Game of Thrones: War for Westeros – A Familiar Yet Uninspiring RTS Experience
As I navigated through a series of skirmishes in Game of Thrones: War for Westeros, an RTS inspired by HBO’s iconic series, I found myself pondering a singular question: “But why?” This game, while technically sound, seems to miss the mark in capturing the essence that made both the television show and the original books a cultural phenomenon.
Set to release in 2027, the timing feels off. The series wrapped up in 2019, leaving behind a final season that even the most ardent fans had to concede was lackluster. Meanwhile, HBO has shifted its focus to prequels like House of the Dragon and the engaging A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which have garnered more attention and excitement.
Instead of venturing into new territory, War for Westeros revisits the familiar struggle for the Iron Throne. Players can command a miniature Kit Harington, listen to the gravitas of Charles Dance’s narration, or enjoy a rendition of The Rains of Castamere while managing resources and building structures. However, these elements feel too recent to evoke nostalgia, yet not fresh enough to spark genuine excitement.
Despite the show delivering some of the most memorable battles in television history, the RTS format here does not leverage the source material’s strengths. The grand scale of Game of Thrones battles evokes comparisons to Total War, which has inspired numerous mods. In contrast, War for Westeros adopts a structure reminiscent of Age of Empires or its fantasy counterpart, The Battle for Middle-earth 2.
Gameplay involves constructing buildings to generate resources, which can then be utilized to train troops or research upgrades. Players send armies to capture territories or assault opponents’ headquarters, with the option to build fortifications and siege engines. However, many conflicts boil down to skirmishes between generic soldiers, occasionally led by notable characters from the series.
While there are certainly worse adaptations of the franchise—many of which reside in the mobile gaming realm—War for Westeros feels disappointingly straightforward. Its simplicity might even lead one to wish for a more outlandish concept, perhaps a brothel management game featuring Littlefinger.
Unlike Age of Empires, which boasts a variety of unique civilizations, or The Battle for Middle-earth 2, filled with fantastical creatures, War for Westeros primarily features standard infantry units. Players can expect squads of spearmen, swordsmen, and a few elite Night’s Watch warriors.
In the preview, only two factions were available: the Starks and Lannisters. The Starks, while conventional, can deploy direwolves alongside their troops, while the Lannisters focus on economic strategies, including a debt mechanic for rapid expansion. Although there are distinctions between factions, they often lack the excitement one might hope for, such as a slight increase in gold costs for better swordsmen.
Perhaps I am being overly critical. There are indeed unique units, faction-specific upgrades, and special mechanics, but they all come across as rather uninspired. The gameplay feels dry, lacking the vibrancy that fans of the series might expect.
The nature of this RTS limits the potential for memorable battles akin to the Battle of the Bastards or the grand clashes seen in Total War. While larger armies can be fielded after upgrades, the aesthetic choices make it challenging to engage with the action. However, the physicality of cavalry charges does add a layer of excitement, sending infantry units scattering in their wake.
The core issue lies in the absence of a compelling hook. This game adheres closely to conventional RTS mechanics, and although the genre is currently facing challenges, there are alternatives that offer more engaging experiences. Titles like Age of Empires 4, Age of Mythology: Retold, or Tempest Rising present richer gameplay options.
Ultimately, the Game of Thrones branding alone may not suffice to elevate the experience. Perhaps the campaign will introduce more flavor, especially with the inclusion of the Targaryens and the Night King factions, but as it stands, the gameplay feels safe and predictable.
