The developers that brought us The Walking Dead have taken another popular series and turned it into a game, thus Telltales Game of Thrones – Episode 1 "Iron from Ice" was born.
This game will follow the same routine as The Walking Dead, it will release episodically. The game itself is scoring anywhere between 6.5 and 8 out of 10 (if the publication is assigning points) and while the scores a bit spread apart – the general consensus isn't. The story is emotionally draining (which is what you'd expect from Game of Thrones), the animation can be 'iffy', and it's a bit slow to get into (also, on par with Game of Thrones).
Without further ado, here's what the web thinks about it:
Destructoid
Overall, the writing is on par with what we expect from Telltale. It is smart and it captures the feel of A Song of Ice and Fire well.Graphically, Game of Thrones is kind of a mess. Though it was not apparent from the quick cuts in the teaser trailer, the art is done in the style of an oil painting…it distracts from the serious drama of the narrative. Still, that narrative is the focus, and it is strong…it sets the stage for an intensely emotionally draining experience. In spite of its blemishes, so far it looks like Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series deserves its place in the A Song of Ice and Fire lore.
Polygon
"Iron from Ice" has enough interesting choices and more than enough tension to grab me as a Game of Thrones enthusiast, and at its best this episode suggests the desperation of the books and show. It forces you to react to horrific circumstances.
But anyone new to the setting will likely become bored long before anything interesting happens. So far, Telltale's game leans too heavily on prior investment in this world. It's possible all of this is leading someplace interesting, and the final scene shows the kind of spirit and verve missing in the first two hours. But "Iron from Ice" is a rocky start to a promising story.
IGN
Tough decisions, well-acted original characters in interesting situations, and a strong, provocative ending kick off Telltale’s new Game of Thrones series in a great way. Its nature as a side-story to the HBO show means we won’t get to decide the fate of Westeros, but this introduction is convincing evidence that the future of House Forrester puts enough at stake to make choices matter.
Escapist
The first episode of Telltale's Game of Thrones series isn't exactly groundbreaking but it successfully draws you in to learn what happens next to the Forresters. The art style and the vocal talents are superb and the new characters feel ripped from Martin's pages, for better or worse.
GameSpot
Game of Thrones is off to a slow but not uneventful start, with an almost unfairly large heap of teases and promises for the next episode. The pacing is true to its source material–slow, taking its own time–but the payoff for major scenes is worth wading through. If the show makes you scream, the game will make you scream, because it’s difficult not to get wrapped up in the struggle to serve and hold up your house. It’s a game about family told in perhaps the most un-family-friendly environment in fantasy fiction, and in a way that will leave you sick with delight and sadness as the credits roll.
Joystiq
The only thing that Game of Thrones has going against it is the nature of its story, which is full of betrayal, death, malice and hopelessness. If you find yourself at the end of Game of Thrones episodes feeling emotionally exhausted, then actually putting yourself in the position of characters who face those kind of no-win situations is perhaps not a great idea. Everything you feel while watching the show you will feel even more acutely as you play Iron from Ice, because this time you're not a spectator, you're a participant. Of course, this is also what many players will find appealing, the chance to finally test your mettle and force your will upon the world where winter is coming.
Eurogamer
I can't say I enjoyed this episode very much, but not to the point that I can't see things picking up now that things are properly in motion or that looking back it won't be the foundation the series needed. Telltale absolutely has it in them to create a dark, dramatic story worthy of the license, and I'd love to see them pull it off. For now though, I'd suggest holding back for an episode or two to see how things look once at least our trivial little winter has come and gone.
*Game news publications (GameZone included) are starting to take a different approach to episodic game releases. As opposed to reviewing each episode and assigning a score, the entire season will be scored at the conclusion.
