Games of Thrones: Kingsroad Preview – Power is Power

Players will be able to experience Westeros like never before with the release of Netmarble’s Games of Thrones: Kingsroad.

Gamers Heroes recently got a chance to spend some quality time with Games of Thrones: Kingsroad and its seven kingdoms – see what’s to come with our hands-on preview.

Games of Thrones: Kingsroad Preview – Power is Power

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad sits in a strange place…

A cross-platform single-player RPG with online co-op components and a strong strain of mobile DNA in a world that we, as video game fans, have hardly had the opportunity to touch.

As an exclusively mobile game, it’s very impressive, a true testament to the advances in technology for devices we hold in our hands.

However, as a more traditional PC game, it’s a bit different.

Westeros’s pure scope took me aback; the game world is huge. Even the relatively short distance between Castle Black at The Wall, down to Winterfell, it felt as though there were endless opportunities to explore, and a great mix of open-world objectives keep things fresh and rewarding.

The map is huge, and promises endless hours of rewarding exploration

Hunting down bounty targets, solving puzzles for ancient relics, and wiping out bandit camps for additional supplies, it’s an open world that doesn’t feel full for the sake of being full – and that’s a rarity today.

All the activities are related to various currencies and avenues of progression, all familiar in the mobile gaming space. Enhancing weapons, altering attributes and perks, reforging gear, all combining to offer near-endless options to grind for minor gains,

One area of the game that was impressive, considering its mobile limitations, is the action RPG approach to combat. Familiar blocking, dodging, light attack and heavy attack mechanics are supported by a reliable auto-locking system that makes combat against multiple enemies a real joy – and that’s most fights.

Combat is a little slow to start, but begins to shine as more abilities are unlocked

Abilities are somewhat restrictive, requiring both power and cooldowns to cast, but it does allow for more impactful attacks. Stringing together my Fury Strike, a swift kick and follow-up swing, with a huge leap and smash from Earth Strike was my bread and butter throughout the preview event, and it never grew old.

It’s a simple approach to combat and one that doesn’t evolve very much past the initial hours, but its responsive nature creates for engaging and challenging combat and boss battles.

While I wouldn’t consider myself a huge Game of Thrones fan, I long to explore the world and lore in video-game format, and Kingsroad does offer that opportunity.

A unique story sees the main character of House Tyre seeking out the Seven Kingdoms to provide aid at The Wall. Several iconic characters from are present in the early hours, and events from the show are discussed and reflected in the world as players explore.

Artifacts are probably my favorite aspect of the ties to the Game of Thrones world, powerful items you can find with ties to various characters and events, grounding the very world they are exploring.

Many of these systems come together in the Estate Management of Renan’s Rest, a small village in which the player lords over. Hiring staff, upgrading various buildings and functions, it’s an exciting system and one I’m eager to explore further once the game is launched.

Being developed for mobile first does bring with it the woes of the platform. Various mechanics, such as basic functions of carrying items or opening certain chests, are tied behind currency-restricted elements designed to restrict too great an advancement in too short a time.

Ultimately, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad offers players the best opportunity to explore Westeros that we’ve had to date. However, its clear priority of mobile-first development will admittedly be off-putting for those not used to the monetization and engagement mechanics of today’s mobile titles.

Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is available for the PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, along with mobile devices via the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

All those interested can register via the official website.

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