A Game of Thrones: Genesis

 PC
User Score
4.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 117 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 117
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 117
  3. Negative: 68 out of 117

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  1. MatikTheSeventh
    Oct 11, 2020
    2
    One of the worst, most boring RTS games out there. The gameplay is not engaging in any way, and it's downright boring to play through.
  2. Necrotaur
    Mar 13, 2013
    3
    Game of Thrones: Genesis somehow manages to make rock-paper-scissors mechanics overly complicated. You've got spies, which can see guardsmen, and guardsmen protect against envoys, who ally with towns, unless the town has a secret agreement with your enemy, because then it's only a FAKE agreement, and you'll never know unless you send your own spy in, so you'd better clear out the guardsGame of Thrones: Genesis somehow manages to make rock-paper-scissors mechanics overly complicated. You've got spies, which can see guardsmen, and guardsmen protect against envoys, who ally with towns, unless the town has a secret agreement with your enemy, because then it's only a FAKE agreement, and you'll never know unless you send your own spy in, so you'd better clear out the guards with assassins, except make sure the assassin isn't a double assassin because he'll only fake assassinate people and then a princess comes in and makes out with your envoy who... yeah. If that gives you the impression that it's got deep strategy, I apologize, it's really not. Repetitive and needlessly confusing is a better description. It's got a terrible UI and hard to read font that make learning everything extremely difficult. There is some lore there which is interesting enough, but if you're looking for lore, just read the books a fifth time. The game isn't worth it.… Expand
  3. Killertehnoob
    Jul 19, 2012
    0
    Dont buy this game.. just dont. Its a waste of money. gj cyanide.. The game doesnt really look like Westeros.. if you want a real strategy game based on song of ice and fire, play Westeros: Total War mod of M2:TW-Kingdoms. The alpha version is out and they are bringing something new to the previews every weekend!
  4. xveganrox
    May 4, 2012
    0
    Really, really, painfully bad. A tragic abuse of the GoT IP, although this abomination would be unforgivable under any name. Terrible, late-90s graphics? Check. Lack of any sort of compelling storytelling (including no cinematics)? Check. Horrible, boring "gameplay" mechanics? Check. Avoid this at all costs.
  5. odennsonn
    Apr 25, 2012
    9
    Great innovation in the genre and excellently cached the spirit of westerosi intrigues. Bad aspects are immense graphics in combat and combat in general with no opportunities to develop any type of specific tactic or strategy, but since the game is focusing on intrigues you mostly win or lose before combat even begins.
  6. lucipher
    Apr 11, 2012
    0
    The controls are horrific, unresponsive, or just plain broken. You simply do not have the information you need visible when you need it. Things happen with your units, and you're never notified. It's extremely frustrating when critical unit dies, and it isn't until late in the game when you happen to notice its not where you left it, and you have no idea what happened to it.

    The combat is    The controls are horrific, unresponsive, or just plain broken. You simply do not have the information you need visible when you need it. Things happen with your units, and you're never notified. It's extremely frustrating when critical unit dies, and it isn't until late in the game when you happen to notice its not where you left it, and you have no idea what happened to it.

    The combat is ridiculous. For such a slow-paced game, I feel that the combat is virtually uncontrollable and even large engagements are over far too quickly. No formations, no tactics, not even the ability to actually see what's going on during a fight. Mass up a bunch of army guys and throw them at an enemy target. Hope you win. Where is the fun in that? It takes so long to get to this point that it's even more disappointing that the end-game basically turns into a roll of the dice / mash fest.

    Lastly, the bugs. Oh...the bugs. Units getting permanently stuck and refusing to move. Enemy armies walking right through each other without attacking. I love it when the entire land map flashes black--really immersive. And what is up with the levels reloading from the beginning after you beat them?

    Also beware - Cyanide astroturf posters - paid posters - are on Steam on Metacritic trying to game the score and convince more suckers to buy. Don't be fooled by these scum - this game is rubbish shovelware.    … Expand
  7. Elnet
    Feb 29, 2012
    1
    This game was created by a troll to steal our money, bigger **** i ever seen. I tried this game by 3 hours,, everyday i cry until fall sleep thinking at the poor people that buy this ****
  8. JakeDalay
    Jan 10, 2012
    2
    Well, what can I say. I give it a 2 out of 10, because while it does make some reference to the novels, which I have enjoyed, the gameplay and graphics are so terrible, they make the whole game appear to be little more than a feeble attempt to rip off the growing fan-base of the series with an expensive impulse buy. Do not buy this game, no matter how good the sale, it is a waste of money,Well, what can I say. I give it a 2 out of 10, because while it does make some reference to the novels, which I have enjoyed, the gameplay and graphics are so terrible, they make the whole game appear to be little more than a feeble attempt to rip off the growing fan-base of the series with an expensive impulse buy. Do not buy this game, no matter how good the sale, it is a waste of money, and whats more, time. That being said, if you like games with simple graphics that are absolutely not fun or enjoyable save for a few references to a book series, then by all means, waste your life playing A Game of Thrones: Genesis, and leave the fun games to the rest of us.… Expand
  9. kamryu
    Dec 23, 2011
    3
    1 out of 3 The story to this game is attrocious given what they had to work with it genuinly felt like your basic 1990's strategy story
    1 out of 3 gameplay is slow and basic at best just build the army send them down to siege the enemy and watch thats it very little in terms of real strategy in this game
    1 out of 3 for graphics yes it has them so it gets 1 point are they good or even    1 out of 3 The story to this game is attrocious given what they had to work with it genuinly felt like your basic 1990's strategy story
    1 out of 3 gameplay is slow and basic at best just build the army send them down to siege the enemy and watch thats it very little in terms of real strategy in this game
    1 out of 3 for graphics yes it has them so it gets 1 point are they good or even decent god lord no
    0 out of 1 replay value , Me personaly I regret buying it a Game of Thrones RTS you would think could be done so well in fact you wander how they managed to mess this up as badly as they did, it fails to deliver the atmosphere of the seven realms or the houses you will honestly find yourself at times just zoneing out while playing it it requires very little real strategy to play graphics do not make up for it neither does the single player story it MIGHT be interesting in multiplayer depending on who your playing against but even then given its severe lack of variety with units and strategy elements I doubt it    … Expand
  10. Baub
    Dec 15, 2011
    0
    This game... is just disgusting. the game play is the more dull and static thing i have ever seen. not only does it put you to sleep, but if you actually want to win its VERY tedious and annoying. its just an obnoxious game of who can spam the most diplomats and spies and rush them into surrounding territories. the graphics look like theyre from 2002, and to be honest, i woldnt even takeThis game... is just disgusting. the game play is the more dull and static thing i have ever seen. not only does it put you to sleep, but if you actually want to win its VERY tedious and annoying. its just an obnoxious game of who can spam the most diplomats and spies and rush them into surrounding territories. the graphics look like theyre from 2002, and to be honest, i woldnt even take this game if it was FREE, its not even worth the time or memory on my hard drive.… Expand
  11. Korkenzieher
    Nov 10, 2011
    5
    What a waste of the license. Some nice ideas, but the game gets after a few hours of average entertainment very boring. If youre in hope for a dramatic story like in the TV series - forget it...
  12. mgstewart
    Nov 6, 2011
    0
    The major point for me is it is just so boring i can see positives in the game it is just really underdeveloped. Bad graphics and bad gameplay and what totally destorys it is the terrible animations.
  13. terrycyber
    Nov 3, 2011
    8
    Most reviews for this game are sounding like this game's game-play ( the core of most games ), is broken. I don't think the game-play is broken in anyway. Maybe sad enough for large battle rts fans, but that's just how the game plays, different approaches to expand and maintain your zone of influence, doesn't mean the game-play is broken.
  14. wArrior_DoTa
    Nov 2, 2011
    6
    Not a bad game once you get into it, but it did take a while to get past the learning curve. I think some RTS gamers might enjoy GoT:G approach to RTS genre quite a bit - but this is definitely not for everybody. It`s great to see someone is trying to do something different - and not just another Total War clone - however - they should have spent more time developing their ideas andNot a bad game once you get into it, but it did take a while to get past the learning curve. I think some RTS gamers might enjoy GoT:G approach to RTS genre quite a bit - but this is definitely not for everybody. It`s great to see someone is trying to do something different - and not just another Total War clone - however - they should have spent more time developing their ideas and gameplay.
    Visually the game is really nothing special - and it`s really hard to figure out what units are where on the map.    … Expand
  15. Zosimos
    Oct 30, 2011
    0
    OMG I truly hate wasting money on games that steal titles from actual quality works of art. George R.R. Martin should feel personally violated that this hunk of excrement uses the same title as his books. Oh wait, he contributed to this? This does not look positive for him ever finishing the series...

    Overall the game sucked incredibly - I sure wish steam gave refunds!
  16. zomboyd
    Oct 27, 2011
    7
    Not been a strategy game player but loving the world, the game fail s to deliver full perspective on the world and the campaigns fail to drag you into the world and immerse you in the lore and history of one of the greatest places ever written about. The true depth of this game will be found in multiplayer and if a strong base is found here the game will deliver its moneys worth. If likeNot been a strategy game player but loving the world, the game fail s to deliver full perspective on the world and the campaigns fail to drag you into the world and immerse you in the lore and history of one of the greatest places ever written about. The true depth of this game will be found in multiplayer and if a strong base is found here the game will deliver its moneys worth. If like me you are not much of a multiplayer strategy gamer, it is a diversion that really is worth about $20 not the $40 its been charged at currently, If you like multiplayer RTS games then this could be the game for you as it is unlike most strategy games out there as going to war is the wrong way to win the game.....… Expand
  17. makis
    Oct 20, 2011
    2
    Worst way to spend your money, i mean this is a robbery this game would be a hit at the late 90's but come on...30 Euro? 10 Euro and it would still be expensive. Sometimes it reminds me the legendary Z (you must be at least 28 years old to remember that game) but this one sucks big time. The battles are boring,the dialogs are lame, no feeling and especialy those who are fan of the bookWorst way to spend your money, i mean this is a robbery this game would be a hit at the late 90's but come on...30 Euro? 10 Euro and it would still be expensive. Sometimes it reminds me the legendary Z (you must be at least 28 years old to remember that game) but this one sucks big time. The battles are boring,the dialogs are lame, no feeling and especialy those who are fan of the book and the TV series they will be disappointed.… Expand
  18. MJR
    Oct 13, 2011
    0
    Do not let this game spoil A Song of Ice and Fire for you, as this in no way represents the books or TV series. I had a feeling in my gut that this was going to be terrible and unfortunately I was right. I didn't buy it but I did play and, well, it sucked a**. I really have no idea why they would make a game for the series in this particular way. If you were going to do a RTS style song ofDo not let this game spoil A Song of Ice and Fire for you, as this in no way represents the books or TV series. I had a feeling in my gut that this was going to be terrible and unfortunately I was right. I didn't buy it but I did play and, well, it sucked a**. I really have no idea why they would make a game for the series in this particular way. If you were going to do a RTS style song of ice and fire game make it like total war or something. Better yet make an awesome RPG. Just not this garbage.… Expand
  19. RRoels
    Oct 13, 2011
    3
    For the saga fans just a premier of what we are waiting for. For the people who don't know the novel an weak option full of programing mistakes, slow and low graphics. Disappointing...
  20. Hubert
    Oct 10, 2011
    0
    This game is rubbish, it lasted one hour on my hard drive. It is a terrible game and you'd be well advised to save your money. I should have read the reviews here before I purchased it.
  21. bilwit
    Oct 8, 2011
    0
    This would be a decent $10 bargain bin type of gain. Unfortunately for those of us who have spent $29.99 on it, it isn't. What we got was a lifeless game with outdated graphics, coupled with no support or documentation whatsoever.
  22. Tubie
    Oct 7, 2011
    10
    I can see it hard to justify the $40 price tag. In all honesty this game would be much better received at $20. Pricing issues aside, the game tries new things in a genre full of duplicates and tired old paradigms. You can't just gather resources and spam clicks to victory, it is a refreshing take on the genre, more like a bold experiment. Add all this innovation to the lore behind "A songI can see it hard to justify the $40 price tag. In all honesty this game would be much better received at $20. Pricing issues aside, the game tries new things in a genre full of duplicates and tired old paradigms. You can't just gather resources and spam clicks to victory, it is a refreshing take on the genre, more like a bold experiment. Add all this innovation to the lore behind "A song of ice and fire" and you got yourself a great experience if you are the right person. It is not perfect and at $40 I would only recommend this to fans of BOTH RTS and ASOIAF.… Expand
  23. SpectralAnubis
    Oct 6, 2011
    4
    I enjoy RTS games, not as much as RPG's but being fed the tactical base building warcraft style from a early age. One can appreciate a much different approach. However, despite my intrigue A Game of Thrones just doesn't intrigue. The game is not superficial with the a song of ice and fire universe. It's clearly more of a tribute to George R.R. Martins works. Rather than a glorifiedI enjoy RTS games, not as much as RPG's but being fed the tactical base building warcraft style from a early age. One can appreciate a much different approach. However, despite my intrigue A Game of Thrones just doesn't intrigue. The game is not superficial with the a song of ice and fire universe. It's clearly more of a tribute to George R.R. Martins works. Rather than a glorified immersion, which only the books (so far) can deliver. The issue isn't so much in the gameplay, be it lacking in uniqueness. No the real issue is how technically ill-fated this product is. Obvious to anyone with moderate knowledge of game design, this RTS was not ready for release. Cyanide studio attempt to create a simplistic graphical game, only hindered their programming, and localization. A great percentage of games bought simply just didn't work on systems. Be it loading, single-player or Multi-player. Cyanide studio, shouldn't be happy with how porous their release was. They've engineered buggy video games in the past, Loki and Blood Bowl. I can personally live with a few kinks here and there, but having a product, that doesn't function for many users across the spectrum of present technology is absurd. I can live in this DRM era that we gamers have been albeit at times reluctantly pushed into. I cannot live with non-functioning, irresponsible development. Thus we have A Game of Thrones, I do hope the issues are worked within the quagmire of code lies a different take on the RTS gen. I would've liked to have tested this product for Cyanide before it's shoddy release. 4/10… Expand
  24. Xanthostemon
    Oct 5, 2011
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Graphics dont make the game, although, better animations would definately help. I should also point out that I have never read the books, nor have I watched the series, so I have zero predetermined biased opinions of what I would expect from the game, and unlike most other strategy games Ive played, I actually found the story in this one to be rather interesting. There is little I can say that is bad about this game, you can see that tonnes and tonnes of thought went into the mechanics and to accommodate different playstyles, but with all this aside, there is something there I just cannot put my finger on. Balance is perfect between the different units, with most units having multiple functions. Here is where it lost another point for me though. There is just toooo much going on sometimes.. you need lots of units to be efficient, but then you end up having to directly control nearly all of those units individually to get what you want done, there was sooo many times that many of my guys would just be forgotten because I was too busy preparing a bribe on a wandering envoy while trying to assasinate a noble lady so I could influence village with my spy and to be efficient, you need to be doing this in 6 different areas all the while making sure no-one is using underhand tactics on yourself! A more automated option would be nice for some units (Rogues bribing nearby wandering envoys for example) akin to the assassins ambush would help to improve the illusion of life within the game. After a while I got bored because really I was only using one or two units to play trying to be sneaky with them when I *know* I could have been doing so much more.

    The other thing I found is once war has begun, it cannot end, a nice ebb and flow to the game would have been for the war "timer" to increase with the hostilities, and then have some way for it to decrease over time again taking you back to a peaceful era. I felt that you invested so much time and effort into the peace time units only to have them rendered absolutely useless in war left me disapointed and also left me thinking "why didnt I just use all my resources on military and just kill stuff from the get go?" The answer to that question by the way is because the peace time gameplay IS a lot of fun and very sneaky.. just that war can be initiated at ANY time, which makes peope who prefer to play that way losing out big time.

    With all this being said about Graphics etc etc bad etc etc.. no.. no they are not the best.. but the mechanics, and the gameplay, in the right hands, have the potential to open up a whole new genre of strategy games.. oh yeah.. and with a few animation tweaks, it would have been fine..

    So in the end, One point gone for bad animations, another gone for somehow making me bored by giving me toooo many things to do, and another point gone for repetitive sound effects.. theres only so many times you can listen to your Assassin say "Im sorry" before you feel like slapping him in chains for sympathising with the enemy!    … Expand
  25. bigcrazewolf
    Oct 3, 2011
    0
    I thought I was back on my Compaq Presario in the 90's playing a C&C clone, all dreams aside...I did expect more from this game, all the complaints are true bad graphics, rotten interface, sad fact of not being able to save the game when, or where you want....because no one has a RL from time to time, the small family banner every unit has looks almost the same as all the others. Did theyI thought I was back on my Compaq Presario in the 90's playing a C&C clone, all dreams aside...I did expect more from this game, all the complaints are true bad graphics, rotten interface, sad fact of not being able to save the game when, or where you want....because no one has a RL from time to time, the small family banner every unit has looks almost the same as all the others. Did they not look at any of the books? It would of been nice, you know to have names to the towns, castles, or mines. Please don't waste your hard earned money on this game...the owner of the GoT name really needs to find a software company that will do justice for the series, unfortunately I heard the same company is also working on a RPG GoT title.......oh say it ain't so. Next time I even think of running this game I need to remember I have Civ 5...........I had to change my rating after playing this abomination longer.… Expand
  26. keramp
    Oct 3, 2011
    9
    To start out, i have read the manual and gone through the tutorial. Not easy, but i found a lots of stuff to understand.
    It's not a Total war or stracraft ...
    Very strategique but Graphics are poor
    Very addictive in multiplayers mode :)
    I love this game
  27. StefanSasse
    Oct 3, 2011
    10
    I don't know what all people are **** about. I think the main problem is the same as with ADWD: folks expected something that was never promised nor intended to be done. Cyanide did a strategy game in the ASOIAF universe, period. They did not make an interactive version of the books, period. So, the game is interesting, I like it, and if you hoped for something else and bought it blindly,I don't know what all people are **** about. I think the main problem is the same as with ADWD: folks expected something that was never promised nor intended to be done. Cyanide did a strategy game in the ASOIAF universe, period. They did not make an interactive version of the books, period. So, the game is interesting, I like it, and if you hoped for something else and bought it blindly, you're to blame and not the game. It's like buying a washing machine and then complaining that you can't cake bake with it.… Expand
  28. Heavymetal4life
    Oct 2, 2011
    0
    First off you can tell this game is a waste of time cause their is no major critic reviews an its been out almost a week now, Tells you that even big names like PCgamer,IGN,Gamestop wont even waste their time reviewing this Heep of **** Save your money game is worth maybe 5-10 dollars at the utmost, Just padding the pockets of people who release crap like this an as far as I am concernedFirst off you can tell this game is a waste of time cause their is no major critic reviews an its been out almost a week now, Tells you that even big names like PCgamer,IGN,Gamestop wont even waste their time reviewing this Heep of **** Save your money game is worth maybe 5-10 dollars at the utmost, Just padding the pockets of people who release crap like this an as far as I am concerned feel they can slap the faces of their customers by allowing **** like this to go live for sale.… Expand
  29. mrFriendlydog
    Oct 2, 2011
    3
    an interesting "newish" approach to the RTS genre - which does not work that well. insultingly outdated graphics and nearly unusable navigation and interaction elements: soldiers are so tiny that your main game challenge will be figuring out where who or what is running around. the all too narrow zoom level on the cramped and tiny maps isnt helping either.
    as a game concept prototype and    an interesting "newish" approach to the RTS genre - which does not work that well. insultingly outdated graphics and nearly unusable navigation and interaction elements: soldiers are so tiny that your main game challenge will be figuring out where who or what is running around. the all too narrow zoom level on the cramped and tiny maps isnt helping either.
    as a game concept prototype and test candidate for, say, a game theory university: solid, if yet wanting. as a "a song of ice and fire" franchise game: insulting.
    has no game of thrones flair whatsoever. no castle has any other name then "feudal home" which leaves you guessing what things and locations are supposed to be - even if you are a die hard fan of the books. all in all: this game is sadly a total fail. especially when charged 40 euros on steam,. which is 54 USD.    … Expand
  30. Mayavin
    Oct 2, 2011
    9
    While the graphics are not great and the load times can definitely be improved, the intricate web of deceit and espionage covered by the gameplay itself more than makes up for all of that. With some patches to fix the minor bugs, this game might prove to be a little gem in the rough.
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Awards & Rankings

90
#90 Most Discussed PC Game of 2011
63
#63 Most Shared PC Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 40
  3. Negative: 12 out of 40
  1. PC PowerPlay
    Dec 4, 2011
    30
    Revisit the Stupid Ned Stark meme instead. It's much more entertaining. [Christmas 2011, p.68]
  2. CD-Action
    Nov 29, 2011
    60
    Genesis doesn't work for the people who had no idea about 'A Song of Ice and Fire' before the HBO TV series came out. But if you consider yourself a master strategist and miss Good Old Times – buy it. [December 2011, p.94]
  3. GamingXP
    Nov 28, 2011
    72
    With a long campaign, A Game of Thrones: Genesis will captivate fans of the original series in particular. It's not a particularly good-looking game even by strategy standards, though.
    Read full review
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