Notes

'Minecraft' with a Story isn't as Weird as you'd Think

A narrative-driven game like Minecraft the block-building phenomenon that is loved by children and adults alike, may sound tad contradictory. Minecraft is an open-world game that doesn't have a plot or characters. The world is randomly generated and the best stories are created based on the things you build and explore. Its open nature is what makes Minecraft unique. This is the reason Minecraft: Story Mode has been met with so much doubt. Minecraft is a game that doesn't have a story. Is it possible or even appropriate for a different developer to make one?



Telltale Games is most well-known for its adventure games that are adapted of popular franchises like Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead and Fables. These properties in contrast to Minecraft are based on established stories, characters, and mythology that the team can collaborate with. Utilizing its own game engine as well as a comic book-style art style, Telltale typically offers a game "season" comprising five episodes. These are divided into cutscenes, branching conversations, quick-time events and puzzles. There are times when you're able to explore an environment. But, there's little exploration or imagination. You would like freeform crafting and freeform building, like that found in Minecraft? You'd better look elsewhere.



Minecraft: Story Mode works despite these massive differences. It's a charming celebration for the game that made Markus Persson a billionaire. The story and characters feel like they belong in the world despite not being mentioned in the original game. In the first episode, you take on the character of Jesse and, unlike other Telltale games, you can pick between a boy or a girl, as well as one of three different races. It's a nice addition and immediately gave me some feeling of connection to the character, voiced by either Patton Oswalt (best known for his roles in Ratatouille and The King of Queens) or Catherine Taber (you might recognize her voice from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Final Fantasy XII or Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker). With an intimate group of friends you are determined to win a building tournament at a Minecon-style gathering known as Endercon.



There's no mention to Jesse's treehouse or her pet pig Reuben or the Endercon competition in the original Minecraft game. This could be a problem, but Telltale quickly gained my trust in many ways. First, Story Mode doesn't claim to be the ultimate storyline for Minecraft. It's a different take on the blocky franchise, and is set in a different Minecraft world. This allows the creators to explore, while safeguarding the original material. Story Mode includes many elements that are familiar to those who played of the original game. Portals, beacons, and creepers all appear in episode one, and are easy to recognize. Telltale's new concepts like a vibrant amulet that could be used to find important characters, don't look out of place in the Minecraft universe. Story Mode respects the original game's mechanics and items, but does not abuse the same.



Although the pace of the game is slow at first however, once the Endercon building contest has ended the story picks up considerably. Telltale introduces the Order of the Stone, the heroes of the Order of the Stone who once defeated the Ender Dragon, but then faded into legend. The threat that the world currently faces is linked to the members of the Order, and it's here the developer sets up some of the larger mysteries for the five-part series. While it's not the best, I'm still intrigued enough to continue watching the remaining episodes.



Story Mode is intended to be a family-friendly experience, but there are some restrictions on the writing and where Telltale can use its cheerful characters. Fables (The Wolf Among Us) and The Walking Dead have provided more opportunities for the team to create characters that are dark and unpredictable with a shady plan. Fun gallery These properties trigger stronger reactions from the player, more difficult choices and more complex relationships with the characters you select. Story Mode's cast is relatable with the exception of Jesse's friend Axel who is known to be impulsive. I spent the majority of my time trying to make friends with them.



Despite this the characters are distinct and possess quirky personality traits that make them lively. They all have clearly defined motives and desires, which makes it easier to anticipate the outcome of each dialogue decision. While Telltale's previous games had a few issues with inconsistent pace and stiff scripts, they have always made me care about the characters. Story Mode is no different, which is a testament of the quality of the writing. While Jesse's friends may be a bit shallow, they're easy to be a fan of. I'd like my "Nether Meniacs", (early on you are able to pick the team name for the building contest) to make it through and remain together. I'm interested to see how the game attempts to break them up in later episodes.



Even if you have never played Minecraft before, there are plenty of things to appreciate in the Story Mode's first Chapter. It's a delightful tale that features simple characters and a few memorable set pieces. It could not be further from Minecraft in terms of game design but Telltale has succeeded in making it work. This is due to the quality of the writing, as well as the clever integration of classic items such as monsters, items, and gameplay mechanics. Story Mode raids everything in Minecraft's toolbox to aid in its own narrative, and ultimately it works to great effect. The game could have been a sloppy and awkward cash-in, but instead, it's a clever and respectful spin-off that celebrates Minecraft's unique brand of creativity.


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