Game of Thrones: Kingsroad
" Immersive action-adventure RPG with rich Game of Thrones lore but aggressive monetization "
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Review
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a free-to-play open-world RPG set in the beloved Westeros universe, eliciting mixed reactions from players. Fans of the franchise appreciate the rich narrative and faithful world-building, with many praising the story as surprisingly well-crafted and engaging, comparable to AAA titles. The combat system, while initially perceived as casual hack-and-slash, reveals tactical depth rewarding strategic play and character progression.
However, the game is heavily criticized for its aggressive monetization strategy, including microtransactions, pay-to-win elements, and energy systems that gate progression. Technical issues such as bugs, optimization problems, and clunky controls detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, some players find the grind and gameplay enjoyable, especially fans of the GoT lore willing to overlook paywalls and bugs. Community support and ongoing updates provide hope for improvements, but the game’s mobile-port nature and monetization model remain contentious points among users.
Highlights
Players especially praise the immersive Game of Thrones setting and a storyline that respects the source material without relying on fanservice. The game’s open world and detailed locations like Winterfell enhance immersion.
The combat, though simpler than some RPGs, is appreciated for its tactical layers and character build variety. Voice acting and cutscenes receive positive mentions for quality, contributing to a strong narrative experience. Fans enjoy the grind and progression mechanics, finding satisfaction in overcoming challenges through strategic play.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the predatory monetization with pay-to-win mechanics, excessive microtransactions, and slow progression without spending money. Many players find the energy system and gating by momentum frustrating.
Technical issues such as bugs, crashes, enemy hitbox problems, and poor optimization are frequent complaints. Controls and movement, especially horse riding, are described as clunky or awkward. The UI and mobile port design break immersion for some users. Several players regret spending money due to these issues.
Pros
- • Rich and immersive Game of Thrones narrative with strong world-building.
- • Tactical combat system rewarding strategic play and character progression.
- • High-quality voice acting and cutscenes enhance storytelling.
- • Open world featuring iconic locations like Winterfell for exploration.
- • Satisfying character growth and build variety to customize playstyle.
- • Community support and active developer engagement improve experience.
- • Free-to-play model allows gradual progression without mandatory spending.
Cons
- • Aggressive monetization with pay-to-win elements frustrates many players.
- • Energy system and momentum gating create tedious progression bottlenecks.
- • Numerous bugs and crashes disrupt gameplay and immersion.
- • Clunky controls and awkward horse movement reduce enjoyment.
- • Poor optimization causes performance issues and graphical pop-ins.
- • Mobile port UI breaks immersion and feels out of place on PC.
- • Some enemy mechanics and hitboxes feel unfair or buggy.
Rating Criteria
A story-driven action-adventure RPG, bringing the world of Westeros to life with remarkable detail and never-before seen scale.