Game of Thrones: Episode Three - The Sword in the Darkness Reviews
The Sword in the Darkness is the best of Telltale's Game of Thrones episodes yet, and sets up what will no doubt be a dramatic second half of the season.
Despite the lack of choices, Game of Thrones: Episode 3 is probably the best episode of the bunch. It gives its main characters more purpose, tightens the overarching plot, and moves at a much faster pace than the last two episodes. Thanks to many truly impassioned moments, Episode 3 will leave you full of anxiety and wanting to jump right into the next episode. If you have enjoyed the first two episodes, you should definitely pick up Game of Thrones: Episode 3 – The Sword in the Darkness.
In short, I need a chill pill right about now. On the plus side, it looks like I finally made it to the fourth state of grief — anger — after wallowing in sadness through the first couple of chapters. As I mentioned in my reviews of "Episode 1: Iron From Ice" and "Episode 2: The Lost Lords," Telltale's interpretation of Game of Thrones continues to elicit a strong emotional response with its writing. Even the quick-time combat, which I normally don't like, felt good this time because I was able to relieve some stress by implementing my martial plan on some dudes. Will it bite me in the behind at some point? Who knows? One issue I have with the series so far is that choice feels more like an illusion sometimes. The drama continues to deliver, though, making Episode 3 a solid point-and-click adventure.
We're now officially halfway through Telltale's trip through Westeros, and the twists and turns show no signs of stopping.
Fans of the books and TV series will love taking part in Martin's world.
It's still impossible to recommend this series to anyone but Telltale diehards; fans of the HBO show will find it supremely unsatisfying and dreadfully boring, and it's too steeped in lore for anyone else to jump in. The Sword in the Darkness does nothing to change that, but it does push the quality bar just a hair higher, elevating itself all the way into "I guess that wasn't terrible" territory.
While Episode 3 of Telltale's A Game of Thrones still has some problems, it's certainly learning more about how the Game of Thrones narrative progresses. Its low points are still kind of disappointing and boring, but its high points are truly phenomenal. It's these set pieces like the fight with the dragon, the standoff against an invading house, and the fated confrontation atop the wall, that make Episode 3 a treat to play and make me very excited to see what Telltale has in store for Episode 4.
At this point, the only reason I can see for people who enjoy Telltale Games' titles, and the Game of Thrones franchise to not pick this game up is because they're waiting for all six episodes to be available.
A very good continuation of the story then, but I hope and suspect that the "holy s**t" moments will come in Episodes 4 and 5.
The overall story is still interesting enough to leave us anticipating, but much like how fans wish those damn dragons would cross the sea already, it would be in this game's best interest to hurry things along.
Following a disappointing Episode 2, The Sword in Darkness puts Telltale's Game of Thrones back on track and sets the stage for an intriguing second half.
But the pacing has been strong so far, and if the second half of the season starts to set in motion a potential end to the conflict - or at least make the success of the Forrester clan look like a realistic possible outcome - this could end up being one of Telltale's very best seasons.
Episode Three fulfills all the promises it needs to for fans of the Game of Thrones TV series, even if it doesn't necessarily give old school adventure game fans much to actually do in terms of interactivity.
The flames of my attention are beginning to wane, my empathy draining, especially with the return of HBO's flagship show. The next episode will need to step it up, in terms of story and in finding a way for me to care about the Forresters again. As of now, this family is coming across as decidedly wooden, in need of a chop.
Even though the episode is quite short, it's quite a powerful release from Telltale Games as you attempt to make the right decisions which you hope will have the least resistance in the future for the Forresters but even the best laid plans of mice and men do go awry. With that said, there's some action scenes in this episode for Garred Tuttle that has a huge consequence for this ex-squire as this series goes into overdrive. All in all, another hit from Telltale Games, especially if you're a fan of HBO's Game of Thrones!
This was another great installment that should please both fans and those new to the series alike.
With 'A Sword in the Darkness,' 'Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series' is making great progress. Blasphemous though it may be, I'm beginning to like the series even more than their 'Walking Dead' project, and that is also an excellent franchise. Like any great episodic game, high quality episodes make me wait for the next one even more impatiently.
Telltale can and has done great things for the Game of Thrones fiction. But scope is what propelled this fictional world into the cultural phenomenon it it is today. If the games hope to be considered worthy additions to the phenomenon, they'll need to take advantage of that vast world, and all its opportunities for original storytelling. While also remembering that we'd like to see a bit more than the bottom of a Whitehill's shoe.
After two episodes of build-up, we finally get some narrative progression in Episode 3. Choices are starting to matter, the dangers becoming more immediate, and the decisions harder to make. Along with effective use of the TV show's soundtrack at key points, it makes the The Sword In the Darkness the best episode yet, and a fine half-way mark for Telltale's series.
At this midway point, Game of Thrones is showing much promise, enough to invest in a season pass if you're any kind of fan. It's been a steady drip-feed so far but The Sword in the Darkness feels like a dam ready to burst and with three more episodes to come there's plenty of room for it to flow.