Game of Thrones Winter is Coming is an officially licensed browser game of the MMO variety that takes place within the exceedingly popular Game of Thrones universe. While the game itself can’t shake the basic gameplay and free to play traps that this genre is known for the visual presentation and tie in to popular culture propels Game of Thrones Winter is Coming far ahead of similar titles. The game is also available through the GTArcade micro desktop app.
Playing as your very own lord with John Snow inspired looks you’ll have to manage your lands, build the necessary structures, command troops and step out into the world of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones franchise. Along the way familiar characters such as Melisandre and the Maester clan will guide the players hand towards certain activities to ensure the survival of your people.
Several other notable characters make an appearance and can even be recruited to your cause as you advance through the campaign element of Game of Thrones Winter is Coming which as one would expect follows your adventure as you prepare for the upcoming winter. Alongside the familiar names a number of new characters are introduced such as the lady Sheila as to not create an experience inconsistent with the book and television franchises. Location wise the game sticks closely to 5 main locations of Winterfell, The Eyrie, Casterly Rock, King’s Landing and Storm’s End.
The central element to your booming kingdom is of course your Castle which is upgraded early in the first chapter of the campaign and influences the overall size of your kingdom, the commanders you can have and the other structures that are available to you. This Castle presence is paired with structures such as Warehouses that prevent resources from being stolen by raiders, Barracks to train a range of troop types and the important Rookery that provides scouting abilities to your kingdom. All of this is supported with the usual array of resource generating structures of Farmland, Lumberyard, Quarry and Mines to create the resources of food, wood, stone and gold respectively.
Scouting plays a pivotal role in Game of Thrones Winter is Coming both through the PvE and eventual PvP elements that you’ll reach. This is due to the scout reports including a range of information such as deployed troops, the defensive structures (walls, traps and watchtowers) and the strength of cavalry, bowman, infantry and spearman. Once scouted players can send their troops to march on a location by selecting a unique commander to lead the battle along with the number of troops and types being used for the battle.
This is where careful strategy can come into play with commanders having their own equipment and each unit having a direct counter. While the game does feature an automated combat system players can switch to manual to change the formation of their troops which can sometimes mean the difference between victory if your army sizes are similar.
Victory in the PvE campaign will yield resources but also additional land for building new structures to grow your kingdom and tackle the increasingly difficult rebel enemies. As you progress even further PvP and the alliance system are unlocked where you can raid resources from other Game of Throne fans.
Overall Game of Thrones Winter is Coming offers a leading experience in the MMO strategy genre with its crisp visuals, Game of Thrones tie ins and strategic combat.
Summary:
- Realistic representations of characters and factions thanks to official licensing.
- Fantastic Game of Thrones loading screen art featuring familiar characters.
- Based around 5 familiar locations of Winterfell, The Eyrie, Casterly Rock, King’s Landing and Storm’s End.
- Recruit commanders, level them up and equip them with their own gear.
- Build an army based on scouted information to optimise your chances of success.
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Review Platform: Browser
Waylander
Be very very cautious about spending money in this game, GT are thieves and misrepresent there packs, I felt this first hand. Spend 100 diamonds ($10US) and get 100 black tickets to use after the event is over (I was half asleep or never would have got it). They said you can use it to buy packs, but failed to inform you anywhere that only a small percentage of packs are obtainable (mainly the ones no one wants).
They must have had a lot of complaints as a few days later I get a bunch of discount vouchers and extra black tickets, but by this time I have already sent in 2 complaint tickets.
Heres the kicker, I later find out that they also altered the tickets so they now have an expiry, BUT they dont let you know that. So in the end (and after another complaint ticket) I’m scammed out of $10 US, have nothing to show for it and told them until they return it, I wont spend anymore real money on the game. So for ripping me off $10 they have probably lost on around $50 in the meantime (not to mention how other players have reacted).
Worse part is the ones who read the complaint tickets have no english comprehension as there replies are directions where to find your tickets listed (even thought at start there was no where). But having ALL the tickets expired means I cant see them anyway, So be warned, gtarcade use trick terminology to scam you out of your money and give you basically nothing in return.
Rod H Powell
I played this game for 4 months. Worked my tail off to get my Power up. Then a player came into my world, and just decimated my Army destroying all my work. So there are no checks and balances on who can do what. Advanced players can visit your Kingdom and just destroy everything you have worked for. I was furious. DON’T waste your time with this game.