Telltale really does have some bangers. Telltale’s Game of Thrones was cancelled a little too prematurely for it to be a fantastic game, but that shouldn’t stop people from playing what is yet another underrated Telltale title.
Essentially, this game is the video game version of the HBO series Rome.
In what is another awesome Telltale game I recently picked up, Telltale’s Game of Thrones is one of the most interesting, unique, and dynamic games set in a traditional fantasy setting that shines in both it’s character work and further supporting the narrative and worldbuilding of the original source material. And that’s in spite of it being prematurely cancelled after just a single season.
Alright, I don’t want to get too detailed with the plot, characters, setting, etc. as this game is nearly 10-years old, most people have already played the game, and the likelihood of any resolution to the main story seems farfetched, but I just have to get my thoughts out in the ether of the internet regarding this game: Telltale’s Game of Thrones is a masterpiece in the episodic game genre.
Yes, I’ve seen the usual complaints about this game as it does have a rather inconsequential decision system (you get the same ending regardless of which characters and decisions you choose), but that’s not what made me fall in love with this game in the 1-2 days (I went at a leisurely pace, obviously) it took me to complete all six episodes. No, what makes this game so great is the compelling story created through the intricate, complex character growth.
(Image Creator: Telltale/Image Source: GameSpot-Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series-Final Trailer)
Similarly to HBO’s prematurely cancelled Rome, the character work defines the project as Telltale’s Game of Thrones focuses on House Forrester of Ironrath, a loyal bannerman to House Stark of the North, and how the numerous family members deal with the aftermath of the Red Wedding (which caused the death of the reigning lord) and their archrivals, the Whitehills of Highpoint, trying to take control of their land.
Whether you’re in the shoes of Mira Forrester, a handmaiden to Queen Margary Tyrell trying to secure her family’s future by using the weeds of politics only found in King’s Landing, Asher Forrester, a disinherited, sellsword son trying to build a sellsword army to retake his home from the intruding Whitehills from the mercenaries flocking to Daenerys Targaryen’s side, Rodrick Forrester the 1st born son and lord of Ironrath attempting to ward off Ramsey Bolton and the Whitehills as a survivor of the Red Wedding, or Garrett Tuttle, the son of the Ironrath steward escaping the wrath of the Boltons for escaping the Red Wedding, you’re going to get a well-thought, unique, and interesting story in the Game of Thrones universe.
Personally, I think Asher’s story is the best as it has very similar tones to Daenerys’ own story in the main show and novels (and she is one of my favorite GOT characters), but it presents some new, unique story tropes that Daenerys’ story could never touch upon. Plus, who doesn’t love playing as an uncaring, lawless, glory-hungry sellsword with the backdrop of a classic Northern heritage?
But Rodrick’s story is a really close runner up, along with Mira’s. So, in other words, I really like all the characters in this game.
(Image Creator: Telltale/Image Source: GameSpot-Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series-Final Trailer)
I don’t want to get too involved in the story details for the lone person who hasn’t yet played the game (such as myself a few days ago), but I couldn’t recommend this game enough for that lone person.
Again, the game does have a few issues, such as the lack of meaningful choices, poor graphic quality (it’s not great by even Telltale standards), and the wonky combat control system, yet that shouldn’t take away from the story and the characters. And, with Telltale games, that’s the main selling point.
Telltale’s Game of Thrones gets an 8.5/10 from me.
Images Source: Featured Image: (Image Creator: Telltale/Image Source: GameSpot) (Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series – Season Finale Trailer – YouTube)
In Text Image 1: (Image Creator: Telltale/Image Source: GameSpot) (Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series – Season Finale Trailer – YouTube)
In Text Image 2: (Image Creator: Telltale/Image Creator: GameSpot) (Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series – Season Finale Trailer – YouTube)
