Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 7 - Access Denied
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Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 7 - Access Denied Media
Critic Reviews for Minecraft: Story Mode - Episode 7 - Access Denied
Though the gameplay is familiar and the decision-making is still lacking, Episode 7 delivers one of the strongest stories yet
As someone who was not impressed with Minecraft: Story Mode's premiere episode The Order of the Stone, over time I have grown to find the characters and their situations quite engaging. This "extended season" has delivered some of the best episodes.... until that is, Access Denied. From not really doing much with with the Borg vibe to not giving the interesting Harper enough to do, it is only in the last few moments that I had my faith renewed. Though episode 7 isn't exactly skippable, the drive to complete it even in an hour or so can feel unfulfilling. As I said, for completionists only.
This episode is a step up from the previous one, starting up the halfway point of the Adventure Pass on a much higher note, but it falls short in longevity, proving that a character can be developed and well liked if focused on and given more tie as opposed to adding several characters that don’t necessarily add to the story.
Access Denied is a better episode than the last, helping to refocus on the Order of the Stone's adventures, but the standalone nature of the stories are really exposing the weaknesses of the Telltale model.
With one more episode in the Adventure Pass to go, “Access Denied” marks another solid entry for Minecraft: Story Mode. While there’s not much of an indication of where the story will head off next, hopefully the events of Episode 7 will allow Minecraft: Story Mode to build towards a satisfying, thrilling finale.
Access Denied renews the focus on the Order of the Stone’s adventure and adds a couple of interesting new characters into the mix for this sci-fi-tinged episode. Unfortunately, it’s brief and more of a series of good moments peppered into a rather pedestrian plot than the upturn in form that was needed to kickstart this mini-series
Access Denied boasts some good writing and setpieces, with its only true crime being that it generally feels like familiar and somewhat shallow territory for Minecraft: Story Mode.
Although still intended for kids, the plot is more satisfying for all ages.
