The Game of Thrones RTS plays it safe, and that might be fine

Game of Thrones: War for Westeros has finally gone hands-on, and the biggest surprise is how traditional it feels.

Underneath the HBO licence is a straightforward base-building RTS, much closer to Age of Empires than to a soulless licensed IP. You set up an economy, expand across the map, take territory and raise an army. You win either by holding enough ground or by tearing down your opponent's seat.

Each House plays differently

The preview build offered House Stark and House Lannister across two maps, Greywater Watch and Ashemark. Both sides run on gold, influence and supply, but they earn them in different ways. Stark windmills bring in a steady income all match. Lannister mines pay slightly more, then run dry and have to be replaced.

The Lannisters also have a debt mechanic that lets you spend gold you don't have yet, which is a fast way to fund early expansion. Further up the tree they can hire the Golden Company and field pyromancers armed with wildfire.

The Starks build their strength differently. Push deep enough into the upgrade trees and you can call on the Night's Watch and the Free Folk, alongside direwolves, giants and mammoth riders.

Heroes level up as a match goes on. Jon Snow fights on the front line and rallies the men around him, while Tywin Lannister works as the precise commander coordinating from behind. If one falls, he returns after a delay.

Combat has real weight to it. Cavalry charges plough straight through infantry and send anyone caught in the way flying.

It's still early. Some previewers found the structure too conventional, and one felt the economy got too comfortable once the collectors were running. The field of view and the wall building both drew complaints, though the developer says those are already being addressed. The campaign wasn't playable at all, only skirmishes.

There's promise here regardless. Game of Thrones: War for Westeros arrives in early 2027 on PC via Steam from PlaySide Studios, after slipping from its original 2026 window.

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