Whether your first impression of Minecraft Story Mode during the mid-2010s was made through youtuber playthroughs, a copy of the game to play on your own, or maybe even Netflix’s player-interactive adaptation of the first half of season one, most of our generation is familiar with this character.
It didn’t matter whether you were adamant on playing as male Jesse or female Jesse—both groups can come together to agree over the incredible storytelling Telltale Games presented. Especially given that it was meant to add a more in-depth, though not canon, story to a sandbox-based game at the time it was released.
To make a long story (mode) short for two seasons for the entirety of the game:
Season One – Eight Episodes
The plot of the first season is made up of two different arcs. Episodes 1-4 focus on the introduction of our characters and how they grow into the heroes they’re seen as by the end of the game.
Jesse, their friend group, and their pig Reuben, unintentionally cause a “Wither Storm” wreaking havoc in the realm, pushing them to reunite the “Order of the Stone.” Both groups come to work together as it becomes evident that the original order were actively lying about their final encounter with Minecraft’s in-game final boss, the Ender Dragon. This leaves it up to Jesse and their friends to save the world instead, becoming the “New Order of the Stone.”
Episodes 5-8 focus on another plot, the newly found and now confident heroes on their next adventure.
After saving the realm, Jesse and a smaller version of the friend group eventually find themselves lost in a series of portals that are singled out for each episode after the fourth one. The season ends on an implied note that they went back into the portal system to explore more realms outside of the ones they already visited.
Season Two – Five Episodes
All five episodes focus on the same plot, introducing our old heroes again, new allies and villains, and an expansion of their world.
Jesse and their friends are pushed into another adventure, forced to wear a powerful gauntlet that won’t come off. They soon find out the real reason Jesse couldn’t take it off, as they were chosen by the “Admin” to become his next champion. When Jesse gives up the challenge to save their friends instead, whoever the player chooses wins the challenge instead, becoming the next champion. Jesse and their friends are then sent to a prison “below the bedrock,” forced to find a way out.
On the surface, the Admin has taken Jesse’s place, causing mayhem and chaos as their new mayor. Jesse and their friends meet familiar faces, new friends, and who the Admin really is. When they do make it back, Jesse takes their place again, stopping the dictator and saving their world once more.
Despite the overwhelming amount of appreciation for the game, especially after the release of Minecraft: The Movie, there hadn’t and most likely won’t be a statement for a season three in this lifetime. Telltale Games had gone through a brief bankruptcy in 2018, causing them to lose the licensing to continue the series as it was.
Besides no longer having the ability nor interest to reestablish licensing for it, the digital selling for the game ceased, besides the physical copies for the game on EBay or game stores reselling used versions.
Similar to any game with any relevance at some point on the internet, people over the years have critiqued the series time and time again. Most arguments are legitimately reasonable as most complain over excessive scenes over actual gameplay, illusion of choice endings, and awkward dialogue.
However, the argument that Minecraft Story Mode focuses too much on its narratives rather than its gameplay from its excessive scenes fall apart when you look at Telltale Games’ other series…which also heavily focus on storytelling elements rather than gameplay. As much as we would have loved to have more interactive battles or mechanics, it’s the moments that build the story of the game as well.
The whole “illusion of choice” is probably the most factual critique against the game. Besides only affecting the relationships you have with others or the death of some, which instantly becomes irrelevant after a handful of scenes and or episodes, the game reaches the same conclusion no matter what decision you make.
While the second season did a better job than the first with making your choices permanent and more effective throughout the game, the ending is always the same with Jesse becoming victorious.
There isn’t too much to add onto the belief that they had awkward dialogue from time to time, since it’s almost every other scene depending on which phrase you decide to say when the opportunity comes.
Though, to lighten the dampened mood, we thought it would be appropriate to take a stroll through memory lane with a brief forecast into the future of the community.
Tracks from the Game
Box Art
Featured YouTubers 
As for the future of the game, the community had already started its own fan-remake during the past year. It’s nowhere near done as this has been the only legitimate source this is happening.
Despite multiple reposted clips on YouTube Shorts of the creator’s Patreon-exclusive content, it’s uncertain when it’s going to be done, besides confirmation for some point during this year. Though, each clip shows that
it has its own unique voice actors and scenes. It would make most sense for some kind of confirmation to come along during this month as the series becomes 10 years old on the 13th of this month.
Despite all the hate and backlash the game has gotten over the years, there is still a lot of well deserved love and support as well. Taking the least story oriented game imaginable, Telltale does a great job of creating a fun and interesting story while remaining true to the original source. We wish Minecraft Story Mode a happy 10 years, and hope the game will continue to be loved and remembered as the years pass.