Notes

'Minecraft' with a Story isn't as Bizarre as you Imagine.

A game that is based on stories about Minecraft the block-building phenomenon that is loved by both adults and children alike, could sound little contradictory. By design, Minecraft has little in the way of plots or characters. The world is created randomly, and the best "stories" occur naturally depending on what you decide to create and explore. Its open nature is what makes Minecraft so unique. This is the reason Minecraft: Story Mode has been met with so much doubt. Minecraft is a game that doesn't have any story. Does it make sense or even appropriate for a different developer to create one?



Telltale Games is most well-known for its adventure games based on adaptations of popular franchises such as Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and Fables. In contrast to Minecraft, these properties come with established mythology, characters, and stories that the team can work with. Telltale utilizes its own game engine and comic book art style to create five episodes. The episodes are divided into cutscenes and branching conversations. Sometimes, you'll have the chance to walk through an environment, but there's not much in the way of exploration or creativity. You want freeform building and crafting, like that found in Minecraft? You should look elsewhere.



Despite the vast differences, Minecraft: Story Mode is a success. It's a charming celebration for the game that made Markus Persson a billionaire. The narrative 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 role of Jesse and, unlike other Telltale games you can choose between a boy and a girl, and three races. It's a nice feature and instantly gave me a 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 a small group of friends you set out to win a building tournament at a Minecon-style convention called Endercon.



You won't find any reference to Jesse's treehouse, or her pet pig Reuben or the Endercon competition in the original Minecraft game. This could have been a problem but Telltale quickly gained my trust in many ways. Story Mode is not the most compelling storyline for Minecraft. It's a fresh approach to the blocky franchise, and is set in a different Minecraft world. This allows the writers to experiment while still protecting the original material. Story Mode includes many elements that are familiar to players of the original game. Portals, beacons, and creepers all appear in episode one, and are easily identifiable. Telltale's new ideas like a vibrant amulet that can be used to find important characters, aren't out of fit in the Minecraft universe. Story Mode respects the original game's mechanics and items however, it doesn't abuse the same.



Although the pace of the game is slow at first but when the Endercon building contest ends, the plot picks up significantly. In the beginning, Telltale introduces the heroes known as the Order of the Stone, who once defeated the Ender Dragon and subsequently became a legend. The members are responsible for the current peril that is threatening the world. Telltale opens up a few of the most significant mysteries for the five-part season. While it's not the best however, I'm still enthralled enough to binge watch the remaining episodes.



Story Mode is designed to be family-friendly. There are some limitations to the writing process and Telltale's ability to utilize its fun characters. Fables (The Wolf Among Us) and The Walking Dead have provided more opportunities for the team to develop dark and unpredictable characters with devious strategies. These properties trigger more intense reactions from the player, making more difficult decisions and more complicated relationships with the characters you pick. Story Mode's cast is likable however Jesse's friend Axel who is self-centered and impulsive. I spent the majority of my game trying to make friends with the best of them.



However, the characters are distinctive and have quirky, energetic personalities. It is easier to predict the outcome of each dialogue because they all have clear motivations. Previous Telltale games have been plagued by occasionally stiff scripts and inconsistent pacing -- an inevitability maybe, due to the fact that they have branching stories -- however, they've always made me care about the characters. This is the same in Story Mode, which is an indication of the quality of the writing. Jesse's friends might be a little shallow, but they're also easy to identify with. I really want my "Nether Maniacs" (early on you can pick your team's name for the building competition) to be able to remain together, which is why I'm curious to see how the show tries to pull them apart in the later episodes.
MINECRAFT SERVERS


Even if you have never played Minecraft before there are many things to do in the Story Mode's first Chapter. It's a charming, if simple tale that features interesting characters and a few memorable pieces of set. In terms of game design, it couldn't be further from Minecraft, but somehow Telltale has come up with a way to make it work. This is due to the excellence of the script, and the clever use of classic items such as monsters, items, and gameplay mechanics. Story Mode uses Minecraft's entire toolbox to help tell its story. It works well. The game could have been a sloppy and awkward cash-in, however instead it's a thoughtful and respectful spin-off which celebrates Minecraft's unique brand of imagination.


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