Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series

Game of Thrones is known for its gritty, realistic portrayal of violence, sex, and political intrigue. The show's production values are top-notch, with elaborate sets, costumes, and special effects that transport viewers to the world of Westeros.

The first few seasons of the show were highly praised for their tight pacing, strong character development, and unexpected plot twists. However, some fans and critics felt that the later seasons suffered from rushed storytelling and a lack of attention to detail, leading to a controversial ending that divided the show's audience.

Overall, Game of Thrones is a groundbreaking television series that pushed the boundaries of what was possible in terms of scale, complexity, and visual storytelling. While its ending may have disappointed some fans, it remains a cultural phenomenon that will continue to be discussed and analyzed for years to come.

So, I've never watched, nor read, Game of Thrones before. I've been meaning to and meaning to but I just can't seem to find the time to sit down and watch it, preferring to watch shows I'm familiar with, so I decided to download the free episode of the Telltale game when I spotted it when going through the Xbox Store.

Now, I love Telltale.

I downloaded their The Walking Dead games and The Wolf Among Us and almost instantly fell in love with the game play, the easy achievements, the way that it educates you on the subject of the game; (I'm a The Walking Dead fan, and the game showed me a lot about the universe that I didn't know before). I love the way you play; how it's like an interactive television show, in a way, I suppose, and that it lets you interact through the game without just mindlessly stabbing people or shooting them, or rage quitting when you can't beat that one damn boss.

It was honestly one of the best decisions of my gaming life.

The story was easy to follow even when you were jumping characters around (in the first chapter, without giving any spoilers – you play as Garad, Ethan and Mira). The characters look almost exactly like the actors who play them, which is great for people that have only seen adverts or one or two episodes - the actors even voice their own characters which I think is a wonderful thing.

The universe around you is fun to explore; in my opinion, it's well detailed; of course, I don't really know the universe the show and books are set in, having never seen nor read them. I understood the characters, who they were and who they were connected to. I did have some slight confusion when it came to Cersei discussing her family, but all was fixed with a quick character Google.

A solid 4.5/5 – the only issue I've found, is that sometimes it lags, so they'll be four lines ahead of what is being said, but they're still frozen on the guy that said something two minutes ago, however, that might be my Xbox, not the game itself.

I definitely recommend this game – especially if you're an achievement hunter because, honestly, to get all the achievements, all you have to do is play the game (that's another reason that I love Telltale's games).

Sure, it's a bit pricey, and I'm going to have to kiss goodbye to my paychecks after Christmas so I can buy season passes for all their games, but you can get the first chapter of the game for free and I highly recommend it, whether you are a fan of Game of Thrones or not; I definitely will be getting into the seasons and books after I complete the game.

The Telltale series of Game of Thrones primarily deals with house Forrester and their squire Gared Tuttle. The main goal as the episodes unfold is to save their house from the Bolton's. The story does branch out to include most of the territories and characters from the critically acclaimed show. What enhances the experience even more is that the actual actors from the show provide their own voices.

The mechanics work like any other Telltale game with quick time events and dialogue choices. Only this time around the choices feel less dire compared to well received player choice games like the Walking Dead. I feel you can really mess up the conversations with little consequence. That makes the game boring when players are not properly punished for their actions.

The graphics are good, but that depends if you like looking at a cell shaded picture which I for one do. The picture looks like you are playing inside a comic book.

If you are a fan of the show then this is something to at least try. The story isn't all that compelling but there are still enjoyable moments that fans would appreciate.

There should be a spoiler warning on the game though, and I don't believe there is one. If you haven't seen the show but plan to, I suggest to watch the first four seasons before giving this game a try. Some of the important events are included in the game.

Telltale Games' spin off of HBO's Game of Thrones series brings the rich, treacherous world of Westeros to life through its signature narrative-driven gameplay. Released in 2014, this episodic game spans six chapters, each immersing players deeper into the political intrigue and brutal conflict that define the series.

The game introduces House Forrester, a noble family from the North, embroiled in the War of the Five Kings. Players control multiple characters from the Forrester family, navigating their unique yet interconnected storylines. The narrative captures the essence of the TV show and George R. R. Martin's novels, with complex characters, morally ambiguous choices, and unexpected twists. Cameo appearances from show characters, voiced by the original actors, add authenticity and depth.

Staying true to Telltale's formula, gameplay revolves around decision-making, dialogue choices, and quick-time events. Each decision can significantly impact the story, making players feel the weight of their choices. While some critics argue that the illusion of choice is sometimes apparent, the emotional engagement and investment in the characters often overshadow this.

The game's art style blends realism with a painterly touch, creating a unique visual experience. While the graphics may not match the high-end visuals of AAA titles, they effectively convey the grim atmosphere of Westeros. The sound design, including the haunting score and voice acting, further immerses players in the Game of Thrones universe.

The story captures the intrigue and drama of the series, with high stakes and emotional depth. Players form strong attachments to the characters, making their choices and fates impactful. Cameos from TV show characters and the faithful recreation of Westeros add to the immersion.

However, the game is not without its' weaknesses. The game occasionally suffers from performance issues, including stuttering and graphical glitches.

Also, some decisions feel less impactful upon replay, revealing the limits of player agency. And lastly, the game ends on a cliffhanger and will probably never get a sequel, which may result in huge dissatisfaction for some players.

Anyway, Telltale Games' Game of Thrones is a must-play for fans of the series and narrative-driven games. It captures the essence of the source material while offering a fresh perspective through the eyes of House Forrester. Despite some technical flaws, the sometimes apparent illusion of choice and lack of ultimate ending, its compelling story and rich character development make it a standout entry in Telltale's catalog.

Only Two episode in, but it's shaping up to be a good series. I often found I didn't have enough time to make decisions as the game is completely depend on the decisions you make.

I really loved the characters and while there were times I wondered why I had to even walk my character to the window when it was my only choice - it seemed fluid and made me feel like I was that character - not just an observer. I would have loved to see more done with this game in terms of strategic decision making.

I've tried various ways only for facing the only one result with very little differences. But still this game is very interesting and has the atmosphere similar to TV-series. And emotionally rich plot of course. They even made their own intro in style of Game of Thrones HBO series. So if you fan of these books or TV-series, you may buy this game. :)

+Original voice actors +Other voice actors do an excellent job as well +Cool visuals +Some difficult choices to be made

• Difficult to follow if you haven't seen the TV series.

Rating - 9/10