REVIEW – With the second episode of Game of Thrones, the tribulations and the fight for survival of House Forrester continues. Among the well-known characters of the books and the television show, our heroes must make smart choices to make the best out of every situation. Every choice matters according to Telltale, so we continued our journey with some old and new characters, to learn how much is it true?

There was an interview once I made with a film director, and he told me, that the very moment we give the viewer the choice to alter the story in an interactive movie, it’s that very moment that his creative control is lost and thus the whole movie (or in our case: the game’s story) is forsaken. Why those words might be a bit harsh for us, gamers, it’s still true that’s Telltale is in a very delicate situation regarding the outcome of our choices in their Game of Thrones series, since the artistic integrity of the whole storyline must be preserved somehow.

Do choices really matter?

That’s the very reason why our choices aren’t so relevant yet. I played through Episode 1 once again, made some other choices, and it didn’t really changed the outcome of the events for either of the playable characters. Still, the second episode is a somewhat more decisive one. We must face some more direct choices with Mira Forrester or Asher and I am pretty sure, that those will have more direct consequences in future episodes.

The second episode also includes somewhat more colourful characters. The new playable persons: Asher Forrester, who became a sell-sword, and another surprise hero (I don’t want to spoil who he is) are both well developed, well fleshed out characters. Mira Forrester and Garred Tuttle will continue their journey as well, so in the second episode we will control as much as four playable characters.

Choose your words and blade moves carefully!

Those four characters are not only be very different regarding their personality, but they also must control different kind of situation, so the second episode has a nice variation to its gameplay, which was perhaps a bit lacking in former Telltale games, like The Wolf Among Us for example. While Mira should very carefully chose her answer in her conversations in King’s Landing, we will have quite a bit of sword slinging with Asher in Yunkai and sword and crossbow practicing with Garred at the Wall.

I have found the sword fight sequences both a bit awkward and too fast to control. I am not really fond if quick time events, especially in a game, where I can’t always replay the events to have a better outcome of the situation, and where my clumsiness may matter quite a bit as well.

It looks nicer this time

The foggy, cold northlands of Westeros, the sun-drenched Yunkai, and the splendid gardens of King’s Landing all look a bit prettier this around, and I noticed a bit of an amelioration regarding the textures of character’s skins and clothes as well. There was however some strange issues with the depth of field in this episode, especially regarding some parts of the environments or personages, which were a bit blurry, when they were clearly supposed to be in focus. Mira’s animation is also strange sometimes. Still the overall quality of the visuals are a bit better this time around.

Trust no one, always watch your back!

Overall I found this episode just as enjoyable as the first one – perhaps even a bit more. The shocking ending of Episode One gave you a taste how every Forrester is in mortal danger and how a wrong answer or slow reaction while sword fighting can be both fatal. Well… it’s the Game of Thrones after all…

-BadSector-

Editor: Telltale Games

Developer: Telltale Games

Genres: adventure, action,

Publication: February 3 2015