Little Little, in the Middle

Sometimes only reading the GOT books (or watching the series) is not enough. You want some interaction, wield the sword against Lannisters or ride a dragon with Khalessi. Although the last one is not possible yet (at least not according to my knowledge).

1. The Action

Maybe the most appropriate genre for a GOT game is RPG. The guys at Cyanide probably think like me after their first try :) . Their first take on GOT games is "Game of Thrones: Genesis" which is a below-average real time strategy game. However it got lots of negative reviews. It neither has the breakthrough to attract the strategy gamers nor the charm to catch GOT reader's (or watcher's :) ) eye. Only the hardcore GOT fans and the strategy gamers who have never heard of Warcraft played this game. Just kiddin'. Maybe I did not give it enough attention, but it just lack the appeal. Their second take on the series is more to my liking, an RPG game! You can play in turns as the Red Priest Alester Sarwyck and the skinchanger Mors Westford. Both of these characters are new, which is good and bad at the same time. I mean lets be honest who does not want to be Jon Snow with Ghost by his side? However your fate is determined (and most importantly you know what will happen) even if you click "New Game" for the first time. Maybe I am being a little harsh but come on; if you are Jon, you won't get be in Kings Landing, you will go to the Wall. Or you will know whom you are falling in love with when you meet two girls and one is named Ygritte! But with newly introduced characters, there is always the element of surprise. Yes, you know you are a Red Priest (or member of the Night Watch); what you dont know is every other detail about your character! I look forward to the unfolding story with each level of this game... Yes. Level. This word holds the most crucial defect of the game. The game is NOT open - world. It sacrifices gameplay to have a strong narrative.

Don't be fooled by the looks, the better game is on the left.

(Gothic II vs GOT)

The time interval is more or less the same with the first book of the series. It begins before Jon Arryn's death and ends before the first book ends. You would be happy to know that the script was reviewed by our beloved G.R.R. Martin so that there wont be a conflict with original world he created.

So that's all for the action part. I will include the details as I play the game.

2. The Strategy

Remember the strategy game I mentioned before? The one Cyanide made? Well, if you want to play a good strategy game located in Westeros, GOT: Genesis is not that game. There is a good fan-made mode which is much better if you are good with menus and deep strategy. Crusader King 2: A Game of Thrones.

These are not the droids you are looking for.

(Game of Thrones: Genesis)

It includes all good things in game of thrones game; all kingdoms and factions (big and small), detailed map which you can invade where ever you like and possibility to smash Lannisters or to be able to choose to play from any start date in the 300 years from before Aegon's Conquest to the beginning of the fourth book, A Feast for Crows. And here comes the "but", it also have all bad things a Paradox game has; complicated menus and a -very- steep learning curve. But believe me, it is worth it.

Come on, look how cool the map is.

3. The Adventure

There is also an adventure game in development for GOT. Which company you say? The one and only Telltale Games!!! Yes you heard it right, the one company that made Walking Dead and Wolf Among Us!. Those games are the proof that this company makes wonders with adapting books (comics, to be honest) into computer games. I am a little biased about this company cause they resurrected one of my favourite games, Monkey Island from the dead. But their take on the Walking Dead won many awards including BAFTA Best Game Story 2013. I mean fingers crossed :)

Here a link for IGN video if you want to learn a bit more. But be warned, it is just speculation :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htcDElT_YQQ