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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