Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a little bit of a disappointing addition to an already lackluster lineup of GoT video games, partially as a result of it selected the incorrect story to concentrate on. Sure, it’s disappointing that Game of Thrones is getting a mobile game as an alternative of a full console one, however Kingsroad nonetheless may have made the perfect of this dangerous state of affairs by having a novel and fascinating story to inform. Sadly, the sport is shackled to the narrative of the HBO adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s A Track of Ice and Hearth collection, severely limiting its potential.
Selecting to set a recreation in Westeros throughout a special interval, one which was not already closely explored by Recreation of Thrones or Home of the Dragon would have allowed for extra flexibility within the recreation’s narrative. It may even have launched new parts to the world that haven’t been seen earlier than. Whereas Kingsroad will be doing some of that, it does really feel like will probably be restricted in how significant these new additions to Recreation of Thrones can actually be.
There Is An Unexplored Recreation Of Thrones Story That Deserves Its Personal Recreation
Robert’s Rebel Is The Excellent Setting For A Recreation Of Thrones Story
What makes Kingsroad’s narrative timeline so disappointing is that there’s already a interval in Westerosi historical past that will be excellent to discover within the recreation: Robert’s Rebel. This time interval is ideal as a result of its proximity is shut sufficient to Recreation of Thrones that loads of characters can nonetheless be concerned, like Ned Stark and Jaime Lannister. Nonetheless, there’s additionally the flexibleness to create some distinctive characters who can play an essential position within the riot whose tales weren’t explored in Recreation of Thrones or the unique books.
A continent-spanning struggle can also be the proper technique to permit gamers the chance to see all kinds of places in Westeros. Preventing alongside Ned Stark’s northmen would imply touring from the highest of Westeros right down to King’s Touchdown. Gamers would even have the prospect to take part in well-known conflicts just like the Battle of the Trident that gamers have by no means seen depicted in a visible medium. This could be extra thrilling than merely being a background participant in battles that have been already proven on the HBO collection.
Gamers Know Their Character Will not Be As Essential As Characters Like Jon Snow
The trailer for Game of Thrones: Kingsroad confirmed the participant character interacting with huge names from the collection like Jon Snow and Jaime Lannister. Whereas Recreation of Thrones followers will clearly be happy to see a few of their favorites again, will probably be exhausting to not have the sport’s protagonist be overshadowed by them. Preventing White Walkers alongside Jon will make the participant really feel extra like an additional on the present than the hero of the story.
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After all, there isn’t something inherently incorrect with a lower-stakes story by itself, however it is likely to be considerably exhausting to get invested in restoring the glory of Home Tyre when the world is ending across the recreation’s protagonist. This wouldn’t have been as huge of a difficulty had the sport been set throughout Robert’s Rebel. Although stakes have been excessive for these preventing, there was no world-ending risk on the time like there was throughout Recreation of Thrones. This smaller scale battle would have allowed the participant’s story to really feel a bit extra essential compared.
Basing The Recreation On Robert’s Rebel Would Permit It To Embody Distinctive Characters
There Are Doubtless Main Gamers In The Rebel Whose Tales Have not Been Absolutely Explored
Though Recreation of Thrones did embrace a few of the characters from Robert’s Rebel like Robert Baratheon, Ned Stark, and Barristan Selmy, there are little doubt numerous different members of each the riot and the Targaryen loyalists that by no means appeared within the present or the books. Setting a recreation throughout Robert’s Rebel would subsequently have allowed the builders to create extra distinctive characters for the sport. Whereas this will appear counterintuitive – quite a lot of the advertising for Kingsroad appears to emphasise the presence of fan-favorite characters – it could have averted a serious subject with Kingsroad.
By together with main characters from Recreation of Thrones, Kingsroad is caught between two unlucky choices. Both gamers could have no significant relationship with these characters and their appearances will probably be extra like glorified cameos, or the sport will depart gamers questioning the place their character was through the present’s occasions in the event that they have been so essential. Neither choice is all that satisfying. Whereas it is sensible from a advertising standpoint to have the ability to slap Jon Snow or Cersei Lannister on the promotional materials, it in the end cheapens the expertise of the sport.
Setting the sport in a special interval and surrounding the participant with distinctive characters would permit for main characters within the story to have a extra significant reference to the participant. It could additionally permit the participant’s character to have extra of an impression on the occasions occurring on the planet with out making gamers query why it wasn’t talked about within the present. It could additionally permit Recreation of Thrones to begin rising away from the HBO collection and concentrate on different tales in Westeros.
Preserving The Actors From The HBO Present Reminds Gamers Of Its Disappointments
One other disappointing side of Kingsroad is its resolution to mannequin its characters after the actors from the HBO collection. Once more, this is sensible for advertising functions, and likewise from a sensible standpoint because the builders didn’t have to spend time creating distinctive trying characters or variations of characters like Jon who’re extra in keeping with their guide descriptions. Nonetheless, the extra Recreation of Thrones properties proceed to tie themselves to the HBO collection, the extra your complete franchise will probably be ceaselessly linked to its disappointments.
Even earlier than its much-maligned collection finale, Recreation of Thrones made disappointing adjustments to A Track of Ice and Hearth. This included leaving out the revelation that Aegon Targaryen is (probably) nonetheless alive, and Catelyn Stark’s return from the useless because the ghastly and violent Woman Stoneheart. GoT video games could be a good way to discover a model of the story extra in keeping with the novels and present some new issues that weren’t on the present. The extra video games like Kingsroad cling to the HBO model, the much less possible it appears gamers will get a novel adaptation of Martin’s world.
Though Recreation of Thrones: Kingsroad is a little bit of a disappointment, there’s nonetheless hope {that a} future Recreation of Thrones recreation may resolve these points. It could be good to get a recreation not as carefully tied to the HBO collection, or on the very least, one which takes place in a novel time interval. If something, gamers needs to be grateful that such a disappointing recreation is solely a cell recreation, and maintain out hope that a AAA title for consoles based mostly on the collection may do higher.
Supply: The Game Awards/YouTube
Recreation of Thrones: Kingsroad
In Recreation of Thrones: Kingsroad, gamers be part of Jon Snow and the Evening’s Watch in defending the Wall in opposition to White Walkers and giants. Set between Seasons 4 and 5, this open-world motion RPG permits exploration of iconic places like Winterfell, with dynamic fight and interactions with acquainted characters.
