HBO's 'Game of Thrones,' based on George R.R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' novels, became a global phenomenon after its 2011 premiere. It set a record for the most Emmy Awards won by a drama series with 59 wins, and its popularity remains so enduring that spin-off series are still being produced even after the conclusion of its eighth season.

Now, 'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad,' an open-world action RPG developed by Netmarble Neo based on this massive IP, is gearing up for its domestic release.

Chaos Surrounding the Iron Throne: Westeros in Season 4

To fully enjoy Kingsroad, it is helpful to first understand the situation in Season 4 of the show, which serves as the game's backdrop.

For readers unfamiliar with the original novels or the show, 'Game of Thrones' is a dark fantasy series centered on a power struggle for the Iron Throne on the fictional continent of Westeros. Its core appeal lies in its focus on human intrigue, betrayal, and visceral combat involving steel, ice, and fire, rather than mystical magic—all set in a world where no character is ever truly safe.

Season 4 marks the effective conclusion of the 'War of the Five Kings.' The massive civil war, which saw five factions vie for the Iron Throne, tilted decisively in favor of House Lannister following the 'Red Wedding,' where the King in the North, Robb Stark, and most of his family were massacred. Control of the North has passed to House Bolton, while the surviving Starks are scattered, their fates uncertain. Meanwhile, beyond the Wall, the threat of the White Walkers is becoming increasingly tangible, leaving the Night's Watch to face this encroaching danger with a critically depleted force.

A Story Unique to Kingsroad That Goes Beyond the Original

The protagonist of Kingsroad is an original character not found in the source material. They are the bastard child of House Tyre, a Northern knightly house loyal to the Starks, who becomes the sole heir to their family after losing their siblings at the Red Wedding. The game begins as the protagonist heads to Castle Black to meet their uncle, a member of the Night's Watch.

The development team's reasoning for choosing an original protagonist is clear. Executive Producer Jang Hyun-il stated that a core premise of development was, "We must not simply follow the drama." They judged that rather than repeating a story fans already know, it would be more valuable for players to personally experience events that occurred between the major plot points of the original work.

For example, it works like this.

'Just before the clash between Westeros and the threat beyond the Wall, who exactly rallied the support of those many houses?'

Stories hidden behind the events that unfolded in the show are brought to life through Kingsroad. Having experienced the game firsthand during the CBT, this design works quite effectively. Familiar faces like Jon Snow and Samwell Tarly appear as characters, and locations and events that will delight fans are naturally woven into the narrative.

Fans of the original will be driven by the anticipation of "who will I meet next?" while those unfamiliar with the series will find the original narrative of Kingsroad immersive enough on its own.

Westeros in the Game, Breathing with the Spirit of the Original

The first thing one notices about the fidelity of Kingsroad is the environment. The gray stone walls of Winterfell, the bleak encampment of Castle Black, and the 700-foot-tall Wall—the spaces seen in the show have been recreated for players to explore firsthand.

It goes beyond mere visual similarity; each region possesses its own unique atmosphere and environmental details. From the biting wind beyond the Wall to the noise of the streets in King's Landing and the half-burned letters left in ruined camps, every space creates the feeling that the world of Westeros truly exists.

The way original characters appear is also natural. Familiar figures like Jon Snow, Samwell Tarly, and Ramsay Snow appear during the protagonist's journey, placed in ways that fit their circumstances without feeling forced.

It is also worth noting that through collaboration with HBO, the developers have implemented regions that existed only in lore and never appeared on screen. For fans, the ability to walk through locations that were only ever mentioned in the show is an experience in itself.

Three Classes Faithful to the Original

Kingsroad offers three classes: Knight, Mercenary, and Assassin. Interestingly, each class goes beyond simple job categorization, drawing motifs from the identities and combat styles of iconic characters from the original work.

The Knight is modeled after the Kingsguard of Westeros and the archetypal knight. They utilize a balanced combat style, employing both two-handed sword techniques and swift dual-wielding. It is easy to understand if you think of traditional Westerosi knights like Jon Snow or Jaime Lannister. With high accessibility, they are capable of stable play in any content.

The Mercenary is inspired by characters like the wildling Tormund or Gregor Clegane (The Mountain). They are characterized by heavy attacks with two-handed axes and exhilarating combat using gauntlets. While they are the slowest of the three classes, their impact per hit is overwhelming.

The Assassin is inspired by Arya Stark and the 'Faceless Men' of Braavos. Utilizing twin daggers and a rapier, they are capable of the fastest, most agile combat of the three classes. Their core playstyle involves stealth and rear-ambush tactics to land powerful preemptive strikes.

All three classes can execute a variety of actions by combining light and heavy attacks, with combat centered on reacting to enemy movements in real-time through a mix of parrying, dodging, and skill usage. Players can freely switch between two primary weapons and one ranged weapon during battle, providing ample tactical options. As observed during the closed beta test (CBT), the combat design focuses on the impact of cold steel rather than excessive magical effects, effectively capturing the gritty atmosphere of the original 'Game of Thrones.'

Winter is Coming to Westeros

For fans of the show, the ability to walk through the spaces of Westeros is reason enough to pay attention to Kingsroad. The design, which faithfully adheres to the original while adding an original narrative, the three classes that embody the identities of iconic characters, and the developers' determination to fill in the blanks of Westeros that fans have never stepped into before—everything Kingsroad puts forward is enough to stimulate the expectations of fans.

'Game of Thrones: Kingsroad' is scheduled to launch its PC version in early access on May 14, followed by the official service launch on May 21. A nickname reservation event will begin on May 8, offering a prime opportunity to secure unique nicknames or even the names of popular characters from the 'Game of Thrones' IP. Winter is coming to Westeros.

"Winter is coming"