Episode 6 successfully concludes all the major story lines from Episode 5, but leaves you wanting more. Minor spoilers from past episodes follow.
Even though Episode 5 ended with the death of a major Forrester character, Episode 6 opens with Gared, Cotter, and Sylvi finally reaching the fabled and mysterious North Grove. There they encounter two new characters who reference the mysterious power of the North Grove. From the outset, it is clear that something is wrong with these new characters. The episode successfully reveals their dark secrets gradually, but fails to explain the North Grove properly. The new characters repeatedly claim the North Grove has important powers, but never explain what those powers are. So when I was faced with the major decision of whether to aid my friend from the past four episodes or sacrifice him to help the grove, it wasn’t difficult at all.
The main Forrester arc was satisfying, if a little unsurprising. It’s been clear from the beginning that things will not end well for the Forrester family and Episode 6 does not deviate from this pattern. At the end of Episode 5, you have to choose which of the two main Forrester characters to save. I chose to save the more warrior-like one because the Whitehills (the antagonists) only understand force. The Forrester arc culminates in a major battle between the heavily outnumbered Forresters and the vicious Whitehills. It’s not surprising that things go poorly for the Forresters, but the episode did a good job of making it feel closer than it really was. You come close to achieving victory despite immeasurable odds.
Mira’s arc, which had been the most interesting this season, was a complete letdown. Mira’s machinations to try and protect her family from King’s Landing allowed her to interact with various important characters from the show, such as Tyrion, Cersei, and Margaery Tyrell. Also, her scheming was a nice change from all the violence and swordplay of the rest of the Forrester. But this episode basically turned her into Sansa. She’s made powerless and then controlled by an abusive male figure. While it may be in keeping with Game of Thrones themes, it’s absolutely no fun and diminished Mira as a character.
The gameplay and graphics remained the same as always. Combat occurs through QTEs and you interact with people by looking and clicking on them. You control the dialogue between characters and your choices either please or anger whoever you’re talking to. As always, you’re forced to make tough decisions. For example, do you stage an elaborate ambush for the major villain, but risk harming your brother who is his hostage? Or do you attempt to poison his wine, even though that’s considered a coward’s weapon? These kind of choices make the game more immersive and had me on the edge of my seat.
In conclusion, while the finale successfully wrapped up all the cliffhangers from the episode before, it was far from satisfying. The ending felt derivative of the show. As the game was ending, my wife asked me, “So you’re basically the Starks?” I couldn’t think of any response to prove her wrong. You’re a family in the North undone by your honor and the treachery of other houses, including the Boltons. All noble characters end up dead and the future of the house rests on a young child being raised by a wild woman far away.
Telltale originally claimed there would be multiple seasons for Game of Thrones. However, Season 2 has yet to be confirmed. If there is more than one season, then this finale is not enough to prevent me from continuing the Forrester story. But if there’s only one season, then this’ll be the first time I regret playing a Telltale game.
Paul writes: "I honestly believe that I am the only man currently alive who has never seen an episode of the TV show, despite having read the series of books multiple times. Despite everyone telling me how great the show is, I just have difficulty in believing that it can be as amazing as the scenes that have played out in my mind. I initially felt the same way about any video games of the series, but seeing that Telltale Games’ 2014 adaptation of the Game of Thrones Universe wasn't based on the books, I decided to dive in and see what was what. And boy, was I glad that I did."
The final season of Game of Thrones comes out tonight. It leaves me asking one simple question: Why can't anyone seem to make a decent Game of Thrones game that allows us to play as the characters that we both love and hate?
Unfortunately it won't happen, or it it does, it'll probably be EA or Activision that gets the license.
I doubt respawn would want to do an open world medeival game at that scale. Although they probably could. Do you seriously think if EA got the license, they would give it to respawn? They would give it to the fifa studio just so they could bury the license.
Dont want it to be a Sony exclusive buy them God if war boys can probably do it justice.
My top pick would be CD Projekt by far!! But I would be surprised if a studio like that ever did a licensed game based off of either TV or movies. I mean The Witcher is based off of a series of novels but they arguably made the books popular vs licensed games usually rely on movies/shows to sell... I.e. they could give the game of thrones license to a shit studio and make more money from overcharging the license to the developper knowing a mediocre game based on GoT would still sell well.
It would more than likely end up being a clone of The Witcher is it was given to CDPR. To be honest Telltale was probably the best at the time for a GoT game. Game of Thrones is very much dialogue driven and action should take a backseat to it in any game based on the series.
Yes! But didn't Bethesda say they turned it down a while back i.e. pre Skyrim?
They did. They actually were in talks for the game of thrones game but they turned it down because they had just started production of Skyrim and needed all hands on deck.
Some of Telltale Games' most popular titles are being slashed in price today, as the Humble Store has launched a build-your-own-bundle deal that gives users up to 85 percent off.
