Tabletop games are back in style, and Game of Thrones-licensed tabletop games are no exception. However, the newest, Game of Thrones: Oathbreaker, doesn’t require much of you and your friends’ time — just 30-45 minutes according to the press release sent to mark its going on sale, with five to eight players required to bring the game to life.
That means you can play a couple of games, changing characters each time, in one night. The game lets you play as 12 characters, each with their own unique abilities. And you can mix and match eras of the show, with characters like Ned Stark able to face off against Margaery Tyrell even though they never interacted onscreen. Much like the other new GoT game coming down the pipeline, the mobile RPG Beyond the Wall, strategy is required.
Check out some of the character cards and the game itself below:
Image provided by Dire Wolf Digital
Yes, you can play as Sansa Stark, too, although her skill isn’t revealed in the press kit. Jon Snow, meanwhile, seems to have only been a pre-order bonus. Everyone else seems to be available with the game that’s now on sale.
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As regards the Iron Throne, players choose to be either loyalists or conspirators, with one exception: someone plays as King (or Queen) of the Seven Kingdoms. Since the game is described as involving “social deception,” who is in what role sounds like it’s meant to be concealed.
Missions provide different kinds of cubes, including reward cubes — which is how you play your special skill. For example, Melisandre can shift which missions play out in a round:
Image provided by Dire Wolf Digital
Margaery, meanwhile, can team up with someone else, a power similar to but not exactly like Jon Snow’s. Note it takes three cubes, much like his ability.
Image provided by Dire Wolf Digital
Ned is the same way, where he can work in concert with another player (although again, if you’re playing, you don’t know who is whom):
Image provided by Dire Wolf Digital
It seems, however, that being a loyalist or conspirator isn’t tied to your character. Can you imagine Ned as a conspirator working together with someone like Daenerys Targaryen? It seems like it’s possible within the constraints of the game.
Of course, what would a Game of Thrones game be without Tyrion Lannister? His skill is a little more personal, and only costs two cubes:
Image provided by Dire Wolf Digital
Here’s what one side of the board looks like — it’s double-sided:
Image provided by Dire Wolf Digital
If you look closely, you can see some of the other characters who are playable: Daenerys Targaryen, Theon Greyjoy, Olenna Tyrell, Stannis Baratheon and Arya Stark. Another picture not provided but on Dire Wolf’s site shows Yara Greyjoy and Jorah Mormont as well.
Sure, there are some different concepts at work, including those missions and the different types of cubes, plus Chaos is a mechanic, but everything suggests that this is an easy-to-pick-up game that might very well be difficult to master.
It’s on sale for $35 now, both online and in gaming stores. If you pick it up and try it, let us know how it plays and if you like it!
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