Buy Game of Thrones (Art Book Bundle)

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $59.99
Sale Price: $55.99
Today's Bonus: 7% Off

There doesn't appear to be much middle ground with regard to this RPG: either you like it or hate it. Yes the game has flaws and certainly lacks polish. This game could have been so much more in the hands of the correct developer. In my humble opinion, these reviews put up so far (as of 16 May 2012) here on Amazon do not do the game justice. This game is for fans of Westeros...whether you like the Song of Fire and Ice books by George R. R. Martin or the HBO series Game of Thrones. If one reads the Cyanide dev diary on this game they state the concepts for this game date back 7 years. This is long before HBO turned the books into the wildly popular TV series. As HBO crafted the visuals for series it forced the game to change to bring it in line with consumer expectations shaped by the TV show. I believe some of the lack of depth and quality can be attributed to this. However, it does not excuse the poor visuals and hodge-podge character graphics/animations.

What you do get with this game in lieu of cutting edge visuals is a solid story that takes you on a linear path (think FF XIII instead of Skyrim) and decent albeit repetitive combat mechanics. I have enjoyed my time in Westeros. It gets easier to overlook the visual flaws of the game when you are playing an engaging character and buy into what they are doing. I equally enjoy both of the main protagonists. The dialogue options seem appropriate and add to the most engaging aspect of the game, the story. Without spoiling the plot, you are faced with a grim story most of the game. If the player is not familiar with the series (book or TV) it will seem disappointing and sad in many aspects, but those knowing the way the books are it only adds to the story-telling aspect of the game. This isn't a Lord of the Rings-type fantasy or Dragon Age where good triumphs over evil. This is a story where life is rough, times are bad, and difficult choices have to be made.

I've seen some professional reviews of the game complain about the lack of character customization. This is misrepresented. Yes, you cannot choose your gender and you cannot choose how they look. You can choose their stats and skills and customize the class and choose any traits (e.g. bonus for being a good leader, resistant to poisons...etc.) to create a balanced character. What is meant by balanced is that these traits are optional. You don't have to pick any at all. Some are good and some are bad, but if you pick a good one, you also have to pick an equal bad one. Example: I picked poison resistance as a good one. So I had to pick a bad one too so my character was balanced. So I chose a trait that made me averse to bleeding. If I "saw blood" my ability to land a blow on an enemy was reduced because I didn't like blood. Keep in mind; you don't have to choose any of these. They are purely optional but add depth to the development of your character and can twist the strategy of how you play the game. Since I don't do well with bleeding, I avoid picking skills that cause enemy players to bleed.

The game has many flaws, but also some cool concepts. Fans of the books will probably enjoy the game as it adds to the overall story of Westeros. Fans of the HBO series will probably be disappointed. All must be willing to play through the unpolished aspects of the game.

I'm going to give the game 4 stars, but a 3.5 is probably more accurate. This isn't Bioware, Bethesda or even Obisidian that made the game. It is not an AAA experience and to my knowledge was never marketed as one.

Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>

Kids with ADD will not like this game, that much is clear. But if you are an adult gamer who used to enjoy "old school" 90s PC RPGs and happen to be a fan of GRRM, then you will most likely love this story driven game.

The voice acting is actually very good, and if you're a fan of the show, you'll feel right at home (especially since the music is the same). The graphics are serviceable, and the RPG elements are quite detailed, though again, suffer from some old school game design choices.

One particularly cool thing is that your dialogue choices directly affect your character perks/development.

The combat is not really turn based... more of a "slow down time to a crawl and queue up your next skills and actions" thing. It works well, and is challenging. You'll have to constantly choose the best weapon to deal with the enemy's armor.

The cutscenes are great, lots of dialogue, excellent codex. If you're a true fan of the books and show and don't get scared away by non-AAA game budgets, you'll love this. It is a quality game.

Best Deals for Game of Thrones (Art Book Bundle)

Let me start this off by saying I am new to the series. I have never read the books and I am about half way through the first season of the HBO series. So before playing the game for the first time I was aware of some characters, locations and lore but not much.

Gameplay:

As many have stated this game plays like what Dragon Age 2 should have played like. Some people have called the fighting boring, I would have to disagree. The combat is fun and rewards tactics. (IF you don't play of easy, which I assume you can just press the attack button a few times and wait for your foes to die) Much like Dragon Age 2, Combat at the start of the game is a little boring since you have yet to unlock skills and executions but by the middle of the game when hordes are crashing down on you it's rewarding to strategize a battle plan and not simply button mash your opponents into oblivion. (Hint: Make sure to utilize your dog as much as possible later in the game and on harder settings. The dog has saved me from the load screen on many occasions.)

Apart from the actual combat the rest of the gameplay is like your other RPGS. Exploring areas results in hidden compartments of cash and loot. There is not a lot of loot but it is worth searching around. Also searching with your dog lets you find loot that otherwise wouldn't not be available to simply pick up. (I didn't figure that out until about chapter 6 or I'm sure I would have found even more loot. An Example, there may be a fire pit that you have checked out with your character, if you switch to your dog and search the same fire pit all of a sudden there is a nice sword in there for you)

The Real Gem of the Game of Thrones is simple the story. (People complaining about the story have obviously not made it past chapter 4 of the game.) Like I mentioned before I'm not a huge fan of the series. (Well at least before I started this game) The Story for both characters is great, Better than most RPG's to come out recently. Kingdoms of Amular's story can't compare to Game of Thrones Lore. Not to mention the twists that I don't want to give away. Just make sure that you pay attention because much like the TV show there is a lot of dialogue to listen to.

Graphics...

While they are far from the best in the world; people comparing this game to PS2 graphics are simply spoiled whiners who don't remember the PS2. These graphics are not the best, but they do the job. The armor's look great but everything else you have seen before this generation.

Bottom Line:

The story makes you want to experience more of the Lore. I actually ordered the first book today so I can get started on catching up with the rest of you. The combat being compared to Dragon age is a fair comparison. ( I Beat Dragon Age Origins 7 times so I may be a little biased in exclaiming that I really like the combat of this game) The leveling system is fun and gives players a feeling of being unique while really not giving players a ton of customization options. I hope if they make a new game players can customize their character a little more. All and all Fun Game with a decent amount of gameplay. A little replay value as decisions you made the first time can be changed on a second play through. If you found this game for $40 bucks you are getting a good game at a great price. At $50 you are getting a solid game worth the money at $60 bucks you are supporting the video game industry and doing your part to help them balance their own budgets. Think of it as making a campaign donation this year that actually goes to a good cause.

Honest reviews on Game of Thrones (Art Book Bundle)

First I was kind of unpleasantly surprised the game has a quasi turn-based combat. But eventually it made sense. It is a story heave game, with long cut scenes, and a lot of dialogues. As a fan of the books, I really like it.

As I prefer RPGs that stress a story, I am really happy with this one.

The rest visuals, sound, and such are good enough for me. The game definitely does not look like my favorite wallpaper generator Skyrim ;), but for a small team on a tight budget it is understandable.

I gave 5 stars for a bundle. The art book is a nice touch, good quality, and free. BTW, I pre-odered this in February, so I got this bundle for 44.99, and I am glad that I did.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Game of Thrones (Art Book Bundle)

While I am only a few hours into the game, it is by no means as bad as some would have you believe. The graphics are not the best and the voice acting can be stail at times, but the story more than makes up for these minor issues. Many will point to the lack of character customization as a flaw, I find that there is just the right amount. You choice your characters class, set the standard RPG states (strength, intel ect.) and learn skills based on the character class you choose.

If you are a fan of the show you will enjoy it, you see some events from a different light than in the books and TV show. If your not a fan, you will probably get more enjoyment from another RPG.