Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Game of Thrones: Episode 5 - A Nest of Vipers

By: Robert Murphy


Victory is all too sweet a thing for one to have in the world of Game of Thrones. As soon as I began to feel confident in the previous episode I knew that I was bound for some sort of fall in the next, especially where things were left off for House Forrester. Do not get me wrong though I would do it all over again and relish the sweet taste of minor victories even knowing what happens in “A Nest of Vipers.” Nonetheless, the struggles faced in this latest chapter will prove to test you in a number of ways as all the best plans for the Forrester’s feel less and less certain. It will however prove to make the final chapter for the series one that I will not want to miss out on playing.


The story picks things right back up where they left it off as you square off with Ramsay Snow as he revisits Ironrath when word of what you have been up to reaches his ear. There is plenty of his trademark brutality spread throughout this opening scene and it sets the stage for all the other difficult moments yet to come for the rest of the chapter. What did make Rodrik’s decisions lack luster during your interaction with Ramsay was the fact that you knew no good would come off it. It’s the issue you get with adding characters from the show and putting them against fictional characters that never actually did anything to any of the people we know (and hate) from the show. So all the prompts for dialogue that would lead me to making threats towards Ramsay were frankly disappointing and would make you feel rather empty after even attempting to use them. What’s worse is a small but significant choice you make between the two of you that you just knew would go nowhere as soon as it happens but you suffer through anyways. It’s a very Game of Thrones thing to do.

That being said, not everything was disappointing for Rodrik in this latest chapter. Not only does he rekindle a flame that I thought would never be lit again he also discovers the identity of the traitor that is reporting to the Whitehills on every move they make. It’s a crucial moment in the story as you can potentially end up betraying the trust of some of the people around you by administering justice upon this traitor but it also serves as a triumph for Rodrick who once again stands tall against his enemies. This comes none to soon considering the battles ready to come in the final chapter.


Mira’s part of the story once again feels rather shorter than many of the previous episodes but it is still a difficult one to say the least. Once again you are caught in Cersei’s line of sight and as we all know she does not let up easily. The dialogue between you two is perhaps the most sweat inducing moments I have experience throughout the entire series and that is saying something. Squaring off against her is no easy feat despite how easy Tyrion makes it look half the time but whatever the case you’re tasked with getting information from her brother about his upcoming trial. Tyrion is once again a delight to see and his part in the story is so easy going despite the circumstance and Peter Dinklage hits it out of the park with some spot on voice work.

As for things north of The Wall, nothing too exciting takes place for Gared and his team of deserters as they try to make it to the North Grove. There is some enjoyable action here and the big baddies that I wanted to see in the previous chapter have finally made their appearance. As for everything else, the dialogue was a bit bland as you try to figure out what to do about Cotter’s injuries and the fact his sister seems unwilling to go further north. There was also a particularly annoying hunting aspect to his story as you attempt to use a bow with barely enough of a prompt to allow for any accuracy but hey, who needs food in a snowy wasteland?


Far across the sea, things in Meereen lead you to a promising future. Daenery’s pulls a bit of a 180 on you as the events during the sacking of the city are revealed to her but nothing some more relationship ruining with Beshka couldn’t solve and despite everything you must find the fighters on your own. You are however given enough gold to pay for some fighters and Asher makes his return to Meereen for some good old fashion but kicking. His is a character that continues to shine and he also makes the combat feel quite enjoyable every time I cockily take down whatever is in my way.


What Telltale continues to get right is the fantastic story, just like in the show this second to last episode proves to set the stage for a massive and dramatic finale. The last choice you will make for the episode is a horribly difficult one and it something that George R.R. Martin would be proud to see I believe. If no other choice has made you feel the need to play the story over again then this one may certainly test you on that resolve. “A Nest of Vipers” is chocked full of more twists and turns as House Forrester gets ready for what may be their final hours.


Good:

- Some critical choice that will lead to a great ending

- Mira’s story and her interaction with Cersei and Tyrion

- The final choice at the end of the chapter


Bad:

- Ramsay Snow was far too untouchable

- Gared’s story goes nowhere slowly



Scully Rating: 7.5 out of 10

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