Reigns: Game Of Thrones

Reigns: Game of Thrones not only expands the original idea by enriching it and giving it new life, but it is easily imposed as the best game based on license.

Reigns is probably the best Game of Thrones game we’ve played to date. Incredible value, no matter what format you’re playing on.

New additions, characters you already love, and the chance to sit on the Iron Throne - Reigns: Game of Thrones is well worth a play.

Reigns: Game of Thrones is probably the best video game adaptation of Game of Thrones. As simple and minimalist it can be, it’s also very deep and crazy immersive. A must-have for all the fans.

Reigns and Game of Thrones look like they were meant to be. The original gameplay was fantastic, and now it makes the most of it with a very respectful approach to the successful franchise.

I don’t love Reigns or Game of Thrones all that much at this point, but Reigns: Game of Thrones combines the two properties in a way that—though simple—is surprisingly enjoyable. It’s fun to feel like you’re in control of Westeros, even if it’s only for a little bit before you meet some terrible demise. There’s enough clever things that Nerial does with George R.R. Martin’s fantasy universe that makes Reigns: Game of Thrones worth checking out if you have any affinity for the show or books.

It might look slight, but there are hours of schemes, conversations and grisly deaths tucked away in this game. Broadening your choice of rulers takes some time, and even the same situations play out differently when Tyrion is in charge rather than Sansa, especially when you’re playing in character. It’s great fun to step into the unenviable position of Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, and a far more enjoyable way to pass the time until the HBO series’ conclusion than combing through the books again for clues.

Reigns: GoT is by no means perfect. It doesn't lend itself to long play sessions thanks to the potential for repetition, which can make the action feel tedious. But that's ultimately a minor quibble for what's a genuinely fun experience: a choose-your-own adventure where you're faced with non-stop decisions and a seemingly endless combination of ways for things to play out.

Perfect for train rides or boring business meetings, Reigns: Game of Thrones is so much better than any other attempt to bring Game of Thrones to video games so far. This is principally because unlike the various attempts to make RPGs and strategy games out of the property, Reigns understands one thing with crystal clarity: Game of Thrones is about making brutal decisions, and then being brutalized for it. This game nails that theme perfectly.

Reigns: Game of Thrones doesn't reinvent the Reigns formula but it certainly gets more out of it than either of the last two games. With clever writing and a deductive approach to ruling from the Iron Throne, it's a great way to revisit the world of Westeros as we await the final season of the show. Just don't stay around for too long or you might find yourself growing bored fighting against the Dornishmen for the umpteenth time.