Looks great, right? Well, don’t get too used to it.
In just five days Game of Thrones will be released in North America, and already the reviews are pouring in. Many have gotten their hands on a copy already, and, well, you just might want to cancel that pre-order.
In case you don’t know, Game of Thrones is a highly successful TV show based on the series of books (A Song of Ice and Fire) by George R.R. Martin. It takes place in a fictional world where several high powered lords fight for the power of the iron throne to rule the kingdoms. Personally, I am a huge fan of the series in both forms, and hoped to be a fan of the third. Unfortunately, no matter how much it pains me to say it, I’m utterly disappointed.
In one of the most important aspects of the game, the story, Game of Thrones delivers surprisingly well. Game of Thrones follows two main characters, Mors Westford and Alester Sarwyck, one who has taken the Black (a small army that protects the north of the realm and is made up mostly of criminals and bastards), the other a man returning to his family after abandoning them 15 years ago. The stories twist and turns are quite incredible and much more epic than that of the average RPG. Unfortunately, the presentation of this story does not bode so well.
Game of Thrones has the potential to be a landmark RPG through its engaging story and characters, but almost all of them look and sound horrible, along with the rest of the game. The voice acting is laughable, the graphics usually look like they’re compatible with a Nintendo 64, and every once in a while you’ll find yourself having a conversation with a wall. So even though the story was written beautifully, it would take much dedication to get any enjoyment out of it due to the horrible presentation.
However, there is more to this game than just the story, but I wish there wasn’t. A quick look at the game shows a surprisingly deep combat system with a great number of ways to fight you’re opponents, but in reality it feels more like beating someone with a stick. Of course there are some cool magic powers like walking through walls and occasionally floating into the unknown as you defy gravity, but turns out that isn’t supposed to happen.
After seeing all this game has to offer, I felt like this was a quick game made for marketing purposes by a team of about five over the course of a few months, and I was fine with that. Unfortunately, that isn’t quite how it was made. It was made by a full dedicated team over the course of about 7 years. To be honest, other than the story, I have absolutely no idea how it could have taken more than one.
So, will you enjoy you’re experience in Game of Thrones? Unlikely. Perhaps you’ll be able to enjoy the story if you are that starved for more from A Song of Ice and Fire, but for the rest of us it’s probably best to stick to the books and the show. For anyone else, let this post be as close as you get to the game, unless of course you just need a good laugh.
I think we need to wait until Games of Thrones comes out to make a fair decision about it. It hasn’t come out, so I think I will wait. Segmation
I’ve heard a lot about this show, and look forward to seeing it.
Too bad the game is so weak.
You won’t be disappointed by the show, though I will warn you most people get much more enjoyment out of it after reading the books (each season corresponds to a certain book), because you really pick up all of the little details put into actually making something that follows a book with borderline perfection.
That’s true…the book is always better than the movie.
Know what I liked about the movie…NO READING! jk
Allow me to be the first to say congrats on being freshly pressed!
I love the TV series and just finished reading the first book. Disappointing to see that the game fails to live up to the high standard set in the other mediums, but not exactly suprising – these TV/movie adaptions rarely satisfy.
Reblogged this on Ivycreekstudios's Blog.
que raro
Damn. I have been a long-time fan of the books and when I first heard there would be a TV series made, I was horrified, until discovering it was to be an HBO production.
The TV series has been treated with a great deal of respect, and that’s evident in the quality of the show.
When I read that George R. R. Martin had contributed to the storyline of this game, I felt relief again at the prospect of this RPG being just as polished – disappointed to hear that isn’t the case
Excellent post.
To be honst, I will enjoy my experience in Game of Thrones…
Thanks for sharing.
I am so depressed hearing this. I was looking forward to this game and to know that it sucks, well…sucks. Thank you for the review though. I always appreciate an honest review, especially if it means I can save money on something that would have been disappointing otherwise. I guess I’ll just have to stick with the books/show as you suggested.
Nice post.
I just read that its Season 2 was the most pirated TV show of 2012.
I thought you were talking about the book, but the game? Didn’t even know they made it. In my own opinion if Blizzard took the responsibility of making this game, it would be far more better than Diablo or WOW.
Blizzard would be a great match, but personally I think the perfect couple would be A Game of Thrones made by Bethesda Studios because of their amazing ability to tell such a deep story.
Bioware would be a much better fit than either BS or Blizzard, imo.
True in a way, Bioware is better at story telling, but not necessarily at the feeling of exploration that would go so well with a game based on Game of Thrones.
I have yet to play a well made game with ties to movies/books/shows. Always seems that the games were strictly made to ride on the coattails of the popularity of the other media. I’m just guessing though as that’s my experience with video games… too many years of experience I might add. I did enjoy a few of the LotR games but I honestly can’t say they were great games. Good perhaps. Just not great.
I wasn’t planning on picking this up. I already know that, like the RTS that was released last year, this is just to milk money out of Song of Ice and Fire fans. So, it’s good to know that it has a good story. I’ll be picking it up once its price drops down.
There is always a 4th way: the boardgame does not disappoint.
I had almost forgotten about the board game! I’ve always wanted to play it but it costs quite a bit and it isn’t exactly easy to find many other players.
Thanks for the review, I’ll probably get it when the price gets down, or in a sale!
A full dedicated team for seven years? Based on this review I won’t be buying the game.
I’m not one for RPGs but I will steer clear of this one. Maybe the next version will be better, if there is one.
Reblogged this on fuqmagazine.
My brother was able to get an advance copy of the game and was not impressed either. Good review.
Very well written review. Thank you.
Sad to hear. I absolutely love the Game of Thrones books and HBO series, and would have like to play this game. I don’t think I’ll waste my money now.
TV shows are just crap
This is disappointing to hear, but unfortunately, not surprising. Almost by tradition, anything which has attempted the full circle (Literature, Television, Video Game) has rarely been fully successful.
That is a shame, I was so looking forward to the game.
Hmmm… seems like a case of a rushed production to me. Perhaps they were too eager to get it out there and make some money, instead of spending time to make it the best it could be. What a shame.
that sucks! I love the show! Thank God I didn’t pre-order this!
btw, planning to do a Diablo 3 review? PLEASE DO!
Not sure if I’ll be able to. To be honest my current computer isn’t exactly brilliant and won’t run Diablo 3, but I’m hoping to get a new one very soon. Unfortunately, it’ll probably be too late to worry about it by then.
aww that sucks! oh welll
thanks anyhow!
so… its no Skyrim aye?
excellent and nice post ………thanks for sharing….
Thanks for the review…i am not gonna buy this game…
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Game of Thrones is great ! I enjoy it!
There was supposed to be an RTS as well; did that ever get released? GoT certainly lends itself to that style of gameplay and if they just changed the look of Age of Empires and called Greece Winterfell, I think I’d be happy.
Yea, it’s called A Game of Thrones: Genesis, and it was pretty much just a below average RTS for the PC with not really anything worth bothering over.
Sad. I don’t play that many video games but like both RTS and RPGs so was hoping at least one will be good. Still; I am plodding through Dragon Age currently so it’ll be a few years before I am able to tackle anything new.
When does a game based on one of these epic fantasy series ever turn out well?
How did I not know about this game? It’s a shame it sucks. It’s a shame the show is starting to suck now that it keeps inexplicably diverging from the books so much.
Really? That sucks, I just finished the first season and loved how much it stayed to the book, even down to the dialogue.
I look forward to see the show cause I still never had time to watch it, but I’m sorry the game is disappointing! Thank you for sharing,
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