Minecraft: Story Mode Episode Five - Order Up!

By: Robert Murphy

The biggest question on my mind when entering into the latest episode of Story Mode was where could the tale possibly go to with Jesse and his friends? The last episode brought the Whither Storm saga to a close and the new Order of the Stone had come out on top and were ready to take on a whole new adventure. This is precisely what "Order Up!" sets out to do as our heroes head forth into an unknown land in search of a legendary item with immense power. But, they may all be sent further down the rabbit hole than they initially had planned.

Jesse and his friends have grown up immensely since their initial debut back in October of last year. They have all since become mirror images of their idols the former members of the Order of the Stone and it rather suits them. The people of the world look at them as if they were great heroes and they have proved it to them time and again by not only beating the Whither Storm but also going on countless adventures since then in search of mythical items that the world has only dreamed about. However, not everyone is as enthused with our new heroes as we soon learn. The former members of the Awesome Ocelots, who now refer to themselves as the Blaze Rods, have become envious of the groups fame and feel they are stealing all of the best items for themselves. Thus they set out to challenge our heroes and claim their latest find for themselves, a flint and steel with some mysterious powers. 

The discovery of this item is what sets the story in motion as a lost order that was even more impressive than the Order of the Stone is revealed. They had done many experiments with portals and thus the flint and steel comes into play by transporting everyone to a strange city in the sky. The idea of which plays wonderfully with those familiar with Minecraft's randomly generated worlds and how often times chunks of land can form that simply float on air. It's usually simple enough to get to though or look upon them and admire the ridiculousness of it but what happens when that's all there is? What is Minecraft world where you cannot destroy everything around you and build it into whatever you wish? Well, Jesse and his friends are about to find out.

An interesting stand alone idea comes from the story this time around as the people of the land have never been given the chance to build for themselves. They lack the simplest knowledge of building and even things like ladders are a mystery to them as to how you would create them. Naturally the hero worship for Jesse and his friends becomes even stronger here do to their abilities but this is a double edged sword that gets them into serious trouble here as building without permission is expressly forbidden. It's an interesting dynamic to be sure as there are characters presented on both sides, those who want to freely build and the followers of the Founder of the land. Neither are necessarily bad or good as you will find out but there in lies an issue for the choices presented.

The choices for Story Mode have never been all that grueling to begin with, there have been many interesting combat points and fun little nods to the audience but here the choices feel rather bland. I had almost forgotten that the game was a choose your own style game until almost the very end of this episode. The dialogue wasn't at all bad and in fact it felt as though the freedom of an independent story made things feel looser for the writers. But, by the end their is a relatively simple choice to go with as you can simple wrap everything up with a few kind words. It's rather story book and for a game geared more towards younger audiences I can see the appeal, it just doesn't wow you. 

By the end however, I was satisfied with where the adventure has gone with this latest entry into Story Mode. I know that after the last episode I questioned what exactly was the end game for Telltales' Story Mode, but with the series renewed for four more episodes following "Order Up!" and an enticing finale to leave everyone off with, I feel that even better episodes are just around the corner. 

Good:

- The writing feels lose, fun and free

- Solid stand alone tale that sets up for so much more down the road

- A beautifully crafted world that once again makes great use of Minecraft lore 

Bad:

- The "tough" choices were lack luster

- No true semblance of conflict to be had here

Scully Rating: 7.0 out of 10

Game of Thrones: Episode 5 - A Nest of Vipers

By: Robert Murphy

Victory is all too sweet a thing for one to have in the world of Game of Thrones. As soon as I began to feel confident in the previous episode I knew that I was bound for some sort of fall in the next, especially where things were left off for House Forrester. Do not get me wrong though I would do it all over again and relish the sweet taste of minor victories even knowing what happens in “A Nest of Vipers.” Nonetheless, the struggles faced in this latest chapter will prove to test you in a number of ways as all the best plans for the Forrester’s feel less and less certain. It will however prove to make the final chapter for the series one that I will not want to miss out on playing.

The story picks things right back up where they left it off as you square off with Ramsay Snow as he revisits Ironrath when word of what you have been up to reaches his ear. There is plenty of his trademark brutality spread throughout this opening scene and it sets the stage for all the other difficult moments yet to come for the rest of the chapter. What did make Rodrik’s decisions lack luster during your interaction with Ramsay was the fact that you knew no good would come off it. It’s the issue you get with adding characters from the show and putting them against fictional characters that never actually did anything to any of the people we know (and hate) from the show. So all the prompts for dialogue that would lead me to making threats towards Ramsay were frankly disappointing and would make you feel rather empty after even attempting to use them. What’s worse is a small but significant choice you make between the two of you that you just knew would go nowhere as soon as it happens but you suffer through anyways. It’s a very Game of Thrones thing to do.

That being said, not everything was disappointing for Rodrik in this latest chapter. Not only does he rekindle a flame that I thought would never be lit again he also discovers the identity of the traitor that is reporting to the Whitehills on every move they make. It’s a crucial moment in the story as you can potentially end up betraying the trust of some of the people around you by administering justice upon this traitor but it also serves as a triumph for Rodrick who once again stands tall against his enemies. This comes none to soon considering the battles ready to come in the final chapter.

Mira’s part of the story once again feels rather shorter than many of the previous episodes but it is still a difficult one to say the least. Once again you are caught in Cersei’s line of sight and as we all know she does not let up easily. The dialogue between you two is perhaps the most sweat inducing moments I have experience throughout the entire series and that is saying something. Squaring off against her is no easy feat despite how easy Tyrion makes it look half the time but whatever the case you’re tasked with getting information from her brother about his upcoming trial. Tyrion is once again a delight to see and his part in the story is so easy going despite the circumstance and Peter Dinklage hits it out of the park with some spot on voice work.

As for things north of The Wall, nothing too exciting takes place for Gared and his team of deserters as they try to make it to the North Grove. There is some enjoyable action here and the big baddies that I wanted to see in the previous chapter have finally made their appearance. As for everything else, the dialogue was a bit bland as you try to figure out what to do about Cotter’s injuries and the fact his sister seems unwilling to go further north. There was also a particularly annoying hunting aspect to his story as you attempt to use a bow with barely enough of a prompt to allow for any accuracy but hey, who needs food in a snowy wasteland?

Far across the sea, things in Meereen lead you to a promising future. Daenery’s pulls a bit of a 180 on you as the events during the sacking of the city are revealed to her but nothing some more relationship ruining with Beshka couldn’t solve and despite everything you must find the fighters on your own. You are however given enough gold to pay for some fighters and Asher makes his return to Meereen for some good old fashion but kicking. His is a character that continues to shine and he also makes the combat feel quite enjoyable every time I cockily take down whatever is in my way.

What Telltale continues to get right is the fantastic story, just like in the show this second to last episode proves to set the stage for a massive and dramatic finale. The last choice you will make for the episode is a horribly difficult one and it something that George R.R. Martin would be proud to see I believe. If no other choice has made you feel the need to play the story over again then this one may certainly test you on that resolve. “A Nest of Vipers” is chocked full of more twists and turns as House Forrester gets ready for what may be their final hours.

Good:

- Some critical choice that will lead to a great ending

- Mira’s story and her interaction with Cersei and Tyrion

- The final choice at the end of the chapter

Bad:

- Ramsay Snow was far too untouchable

- Gared’s story goes nowhere slowly

Scully Rating: 7.5 out of 10