Why do we get choices if they don't make a difference? Spoilers included towards the end.
This was my very first telltale game, and I absolutely LOVED my first play through! It was great! Well, except that [Spoiler alert] pretty much everyone died. My husband was playing at the same time and pointed out things I missed (the medicinal herbs and bandages in Ironrath that Gared could take). I played again with my new knowledge.
I refused to speak for house Forrester with Tyrion, he forced me to go anyway. I refused leaving Margaery to go talk to Tyrion, she dismissed me from her service anyway. I did everything in my power to stay in Margaery's good graces, and she dismissed me anyway. I did everything Lord Morgryn wanted (and took extra steps to try to work together with him), and Mira's story ended the same way.
I grabbed the medicinal herbs and bandages and used them on Cotter. His story did not change at all. I refused to even touch what's his face on the wall, he died anyway. I refused to escape from the wall, I got shoe horned into it, anyway.
I killed Ludd. I left Gryff alone. I did everything I could for Arthur. I didn't kill Mira's attacker. The story always ended the exact same way.
I feel anything past the first play through is a waste of time. I understand that things like the traitor and Gared getting sent to the wall are aspects of the main story and need to happen, but I don't see the point in specifically having a way to heal Cotter just to have him die anyway. Or why we are given the option to not kill Mira's attacker, but she's going to be accused of it, anyway, and destroy everything I built with Tom in the process. I feel this game gives the illusion of impacting your story, but it's just that: an illusion.
Overall, I highly recommend this game and TellTale as a company. It was very well done. I just don't recommend wasting time with multiple play throughs; which is a shame because it's obvious how much hard work went into this game.
Maybe in Season 2, there could be substantial consequences to one's choices and have it actually effect the game. The description suggests as much, but it just didn't deliver that aspect in my opinion. I understand it's a lot of extra programming, but I would happily pay extra for the extra work and content.
Comments
I agree, telltale should make choices more important. The choice at the end of ep5 is the only choice which leads to slightly different outcomes. Let's hope telltale make choices more important next game.
There's a difference between plot and story.
The choices change the way the game tells the story but they do not change the plot.
I can imagine there being some alternative universe where Telltale puts all the choices they can into their games which change the plot and people would complain about there being too much choice.
I completely agree with you, but then why give us the medicinal herbs for Cotter? At least the choices like that, where they show the intention was there, but there was just no follow through. If the extra things don't change anything, I'd rather not have them included at all. It got my hopes up just to waste about another week (I only allow 1 episode per day so I don't burn out on it). That's one week sooner that I could have been playing the Wolf Among Us (which is next on my list, but was contingent on me finishing my second play through for GoT). It was a major let down for me, and seriously changed the way I viewed this game. It left me saying, "So all of this was literally for nothing?" I suspect that's not the response the game developers were hoping for.
It's important to remember that Gared is no maester, he didn't know what he was doing. And plus Cotter's wound was deep and therefore even with proper care, he would have most likely died anyway.
Just look at it, there's no coming back from that.
Here's some advice, with Telltale, never ever get your hopes up.
I appreciate that. Since this was my first experience with them, I probably won't bother with additional play throughs on other games, but I'm definitely going to play them.
I would recommend always having an alternative playthrough, not only for the choices but to see different dialogue choices too. Maybe even play/look up silent playthroughs they're fun as well.
The trailer and notifications of the final episode said:
Which will be the conclusion to your story?
Fight, Diplomacy, Bargain.
And what do we get? 1 ending.
It could've been nice to see multiple endings.
I'm glad you enjoyed this game, in my opinion, it was pretty good, you should try some other Telltale games if you have the time... (I know playing it with friends Is fun.) The choices usually have not much of an effect on the whole plot, and that is highly applicable for this series in particular. (Also, they were confined to the plot of the actual Game of Thrones Season 4 show. You won't become King and replace Tyrion or anything that has a large impact on GoT overall...)
Other series do change some things, such as in their new Tales from the Borderlands (I highly recommend this, and I knew almost nothing of the source material to begin with), most of your choices come together in the end of the last episode, which allow/prevent you from choosing something that I won't spoil. Yes, in that series the plot ends the same way as well, but... I play Telltale games with the phrase "It is about the journey and not the destination" in mind.
I like the story, and how you can kind of change a few things within it, (whether or not to kill someone, leave at different time of day, etc.) I usually don't go for a second playthrough though, because, yes, I know most of it will be the same. That being said, this "choice has no effect" shouldn't push you away from their other games. They are great storytellers, and you might find something to enjoy. I hope I shed some light on what (usually) happens.
P.S.: Although, this does not mean I hate Telltale, I really love them. I'm sure one day we could get a wider, more expansive story, but I'm ok with what we've got. (To add, they are making a "Super Show" which will be an original story from them. That might let them have more freedom to make their own rules in their own universe.
I'm sorry for the long reply
well be glad they're making a second season, hopefully the choices have more of an important impact there.
definitely have alternate playthoughts with borderlands and walking dead season 2
Yes, but then it'd be more difficult for Season 2 to tie in.