When it comes to licensed games, opinions are bound to vary from one person to another, at times even going to opposite extremes. One might believe a game to be an absolute gem while another will consider the same game to be nothing but trash. Why is it so? We are, after all, talking about the same thing. I know subjectivity comes into play when we appraise the value of just about anything, it’s only fair that games would be included in the lot. Is it possible then, considering this, to determine the real value of licensed games?

 

Let’s try to think this through from an objective perspective.

 

 

If we leave opinion behind, which negative attributes justifie tagging a licensed game as being bad? The first attribute that comes to mind is poor gameplay. But flawed gameplay is a no-brainer reason, regardless of if the game is licensed or not. What we need to focus on is attributes that concern the license aspect of our subject.

 

Two things come to mind then. First, a licensed game is flawed if the license only serves to embellish the gameplay. Second, a licensed game is bad if the game strays away from what the license represents. In other words, a licensed game should have players reenacting bits of the books, series, films the license comes from. And at the very least, things should feel appropriate. I guess the best indication of a licensed game being good would be your average players relating to the game through both the license and the gameplay.

 

With all this being said, is Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming a good licensed game?

 

 

Without giving it too much consideration, my first answer would be a definite yes (What can I say? I’m easy). But if I’d think on it a bit more, I’d have to say “Ok, yeah it is a good licensed game, but only to a certain extent or, at least, not until you get to a certain point”. Let me explain.

 

When you start playing, your main objective is to bring your House to power and you do that by managing your castle, by recruiting units, and by leveling up your lords and commanders. All of which are Game of Thrones-ish, don’t get me wrong. But you will need to attain a certain level of power before you really start to fight for the control of Westeros. And the political aspect of the game (intrigues is what truly defines Games of Thrones as far as I’m concerned) only really comes into play when you reach the endgame. Once you get there though, the game gets pretty awesome!

 

So, after taking everything we’ve said into consideration, we have no choice but to come to this conclusion: there ain’t one good method to judge a licensed game besides leaving things to subjectivity. It really boils down to how much someone relates to a license. Not only will people develop an attachment to a license (or not), they will do so for various reasons. While I think Game of Thrones is defined by intrigues, someone else might think that being able to play Arya and Jon Snow is what makes Game of Thrones: Winter is Coming the best game in the world. At the end of the day, it really comes down to the one and only important factor: having fun. If you have fun, then it shouldn’t matter what other people think. Press start, log in and just keep playing!