Game Of Thrones: A telltale series. Episode 6 Xbox 360 Review

CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS

Gared has reached his destination. After a close encounter with a rather angry bear, Gared and his companions have made it to the North Grove. When we arrive there, it instantly becomes clear that its gorgeous exterior does not match the practises of the residents that dwell there. Before we are really told about the power of the North Grove or introduced properly to the characters we meet there, Gared must help them fight off white walkers. Post battle, we do learn more about the leaders of the North Grove and their warriors. However, we are never properly told why this place, as Lord Forrester said in the beginning of episode one, must not be lost. To round off Gared's adventure for this season, the player must make two big decisions, that will test your morality and loyalty. Unfortunately, we do not get to see the consequences of either of these choices, so we must wait until the release of season two, to see how influential these decisions will be.

Events at Kings Landing in this episode start with a confrontation with Margaery, accompanied by a sobbing Sera beside you. How you answer Margaery's questions will show how much you value your fellow handmaidens friendship. After Margaery telling me Sera had been spilling information about in order to keep her position, it was an easy choice. After a rather abrupt end to your relationship with Sera and Margaery, the servant boy Tom once again tries to keep you safe from harm by informing you of a safe place to lay low. The Lannister guards are convinced you are to blame for the death of one of their own back in episode two. Just as things begin to get really interesting, a disappointingly obvious betrayal occurs, which consequently sees Mira end up in jail. It is here where I believe the hardest decision of the game must be made. One of the options delves in to some dark, really uncomfortable territory, while the other is fairly straightforward. Neither option sees a happy ending for Mira, and I am really looking forward to seeing how her story unfolds when season two arrives.

Lastly, we have the conflict at Ironrath. The Whitehills are preparing to take the Forresters home by force. The end of episode five saw you make a huge decision that has made a big impact here. Deciding to let Asher live results in you playing through totally different scenes than if you decide Rodrik should live, and vice versa. This was one of the few decisions in the game where it felt like what I chose really mattered and impacted the game world. Whoever you choose to save, you are able to enact some vengeance on your enemies in whatever way you see fit. Given that this is the Game of Thrones universe, it was clear as events started to play out that this was not going to end pleasantly for the Forrester family. However, there are some good surprises in the final sequences that were rather shocking, and some very gory action. A few short clips after the battle point to what is intended for the second season involving the characters that were situated in Ironrath, but I was left wanting more.

Game of Thrones a Telltale series has been an excellent experience. For someone who does not really play games for their stories, I surprised myself by instantly becoming drawn in to this fictional world. Of course it does help that I am a huge fan of the televisions series, but the game does such a good job of emulating what makes the actual series so good, it was easy to become immersed in. The ending is satisfactory but it was clearly made with a sequel in mind, which I am not a fan of. It also feels that many of the seemingly, 'major,' decisions, did not really make much of an impact at all. Despite some negative points, this game is a must buy for anyone who enjoys the books or television series of Game of Thrones, or anyone who enjoys story driven gameplay in general. Hopefully season two arrives very soon, as I can not wait to see how this story unfolds.