After a wait that felt longer than winter itself,Game of Thronesseason six has finally arrived.
Specifically, you may turn to Telltale Games officialGame of Thronesadaptation, and thats a fine choice.
The Telltale game is a fine choice, but not the best one.
Martins world fans of this franchise could once only dream about.
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But do you want to know the really funny part?
These games didnt even start off asGame of Thronestitles.
With enemies besetting him on all sides, his thoughts turn to bloodlust and a grand final conflict.
However, the consequences of such actions force him to take a different approach.
One far more unseemly than even the bloodiest battle could ever be.
He shall have to marry his daughter off to a rival for their army.
He shall have to do so for his kingdom.
What separatesGame of Thronesfrom a hundred other great fantasy works is its emphasis on politics and relationships.
Whats funny about that synopsis is that its the exact same description one could apply toCrusader Kings II.
Now, while the term any means necessary typically translates to violence, thats not the case here.
Indeed the more difficult and far more gruesome path to victory inCrusader Kings IIis through politics and sabotage.
But for every path to victoryCrusader Kings IIpresents to you comes a dozen or more consequences.
Your victory in Italy may leave you with lands you are fiscally unable to support.
Even the most noble of actions can turn wicked in an instant.
you might even play out scenarios that recreate every major moment in this worlds mythology.
This incredible understanding of what makes this world tick applies itself to this mod in other ways.
Yet, this mod may not even be the bestGame of Thronesadaptation of them all.
Only this time, you are a common soldier.
You start off in the game as just some guy or girl.
For example: lets say you choose to become a soldier.
Youve fought the full-scale battles of this war on the ground level, but alas your lord has lost.
In fear, you run away and decide to join the king.
In this respect, Clash of Kings is the most completeGame of Thronesadaptation available.
This isnt theGame of Thronessimulator you have always wished forits the one that youve secretly dreaded.
The biggest of these issues is the mods lack of greater diplomacy options.
For instance, Stannis Baratheon seems to have an unusual fondness for waging war in the East.
Its sheer depth and ability to convey the more complicated elements of theGame of Thronesworld remains unmatched.
But is it the best?
What it lacks in sheer depth it makes up for by containing fewer flaws and gaps in content.
Thats what these mods ultimately are.
Theyre tools that allow us to build and play with our most elaborate fantasies.
Matthew Byrd is a freelance contributor.
