Telltale Games took a massive leap with attempting to adapt the massively popular game Minecraft to the RPG genre. The verdict is out on how the first episode held up.

Minecraft: Story Mode puts players into the shoes of one of two main characters with a cast of party members to assist them on their journey. Instead of the conventional style of gameplay where players have access to a full world to roam, this game takes those same elements and confines them into a linear story with a powerful focus on narrative.

Gamespot

Gamespot wasn't unimpressed with the first entry in the game's series, but required a bit more in able to become convinced. Despite the game claiming to be an RPG, they saw little effort in the actual narrative.

"It's that flavor that helps propel this first episode of Minecraft: Story Mode along, even when the story itself only begins to hint at the scope of the adventure ahead. It's a pleasant start, packed with individual events but featuring little in the way of narrative propulsion. When I reached the end of this episode, I wanted more. I'm hoping that, like most outstanding Minecraft creations, Minecraft: Story Mode just needs a little more time to build."

IGN

IGN felt Story Mode did well to engage fans of the franchise, but could have done more for players not as informed. Otherwise they were impressed with the game's capacity to keep those engaged in the whimsical style of storytelling.

"Minecraft: Story Mode is a pleasant, family-friendly adventure that very quickly won me over and kept me invested in its twists and turns. The drama might not be as heightened as something like The Walking Dead, but I still found myself surprisingly invested in the choices I had to make about my companions, undeveloped as they may be, and smiling at the Minecrafty in-jokes. Sparse interactivity and a lack of commitment to explaining this world and its inhabitants hold Episode 1 back, but I'm still absorbed in my story, and eager to find out what happens next."

Destructoid

Destructoid suggest that the game is a decent first effort, but it's not yet on par with Telltale Games other titles. Games such as "The Walking Dead" series have left a lot for Minecraft: Story Mode to compete with.

"There is some hope for this series to be great in the future, but The Order of the Stone is just okay. The Minecraft-specific gameplay is a nice way to shake up the usual formula. The blank slate of the universe allows the tale to go wherever it wants. The voice cast is full of actors who can do great work. But the writing needs to be more engaging if Story Mode wants to be taken seriously among Telltale canon."

Game Informer

Game Informer believes there is something for both Minecraft fans and Telltale Games to enjoy. Minecraft: Story Mode not only presents players with a enticing RPG, but an oddly familiar experience.

"Minecraft fans should enjoy the references to the game, while Telltale fans will enjoy the traditional storytelling elements they've come to expect from the studio. The Order of the Stone grabs your attention at a number of points and sets you down the path of actually caring about what's going on in a story set in the player-driven Minecraft universe."