Game of Thrones: War for Westeros isn't even out yet and it already feels ancient

Summary

Game of Thrones: War for Westeros hasn't even been released, yet it already feels ancient according to this hands-on preview. The author played several skirmishes and came away disappointed, describing the RTS as competent but soulless, failing to capture the essence of the HBO series and the novels that inspired it. Built on traditional RTS mechanics—gathering resources, building bases, and commanding armies—it is functional but unimaginative, with visuals and systems that seem dated. The author also notes that character designs lack distinction, units feel mass-produced, and combat is dull, missing the tension and political intrigue that defined Game of Thrones. The timing also feels off: with classics like Age of Empires IV proving the genre can still innovate, this by-the-numbers take is unlikely to excite anyone beyond die-hard fans. The author criticizes the game for wasting its source material, ignoring the characters' moral complexity and the story's political depth in favor of generic battles. For players, this means yet another licensed game that fails to leverage its franchise's potential; for the industry, it highlights the ongoing problem of adaptations relying on brand recognition rather than creativity. The preview concludes that unless the developers add more personality and modern design, the game will be quickly forgotten. With release rumored to be near…