There’s a well known saying in the world of gaming and most people in retail also use it as a get out clause and those few words are “well, if you’re a fan of this..” It kind of leads the review down a slightly predictable path, but let’s get torn into episode one of Telltale Games’ Game of Thrones interactive story.
Now, I’m sorry, but I am in no way calling this a game. There’s just no way that that is the case. I was expecting more from the company that has brought us such a cracking game like the underrated Sam & Max revamp a few years ago on PS3, which was a hoot, but it was also a game, much like the old point and click stuff we had in our day (you tell a kid about point and click and he’ll be looking at where to point his smartphone to become famous)
The fact is that no matter how close to the TV series this game is or how beautiful the story weaves it’s magic, this is not a game. Think of this as more of a series of QTEs (Quick Time Events for those who aren’t in the know) with you having control over three members of the Forrester House in different circumstances whilst aiming for the protection of their kingdom. It’s like taking the action parts out of Mass Effect, adding in some Shenmue (God rest it’s soul) button presses and then throwing in some knights in swords to it all and leaving it to stew on your console.
Due to the nature of this interactive story I can’t really go into too much of the tale itself, as it may give away the choices you have to make during the duration. Episode 1 took roughly about 3 to 4 hours and involves a lot of button pressing in terms of your decision choice. The Y button will almost undoubtedly have you residing as a mute as this is your keep shtum button. the other 3 are decision makers that can adjust the way the game pans out not just over this small part of the grand scheme of things, but with the whole pixelated box set itself.
The graphics serve their purpose, but don’t exactly set the world on fire with their elegance. Some parts stuttered a bit and the occasional warp to a point of interest did take place, but this is not the most annoying part of this title. The aforementioned lack of much to do other than pressing the four standard buttons is a bit dull, especially for someone who doesn’t really follow the actual series. I mean, once Sean Bean had his head cut off in season 1 of the actual show, I just got bored.
The one thing Telltale Games do well though is get a story across and that is the same here. I have to say that the fable it casts as you go along is good and it does start to suck you in, even for non fans. I do believe though that (here it comes) if you’re a fan of the TV show then this will be more of a grabber on you than those that are coming into it fresh. The story does weave into the show as well, taking place after season 3 and before the fifth, it sees the Forresters and their Ironwood stock being put under threat. It does also have the voice acting talent of the real movers and shakers on HBO’s programme, including “Mr Boring Ghost” himself, Peter Dinklage.
All annoyance of the lack of game in this aside, you know what you are expecting if you are a fan of what Telltale do. This is more of that succulent storytelling being brought to the fore, but the only problem now is that the game engine is looking a little dated. It is something I would expect in an Xbox 360 Arcade game, let alone the now current gen, but once you adjust your eyes and get beyond the graphics, the actual tale is pretty much in tandem with what the show would have, at least with the reputation it has built. Gruesome family death, backstabbing, lack of trust issues are all on show and I can only assume this will keep going throughout the episodes. You have choices to make straight away before the titles even come up, but you can rewind back to a point if you wish to rethink what you’ve done, which is good, unless you wanna change the start. If that is the case you need to be prepared to go through another 4 hours.
I don’t think I would be as miffed as I am if it wasn’t for the fact that when I think of games that this talented company did before this it seemed to lean more towards the Lucasarts years of grab something, link it with something else in the hope it opens something or gets someone to do a task to further your progress. I’m not kidding when I say I only picked up about 4 things and only had to use one because it was woven into the story patchwork so had to be given to one of the non playable characters.
It is early days yet though and things may well improve in terms of the input required from the player in anything other than push A and move stick left til done. The first chapter provides a good start with a gripping tale to entice you to make the right choices, but I do fear that some major plotlines are not changeable regardless of what you do. Time will tell though and once the second part of this little tale of thrones becomes available we will let you know about that also. Right now though I have to get Dinklage out of my head. Between that and Destiny he is getting too much exposure to my creative temple and I may have nightmares (either that or I may start mashing phrases…. “Lady Forrester… This close to the surface?”
Overall? Average start, so a similar score will suffice.
