Believe it or not, it’s been almost a year since we posted a trailer for the final season of Game Of Thrones. And while that season left many fans bitterly disappointed, we’re soon going to notice the void created by the fantasy epic’s absence. The Thrones spinoff series don’t appear to be very far along in production, and George RR Martin remains characteristically cagey about if and when the next book in the series might come out. So, as we ease into the spring and summer of 2020, we may suddenly look around and notice that for the first time in a while, we don’t have new GoT material coming our way. That makes now an interesting time to look back on the games that have been associated with the series. Of course, you can always read the books or watch the show again if you really miss the story. But if you’re merely feeling that pull into Martin’s fantasy world, the games can scratch your itch. The unfortunate thing is that most of the video games based on this series have been fairly underwhelming. But that’s why we’ve taken the time to identify three of them that are worth your time….
1.) Reigns: Game Of Thrones
Reigns was actually a popular mobile game as a standalone original before bringing in Game Of Thrones. It’s essentially a card game built on a swipe system, such that each card presents you with a scenario and the direction in which you swipe it determines your response. The scenarios and the cards themselves have to do with running a kingdom, and balancing various aspects of that kingdom. And along the way, there are plenty of fun, cheeky jokes that keep the game lighthearted. Reigns has branched out considerably since its initial mobile release, not only to other platforms (such as Steam and Nintendo Switch), but also to spinoff games with specific themes. One such spinoff is Reigns: Game Of Thrones, a fun reflection on power and corruption, as Polygon oh-so-seriously put it. The truth of the matter is that this game is very much like the original, but does an excellent job of coating itself in a GoT skin. As simple as it is, it might be the most fun you can have playing a Game Of Thrones video game.
2.) Game Of Thrones Online Slot
When it comes to slot games, a lot of people don’t realize how much quality there really is — or how many themed games there are. In particular, it’s worth looking to some of the casino gaming websites in Canada for examples, because this is where a lot of the best developers’ work is hosted. There’s a healthy selection of casino sites based in Canada, and at any given one of those sites you might find a number of surprisingly engaging slot games. Specifically, Canada’s online slot collection includes themed games based on source material like the Judge Dredd comics, the movie Gladiator, the Hitman game series, and even classic literature like The Invisible Man. There’s a Game Of Thrones slot reel featured at some of these casino sites as well though, and like the Reigns example, it’s enjoyable in its simplicity. In practice this example is a fairly standard slot arcade. But the atmosphere and the icons on the reel invoke Game Of Thrones as effectively as any game out there. Basically, if you enjoy casino games and you just want to immerse yourself in Westeros for a little while, it’s another one to check out (and you can likely access it whether or not you’re in Canada).
3.) Game Of Thrones: Beyond The Wall
This is one of the most recent releases among Game Of Thrones video games. And while it looks at first glance like just another mediocre strategy game (rest assured, there have been several of these), it’s actually got more to offer than the majority of its predecessors. Named for a specific episode of the series, it thrives in a way by limiting the experience to a certain setting and a set range of challenges. One early review of the game covered all of the details and accurately presented a picture of a satisfying RPG experience. Players can choose to control Jon Snow or Daenerys Targaryen, essentially manning The Wall and fighting various wildlings and mystical creatures beyond it. Unlike past Thrones games that tended to lose themselves in the vastness of the series, this one stays relatively small, without feeling stunted. It’s a legitimately satisfying strategy game.