Telltale games, founded in 2004, has become a household name in
the world of episodic video games. Though there were games before, it wasn't
until releasing three amazing games back to back to back that the independent
developer and publisher was given the respect it now commands. These titles
are, of course, "The Walking Dead: Season One," "The Wolf Among
Us," and "The Walking Dead: Season Two." But what most people
forget is that they were also the geniuses behind "Sam and Max" and "Strong Bad's Cool Game for
Attractive People."
On Oct. 13, Telltale Games launched "Minecraft Story Mode Episode 1: The Order of the Stone." In my review, I said that for what I was expecting, the game was lacking in both mining and crafting. The first episode did a good job of introducing both the heroes and villains of the story, a fact that I thought would redeem the weak gameplay.
But did it? Short answer: no.
Here's what I thought of "Minecraft Story Mode Episode 2: Some Assembly."
Even less crafting than in Episode 1 is a serious problem. One of my biggest concerns with playing a game inspired by "Minecraft" is how that game could capture the creativity that players put into their creations. In Episode 2, one structure is built: a "griefing tower." Players choose from wood, stone, or pink wool to build a generic-looking tower from which to launch TNT. The tower doesn't resemble anything and overall is unimpressive. At least in Episode 1, we could build a zombie tower.
Where are the crafting mechanics? In Episode 1, we were given the chance to use the crafting table to make a stone sword and some arrows. In Episode 2, there is a total lack of crafting.
Mining? No, none. So far, Episode 2 is unsuccessful in delivering mining, crafting, and lacking again in building.
Even the story was bland in the second episode. There weren't any huge revelations or cliffhanger to keep me hooked. Maybe the bigger moments would have seemed more interesting if it the voice acting was better. Patton Oswalt is the only one that delivers.
I'm going to give "Minecraft Story Mode" one more chance. If Telltale Games doesn't step up their game, they are likely to see a drop in sales on Episode 4.
