More than a few surprises.
Telltale’s newest episodic series, based on the massively popular Game of Thrones franchise, hit the ground running in 2014. Thanks to an established property and razor sharp writers episode one ensured this was going to be a vital part of the expanded universe rather than a simple side story, and I’m glad to say that episode two delivers on that promise – and then some. In fact, I don’t think it’s unfair to say that The Lost Lords might just be Telltale’s best episode yet, in any of their games.
Storyline:
Spoilers for Game of Thrones Episode 1 follow…
Iron from Ice, the premiere episode of Game of Thrones, established that Telltale weren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in this, the dirtiest world around. Their cavalier attitude to the lives and ongoing life of their main characters set the stage in a bloody manner. With that in mind, I entered episode two a lot less cocksure than before. It’s daunting and humbling in equal measure knowing that any of your playable characters can receive a dagger to the back at pretty much any moment, and it’s this eternal tension that serves The Lost Lords well.
Westeros is recovering from some seriously bloody events when we regroup with the Forrester clan. Ethan, the littlest lord who I was sure was going to stick around for the long haul, is being prepared for the funeral pyre, and his siblings are coming to terms with the fact that their family is now well and truly broken. In a fantastic opening, the player is introduced to (presumably) the last of the lost Forresters, and suffice it to say they are great characters to get to know. There’s a wicked early surprise that had me a little more inclined to forgive the cruel end to the season premiere, and enough twists and turns to hook me throughout the two hour playtime.
Taking control of Asher Forrester – a banished brother – proves to be great way to learn about the history of the family and also get a view of the world across the Narrow Sea. I’m incredibly excited to learn more about this roguish outcast and his interesting companions, though the story at home didn’t disappoint either. This pattern of interesting and worryingly-likeable characters continues throughout the entire episode, padding out what was once a small group whilst also giving us more time to get to know the main players. It’s an intricate balance that is pulled off flawlessly, and it echoes George R.R. Martin’s ability to create an immensely large but entirely fascinating and personable cast.
Gameplay:
Another feature that seems ripped right from the Game of Thrones books is their propensity to jump from character to character, telling a multi-angled tale simultaneously. In the wrong hands this could come off as erratic, but Telltale are understandably masters of their craft now, and this fast paced approach works wonderfully, keeping every moment interesting and – more importantly – interconnected. Every action has consequences, and it’s a tense and exciting feeling to know that these results might, for the first time, be felt miles away in the shoes of another character. Telltale have always chased the ‘butterfly effect’ narrative device, but it’s never been so competently implemented as it is here.
Besides those ever important decisions – of which there are plenty, each as painful as the last – The Lost Lords also features the usual stable of Telltale gameplay features. An early brawl sets the stage for the tightest Telltale experience yet, with a lightning fast fight full of intuitive QTE events making sure every player is on their toes. Thankfully Telltale seem to have retired the tiresome open areas, for the most part. Occasionally you’re allowed to investigate a scene and interact with a handful of objects, but these are limited and well implemented plot devices rather than tedious galleries to poke through. Game of Thrones seems to be leaning more towards an interactive story than trying to call itself a game anymore, and it’s a change that trims the fat in a very satisfying way.
- 1 2
You must be logged in to post a comment.