Game of thrones: A Telltale Games Series (PS4)

Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series allows players to enter into the world of the massively popular HBO series (which is of course, based on George R. R. Martin’s novels), and explore it well beyond what’s depicted in the source material. You get to experience important events in the TV show from a different perspective, and meet all-new characters, in particular those of House Forrester, who have played no part in the series until now. But along the way, you will meet lots of figures you’re bound to recognize from the GoT universe, and visit storied locations such as King’s Landing and the Wall.

The story begins shortly before the events of the infamous “Red Wedding” that shocked fans at the end of the third season. You take on the role of the young squire Gared Tuttle, who has dutifully served the lord of House Forrester, retainers to the Starks, for several years now. Together with their liege Robb Stark, the Forresters intend to join in the festivities surrounding the marriage of Stark’s uncle Edmure to one of Lord Frey’s daughters. At the beginning of the story the Forresters and other lords loyal to House Stark are camped out in front of The Twins, the seat of House Frey and home to Lord Walder Frey. Inside the fortress, the wedding festivities are fully underway, and the mood outside the gates is relaxed and cheery. No one has any inkling of the bloodbath that will soon be upon them. Around the campfires, the forces loyal to House Stark engage in lively discussion, and the wine flows freely. In a private conversation between Lord Forrester and his squire, you learn that the lord is very grateful for his underling’s loyal service, and would now like to offer him the chance to join Robb Stark’s vanguard the following morning – an opportunity to ride side by side with Lord Forrester’s own son. Gared is extremely thankful for his lord’s confidence in him, if this is going to be his last day as squire, he intends to render his service wholeheartedly.

And so, Gared is soon making his way through the sprawling camp in order to replenish the Forresters’ supply of wine, which is running low. But during this brief little mission, it becomes clear that the atmosphere in the camp is getting more and more sober, as everyone can somehow sense that something terrible has happened inside The Twins. A moment later, all hell breaks loose on the campgrounds as well, and fights break out all over the place between Robb Stark’s people and those loyal to Walder Frey. It takes all of Gared’s effort to make it through the carnage unscathed, back to his master. The two of them try to flee into the nearby forest, but Frey’s soldiers have spotted them, and are hot on their heels. In order to allow his squire to escape and thus send an important message to his family in Ironrath, Lord Forrester turns around to face the attackers – a brave decision that would prove to be his last. Taking up his master’s sword, Gared sets off on a dangerous journey that will take him to all kinds of places across Westeros, where several major challenges await him. But during the course of the story you’ll also pick up other interesting roles and learn lots of new information that will allow you to view the overall plot and several major events in the series in a whole new light.

Gameplay

Since the majority of the story is told in the form of conversation, dialogue is especially important, so you should definitely pay attention. During dialogue, you’re only given a limited amount of time to select an answer with your controller, and if you don’t answer, this is interpreted as your character remaining silent. Since the person you’re talking to will take your reaction into account and remember it, what you say will have an effect on the events in the game. In several cases this means you’ll be able to decide the fate of certain characters, depending on which path you choose. Overall, there are limits to just how much what you say can influence the game, which is mostly because the story has to go in a certain direction.

Despite the heavy focus on storytelling, in addition to dialogue there are several intense action sequences that demand your full attention. Certain button combinations will allow you to gain the upper hand in dicey situations where you have to fend off an attack or avoid running into something. Most of the time these scenes are really unpredictable, and they usually lead directly to a dialogue scene. So it’s important not to lose your concentration, so that you’ll be able to react quickly at any time.

Since these action sequences often come down to proper timing, it’s important that the controls work properly. In contrast to the PC controls, which can be kind of clunky, the PS4 controller scheme works really well, guaranteeing a smooth experience. The controls outside of combat, which are kind of reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventure games, allow you to explore the environment and interact with people and objects. Most of this is done using the analog sticks.

All the characters you meet in the game, including the player characters, are realistically portrayed and each have their own personality. This means that the game really plays on your emotions, from sympathy for the main characters and their companions to a strong aversion to villains of all kinds. Even the characters we already known from the TV series are really well done and help to anchor the new game series in the world of Game of Thrones. The game isn’t really inferior to the source material in any way actually, and the characters are just as well fleshed out in the new medium as they are on HBO.

And as a little bonus for all of you who just can’t get enough Game of Thrones, the game’s Codex offers in-depth bios on the most important characters. It’s also possible to re-watch some of the most important and decisive actions you’ve taken in the course of the game, complete with statistics on how other players acted in the same situation.

Graphics

Unfortunately, the otherwise excellent visual experience is occasionally tarnished by fuzzy textures and pixelated edges that are all too conspicuous to ignore them completely.

Sound

The dialogue features voiceovers recorded by the actual cast members from the HBO series, including Peter Dinklage (Tyrion Lannister), Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Natalie Dormer (Margaery Tyrell), and more.