With eight seasons, a highly controversial prequel, and seven separate spin-offs in the works, HBO has announced the release of their newest addition to the world of Westeros: Game of Thrones: Kingsroad. Based on the iconic series, A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones has garnered the attention of fans and gamers alike for years. Starring iconic characters, familiar locals, and beloved franchise-specific narratives, the Action RPG mobile game is set to be one of the hottest games of the new year —with even more surprises just waiting to be explored.
Narrative
The new trailer for Kingsroad highlights a narrative centered around one of the series’ most popular characters, Jon Snow, and his revered Night’s Watch. Rumored to stick close but expand the story during Season 4 of HBO’s world-renowned adaptation, players will have another opportunity to explore the intricacies of Westeros in preparation for defeating the looming threat just beyond the Wall. As the scion of House Tyre —an entirely new house created just for the game —players will battle against the shifting political landscape to secure their legacy before the White Walkers make their move. This takes place before the threat of winter comes to lay claim to the seven kingdoms once and for all.
Game Details
While game-specific details for Game of Thrones: Kingsroad are limited, some announced features include a character creator for players to customize their chosen hero. Gamers will have the option to choose between three distinct classes: Assassin, Knight, or Sellsword, and will interact with some of the most iconic and controversial characters from the titular series. This includes some of the series’ most loathed villains: Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister, and Lord Varys.
“We believe Game of Thrones is a world rich with untold stories and adventures and were pleased to bring Westeros to life in an exciting new way for gamers,” Netmarble CEO Kwon Young-sik said.
Developed by Netmarble, a South Korean studio, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad has been confirmed to be approximately 70% complete. While still in development, the studio has announced a projected release window of sometime in 2025. The mobile game will be available on iOS, Android, and PC.
Outlook
Given the harrowed past of both the later seasons of HBO’s adaptation and the previous iterations of games attempting to expand the story’s already intricate lore, there is hope that this new addition to the franchise will live up to the legacy the source material created. While there is some trepidation that Game of Thrones: Kingsroad will just be another lackluster attempt to cash in on the show’s popularity, many fans are looking forward to seeing just what Netmarble has come up with. Exactly where the story is heading remains a mystery, which leaves reactions curiously optimistic but wary.
