenes that are rather like a point and click game, where your character can be freely controlled in a limited space and examine environmental objects. It can be somewhat irritating moving a cursor around with the right analogue stick, but this can be easily alleviated by just tapping the object on the GamePad screen, which mirrors the TV.
Gameplay may be fairly limited, but the story more than picks up the slack and Telltale has made sure that its characters are all well written and likable to some extent. The story primarily follows the main character, Jesse, a dorky individual who is something of a social outcast, along with his two best friends, Olivia and Axel. What begins as a trip to the annual EnderCon competition quickly spirals out of control and sees our heroes and their companion pig, Reuben, set out on a quest to find the lost members of the Order of the Stone and save the world.
The plot may be fairly predictable and some of the jokes seem a little forced, but the excellent voice acting adds additional dimension to the characters and makes them all the more realistic. If there's one thing it does an exceptional job of, it's introducing us to the primary characters that will be starring in this five part quest, and giving them plenty of attention. Though Jesse may be an 'unlikely hero' that we've seen in so many stories before, the sensation of watching him mature over time is still satisfying and positive. Friends become foes, and vice versa, and there are a plenty of open ended questions being left open for an answer in a later episode. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and the story closes the curtains at a nice break in the action and sets up the next episode quite well.
The animation quality is surprisingly top notch, too; one wouldn't think that so many facial expressions could be coaxed from such a blocky visage, but the variety is really quite pleasant. Unfortunately, the game doesn't always hold a steady framerate, and while it generally just dips when a story branch is reached, it still is enough to occasionally pull one out of the experience. It's like the equivalent of a video buffering - usually not enough to ruin the content, but just enough to be irritating.
Conclusion
All told, Minecraft: Story Mode is a wild ride from start to finish, telling a riveting tale filled with plot twists and interesting characters. That being said, not everyone will be impressed with the fact that it's essentially an interactive movie. If you're the type of gamer who skips cutscenes and prefers satisfying gameplay, steer clear and look elsewhere for your gaming fix. If you're the type of gamer who appreciates listening to a good story (and don't mind stumping up the cash to hear the whole thing), then we would highly recommend this. Minecraft: Story Mode does an excellent job of breathing life into the somewhat anonymous world of Minecraft; this is one tale you'll want to hear.
Comments 35
Looks interesting but I will probably wait for it to go on sale on Steam.
How much did they pay you? Were we even playing the same game?
???
I am extremely surprised to see this got that much praise when what I've seen of it looks like the blandest "story"-driven game I've ever seen.
Tell Tale games are really good and very fun.
I think I'm done with the reviews on this site.
Will wait for the complete box version... that is still coming out, right?
I'll probably skip this. I wish telltale games would make a series 'based on' The Wire.
I liked it; man people I this site are too darn picky and whiney. I'm done with Nintendo fans. Wah, wah, wah.
I like telltale games and their overall story telling but I'm not impressed by "episodic" games so I'll just skip it myself.
@Stu13 everyone has opinions
@Zach777 The comments sections definitely have had the air of an overly negative echo chamber lately. It bums me out and makes me almost not want to bother to scroll down.....
On a more serious note, knowing that Patton Oswalt voices the main character is almost enough for me to buy this alone. I'm still on the fence, but we'll see. I may be persuaded at some point, now that I finally get to enjoy Minecraft on my Wii U, I may decide to dig in a little deeper and expand my experiences with the world.
I've seen my kids playing this and I quite enjoyed it. Looks to me to be no less then a 7 and it's more my play style then Minecraft is.
Having played this on PS4 I have quite enjoyed it. Patton Oswalt and the other voice actors do an amazing job. The first episode has been probably my favorite so far, and truth be told I have yet to play Episode 4. Episode 2 can be short on content, but only because there are differing paths and so a second or third playthrough allows you to see this extra content. But I agree with the synopsis given that if you don't mind basically a (good) interactive movie this game won't disappoint.
@Zach777 Based off what I've seen, Telltale games are love it/hate it experiences. If you go into it expecting a 'game', you'll be disappointed. But, if you go in expecting something closer to a movie or TV show, it is very satisfying.
@MitchVogel
True enough, I suppose. Maybe the 'Story' in the title wasn't a dead give away enough, or the makers of the game being called Tell Tale. Seems like a few obvious things there would help but in this uneducated day and age perhaps not?
At any rate, it was great for what it was and I am looking forward to the rest of the chapters. I always enjoy a good story
@Zach777 Tell me about it.It's always negative in the comment sections.Usually in the Nintendo download sections they don't wan't new games,only old ones.Are their any other regularly updated Nintendo news sites like Nintendo Life?Not counting Mynintendonews all of the others seem very slow to put up articles.
@Moon your right. Anyone who likes something you don't is being paid off.
@Stu13 "Somebody has a different opinions? !" Be done lol no one cares.
I've played all the tell tale games and yeah this game is my as good for us more "mature" players I'm 16, don't play Minecraft and I enjoyed this game in a certain sense. I recently played tales from the borderlands which is my favourite Telltale series ever and that was amazing. This on the other hand, If I was a kid who played Minecraft I'd adore this game, however as someone who isn't a kid and doesn't play Minecraft it's good. Not amazing basicish story which is saved by the voice acting but it's Telltale so you're in for quality however his series feels ushed with 4 episodes already being out in 2 months iysr kinda crazy for Telltale standards! Anyway if you like Telltale games you'll like this even if it's more basic than others
I'm disappointed the tag line isn't "Top Notch"
Guys, the whole point of it is to tell a story - and it does a very good job at that.
@Zach777 People can have their opinions, dude.
I like the game (I've only played Episode 1, though) but I totally understand why people don't. It is by no means a terrifically written story. It's just a fun game based on minecraft.
@Plainsville Yeah but that's all anyway had any business expecting it to be. If you like Minecraft and Telltale Games/story based games it's impossible not to like this. If you don't like one or both of those and bought it, well that's your fault. (Not aiming this at you obviously).
@nf_2 Nintendo Life: The Review Game does not have "Top Notch"
PRE-ORDER CANCELLED
Nice review tho. might try the game somepoint
I saw some gameplay. To me it looked like a huge package of quicktime events. I'm sorry, but if I want to watch a Minecraft movie, I'll look up some fan-made animations on YouTube. I really don't mind quicktime events, and I really don't mind good storylines and long cutscenes. Bayonetta is one of my favourite games, and it's filled with both. However, I don't want quicktime events and some branching paths to be the entire game. Sorry, it may be good for some, but it's not for me.
@Poketendo well that's what all of the tell tale games are. They are interactive story's.
tbh looks pretty good but saving up money for pokken, star fox, yooka laylee, and zelda soo nah
@boopidy ...Those are all coming out MONTHS from now.
I was looking to get this --but I wanted to get the Season's Pass (to save on all five episodes). However, I could not find how to order it from the eShop. Am I missing something or do you buy it — "in game"?
Got the first 4 episodes on Android, waiting for the 5th.
Simply amazing! I love it so much, can't recommend it enough.
One of the best experiences I've had with gaming/multimedia whatever this game classifies as, because it's not really a game I feel, but rather like an interactive movie.
Either way, do yourselves a favor and don't pass this one up. At least try the first episode to see if its for you. I had never played a game like this before, I am already looking for the genre and trying to find more.
I am also really interested in Minecraft itself now and will buy me a copy of that too since this game really made me fall in love with that world.
From the sounds of it I'd much rather just invest in the Wii U edition of Minecraft.
@Spyke : Its Mortal Kombat 1995 movie over again.
Basically nothing to base the story on, and yet Mortal Kombat became maybe the most successful Game to movie conversion ever.
@Ventilator Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't there an official comic based on the games that detailed the story? I mean yeah the game itself doesn't give that much in the way of story but that's still more than what Minecraft has.
@Spyke : Yes, you are probably right. I have never heard of, but it can still exist of course.
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