Game of Thrones: Episode Three - The Sword in the Darkness Reviews
The Sword in the Darkness truly lives up to the first episode after the exposition-filled second and goes to show fans of the Song of Ice and Fire universe that this story is truly worth a place alongside the canon of the series. Now exactly halfway through the season, there's a ton of promise and a lot of foreboding for the remainder of the series. So far the Foresters are getting knocked down and kicked harder and harder and harder… which, much like the Starks, will make it all that much sweeter when they finally have their revenge.
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.
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.
While the actions of many of the characters are full of intensity this episode the debut of Daenerys Targaryen and the evolution of Gared Tuttle make this an experience any real "Game of Thrones" or Telltale fan can't afford to miss.
Sword in the Darkness is a step in the right direction for the series. Sharp, unhurried yet eventful, the disastrous consequences of small decisions means that every conversation is conducted with the utmost care.
If "Episode 2" felt like "a letdown" that was setting up the next episode, "Episode 3" feels like a rush of despair and anger (in a good way) that makes the desire for retribution and justice all the more burning. Fans of the franchise know that such satisfaction is rare (and possibly non-existent), but it doesn't make the yearning for it any less fun.
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.
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.