The faces presented in the first episode of Game of Thrones are a mixed bag. At times, they can be spot-on with their representations of the main players from the cast, and others characters can have such an exaggerated caricature of whatever emotion they’re trying to represent. On at least one occasion, I found myself encountering fits of laughter as Margaery’s extenuated smile reminded me of a Cheshire Cat. And Ramsay Snow? Who can say no to a face like his?
From start to finish, the first episode of Telltale’s Game of Thrones will run about two hours. Barely the length of two feature length episodes, far more story gets resolved than any single episode of the show. The political intrigue in Iron From Ice is so thick, you could cut it with a Forrester greatsword. With five varying perspectives from allies of House Forrester, the developing tale has a number of interpretations on the events that take place. Matters that occur at the very onset of the game carry on into later on in the chapter, and the developing outcomes will eventually ripple on into further episodes, similar to the storytelling behind The Walking Dead.
The only two things I felt lacking from Iron From Ice were sex and dragons, both things the television show has in great supply. Instead, I came into the game expecting bloodshed and political intrigue, and boy was I pleasantly surprised. True to the style of previous Telltale games, you’re constantly given a multitude of dialogue choices complete with a small popup that mentions a possible rippling effect in the story. Can’t think of what to say? Being silent is always an option and can sometimes stir up a bit of drama in the conversation.
Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series: Episode One: Iron From Ice, besides being a mouthful, is one of the finer starting points to a new Telltale series I’ve played in quite some time. As both a fan of George R.R. Martin’s written universe and the storytelling pioneers at Telltale Games, Game of Thrones is one of those titles I can’t wait to see more of. Two hours has gone by too soon, and I can only imagine who’s going to die next time I’m able to venture back to virtual Westeros.
[Editor’s Note: Game of Thrones: A Telltale Game Series: Episode One: Iron From Ice was reviewed on the PlayStation 4 platform. Review code was provided to us by the publisher.]
