Telltale Games have delivered another stellar chapter of storytelling with Game of Thrones: The Lost Lords. After the shocking events that concluded Iron From Ice House Forrester is reeling from the devastation wrought onto it by The Red Wedding. This chapter sees you playing as some old faces from chapter one in decidedly slower paced adventures, but the real meat of the episode comes with the two new protagonists of the chapter.
Let’s get something out of the way; Rodrik Forrestor is alive, and very badly beaten. His survival proves to be the biggest surprise of the chapter and it happens very early into the whole ordeal. He’s half the man he used to be, and left to be the head of a House in complete shambles after Ethan’s death at the hands of Ramsay snow. Game of Thrones has always dealt with misfortune in interesting ways, but with Rodrik, Telltale puts you in control of a disadvantaged warrior.
You feel great pain as you’re pushed around in almost every scene, and my heart truly broke by some of the choices I felt compelled to make out of weakness. Even a moment longer as the limping leader would have been excoriating, but Telltale makes you languish in his servitude.
Alternatively we have Asher. The banished son of the house who almost took the entire family to war, and you can feel it in his portions of the chapter. He is filled with energy and bloodlust. If he ever makes it back from Yunaki in one piece, he’ll have Ramsay Snow’s balls.
Asher’s portions show Telltale further expanding on their action set pieces and making them play like seamless quick time events. At the episode’s introduction you’ll feel your heart pounding as you fight legions of masked guards in an attempt to collect a bounty. It’s some of the best gameplay produced by the company.
Meanwhile Mira’s portions play on the deceptive side of Westeros. Showing that only the most sleuthy can survive in Kings Landing, you get to play everyone around you for your own goals. It’s decidedly different and works to break the mold.
Whereas Gerad’s segments as he joins the Knight’s Watch felt like more of drag than anything in the entire episode, with tasks that seem menial and a story that doesn’t really progress.
It’s hard to fault Telltale Games’ The Lost Lords because its one of the most authentic Game of Thrones experiences out there. Within every moment you feel invested in different parts of Westeros with varying degrees of power. Some stories feel more important than others, and depending on what you’re looking for I reckon you might have a very different experience than I did, but no matter what type of gameplay you’re looking for The Lost Lords has it to offer. The compelling story and masterful attention to detail ensure you’ll be engaging in an adventure unlike any other.
This series has proven once again that Telltale Games have become masters of their own craft. The voice of Game of Thrones feels authentic and substantial. The game plays like the best and worst parts of the series, and I mean that in the highest regard. It is nothing short of a masterpiece, and despite a little lull in the back half of the second act, I can’t recommend it enough.
And for those of you unable to play the game yourselves, here’s a handy Let’s Play: