Early Access Review: Game of Thrones: Kingsroad
The rich and mysterious world of Westeros has long fascinated fans across books, TV shows, and now, once again, video games. From George R.R. Martin’s unfinished novels to HBO’s hit series with its divisive ending—and more recently, House of the Dragon—the Game of Thrones universe has rarely ventured successfully into the gaming world.
Perhaps the best-known success was Telltale Games’ narrative-driven series. Now, we have a new title: Game of Thrones: Kingsroad—an early access game that aims to bring the grandeur of Westeros to mobile and PC screens.
However, make no mistake: while ambitious, Kingsroad is not a flawless masterpiece. Instead, it feels more like a mobile game dressed up in PC clothing.
Pricing and Monetization: A Controversial Start
Before diving into the gameplay, it’s important to discuss the game’s business model. Game of Thrones: Kingsroad is a premium title priced at $25.
For that price, you would expect a full, polished experience. But once you enter the game, you’re quickly greeted by in-app purchases and a heavy monetization system.
If you’ve played free-to-play games like Warframe or mobile ports on PC, the approach might feel familiar—but it’s still disappointing. Even in the best games, locking features behind paywalls rarely feels good—and Kingsroad is far from the best game out there.
Will Kingsroad Become Free-to-Play?
Interestingly, Kingsroad seems designed to eventually transition into a free-to-play model.
Players who buy the game now for $25, $50, or $90 gain early access and exclusive cosmetic rewards—things like custom outfits and unique items once the game becomes free for everyone.
The more expensive editions, Deluxe ($50) and Ultimate ($90), also include a 30-day Battle Pass packed with additional perks. However, even the Battle Pass offers a free reward track for regular players, mimicking typical MMO reward structures.
Gameplay Experience: Heavy Grinding and Slow Progress
When it comes to gameplay, Game of Thrones: Kingsroad leans heavily on grinding mechanics.
To gather resources, upgrade equipment, unlock fast travel, or engage in trades, players must grind—sometimes for hours. Even reviving your character after death requires using collected resources.
This exhausting progression system feels frustrating, especially considering this is supposed to be a premium early access title. The gameplay often reminds players of classic free-to-play tactics, where patience (or real money) is essential for meaningful progress.
Single-Player Focus with Limited Multiplayer Content
While Kingsroad does feature multiplayer elements, such as teaming up to defeat world bosses, the overall experience remains heavily focused on single-player content.
For fans who love strong solo campaigns, this could have been a positive point. Unfortunately, the lack of depth and variety in solo activities causes the game to feel repetitive and stale after a while.
Despite having a vast world to explore, missions and encounters quickly start to blend together, robbing the game of long-term engagement.
Worldbuilding and Characters: A Westeros That Feels Alive
On a more positive note, the worldbuilding in Kingsroad is one of its strongest aspects.
Iconic characters from the Seven Kingdoms make appearances throughout your journey. During character creation, players can fully customize their avatar, choosing their look and allegiance.
However, while the presence of familiar faces adds depth, voice acting—especially for your custom character—is underwhelming. The lack of emotional delivery damages the feeling of immersion, making it harder to get truly lost in the experience.
Still, for hardcore Game of Thrones fans, simply being able to roam Westeros again will be enough to create a satisfying, if imperfect, connection.
Final Verdict: A Rough but Promising Start
Game of Thrones: Kingsroad offers a taste of what fans have long wanted—a deeper, richer gaming experience set in Westeros.
But in its current early access form, it struggles with major flaws: aggressive monetization, heavy grinding, underdeveloped multiplayer features, and a repetitive gameplay loop.
While the world and lore remain captivating, and the potential for future improvements is there, right now Kingsroad feels more like a rough draft than a finished epic.
If you’re a die-hard Game of Thrones fan looking to immerse yourself in the Seven Kingdoms once again, you might find enough here to enjoy. But if you’re expecting a polished premium experience worthy of the throne—it’s better to wait and see how this game evolves.
