Game Of Thrones: Kingsroad Is A Good Start

Game of Thrones is a series with rich lore, intriguing and complex characters, and beautiful settings, which has seen its television show adaptation become a deserved global phenomenon. With such a beloved fantasy world, it’s surprising that it hasn’t been translated into a similarly successful video game; a medium known for its ability to express an immersive and intricate experience. This becomes even more disappointing when considering how a big-budget AAA video game could achieve this. The reveal of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is but another letdown for the series.

Announced at The Game Awards 2024, Kingsroad is a narrative-driven action RPG, which is exactly what an adaptation of the series could achieve well. However, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a mobile-exclusive title which is set for release in 2025, developed by Netmarble of Star Wars: Force Arena and Marvel Future Revolution fame. A video game adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire deserves to have a fully immersive, polished, and in-depth AAA experience not unlike The Elder Scrolls, meaning fans of the Westeros-set fantasy are still waiting for this vision to be fulfilled in 2025.

Game Of Thrones Has Yet To Have A Super Successful Video Game

GoT Video Game Adaptations Have Been Lackluster

Despite arguably being the biggest cultural phenomenon of the past 15 years, Game of Thrones is yet to have a video game adaptation comparable to its television compatriot. The closest to success was Telltale Games’ episodic Game Of Thrones, which was released in 2014. The series mimicked the political intrigue and consequential decision-making of the show, and even featured voice acting from cast members of the TV show like Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, and more. Telltale Games were known for their emotionally driven decision-based story games, but their Game of Thrones adaptation received a mixed reception from fans and critics.

While Telltale’s Game of Thrones was faithful to the source and featured a compelling narrative, it had many graphical glitches and was largely forgettable due to the Telltale formula becoming repetitive, ending up with a Metacritic score of 64. Other mobile adaptations like Game of Thrones: Conquest and Game of Thrones: Beyond the Wall are average free-to-play games, focusing on aggressive microtransactions rather than a compelling narrative. The largely forgotten 2012 Game of Thrones developed by Cyanide utilized the ARPG formula, but failed critically and commercially. This pattern of mediocrity highlights the necessity for an ambitious AAA game for GoT.

One Of The Biggest Shows Of All Time Deserves The AAA Experience

Gaming Has Many Compelling Fantasy Worlds, So Should GoT

The Game of Thrones name alone brings to mind images of epic fantasy, complex political tension, and captivating characters. Games like The Witcher 3, The Elder Scrolls, and Baldur’s Gate 3 have achieved all of the above excellently. Game of Thrones demands a similar well-crafted experience like these examples, as it has all the necessary foundations for a dense and lore-filled RPG to be developed by a large studio. Baldur’s Gate 3 especially demonstrates how to adapt an intricate fantasy world; the gameplay style of this title would make an ideal Game of Thrones interactive experience.

Related

All Classes In Game Of Thrones: Kingsroad Explained

The new Game of Thrones: Kingsroad open world adventure role-playing game is coming in 2025 to mobile platforms and has three unique classes.

An example of a theoretical Game of Thrones adaptation would be a sprawling open-world RPG set in Westeros. Players could explore a few of the major cities controlled by the main factions, like the Starks and the Lannisters, choosing which house to align with (or forge their own path). Fans deservedly feel outraged that no developer is willing to bring this vision to light, as ultimately, Game of Thrones deserves more than a lowkey mobile game – the name alone necessitates a widely ambitious project akin to the billion dollar television outing.

A Good GoT Game Could Help Redeem The Series

Game Of Thrones Needs To Save Its Reputation

Despite being a global sensation, the Game of Thrones name has suffered from notoriety lately. The final season was universally panned for being rushed and an unsatisfying conclusion, George R.R Martin’s delayed The Winds of Winter seems to be an abandoned project, and the latest season of the spin-off House of the Dragon was disappointing compared to the ambitious debut. These controversies and missteps have reduced enthusiasm among fans, and news of Game of Thrones: Kingsroad extends the cautious sentiment, rather than providing optimism.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad offers a glimpse of what’s possible in a GoT video game, due to its narrative focus and action gameplay. However, the vast world of Westeros deserves an ambitious AAA title on major consoles and PCs, as the possibilities for a compelling title are endless. A game like this could reignite the passion for the series, and remind gamers of why fans across the globe fell in love with the TV show. Until then, Game of Thrones enthusiasts remain patiently waiting for a video game worthy of the Iron Throne’s legacy.

Source: Metacritic, The Game Awards/YouTube